Columbia Gateway Welcomes 3 Federal Contractors

COLUMBIA, MD - Three federal contractors are relocating to Columbia from Anne Arundel County.

The Columbia Gateway will now be home to Aerode Management Solutions, an IT company for businesses; D&A Technical Services, a structural design firm; and Epitome Technologies, which provides helpdesk support.

Howard County offered a place for the companies seeking a place to relocate after Anne Arundel County closed its tech incubator, the Chesapeake Innovation Center in Odenton, on June 30, according to a statement from Howard County government.

According to The Capital, Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh chose to close the innovation center to make money for tax cuts.

Epitome Technologies CEO Lavan Gangisetty said that Howard County stood ready to assist.

"They stepped right up to help us find a new place,” Gangisetty said. “Howard County has been very supportive, helping our small business work through this challenging time."

Howard County has been working to attract more businesses and networking at Columbia Gateway, which is home to more than 400 businesses and 26,000 employees. It announced in February that the Howard County Economic Development Authority would be managing the Howard County Innovation Center at Columbia Gateway to attract investments and expand the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship.

“Our goal is to develop Gateway as an Innovation District, with the Howard County Innovation Center right in the middle of it," Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said. "I imagine a place where pioneering and ambitious small businesses have the opportunity to engage with some of the county’s largest anchor institutions.”

Howard County officials announced the move of the three businesses this week to Columbia Gateway, an 884-acre industrial and office park near Interstate 95 at MD 175 that contains a blend of established companies and startups.

“We envision the Innovation Center as not only a place where you start a business, but also a place for you to learn how to grow and expand your business,” Howard County Economic Development Authority CEO Lawrence Twele said in a statement. "We want all of the business owners in Howard County to have access to the resources they need to succeed."

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