HoCo Business Expands, Adds Positions In Columbia

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — KBR, a global consulting, technology and engineering solutions firm, plans to expand its operations in Howard County through the consolidation and relocation of 320 full-time jobs and the creation of an additional 48 new jobs in the next five years. Houston-based KBR has signed a lease for 65,000 square feet of space at Maple Lawn that will serve as its regional office and expand its existing space on Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Currently, the company has more than 1,700 employees in Maryland and operates independent office locations internationally in more than 40 countries.

“We are excited to see that a global company like KBR is expanding and continuing to invest in our state,” Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz said in a statement. “With this consolidation, the company has shown its dedication to growing Maryland’s business community by providing excellent jobs for our local workforce.”

“Due to the COVID pandemic, our county’s, state’s and nation’s economy is facing unprecedented challenges,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement. “We are very fortunate that companies like KBR are expanding, creating new jobs and further cementing their footprint in Howard County. As one of the nation’s best educated, healthiest and sustainable communities, Howard County continues to be the premiere spot for new and expanding businesses in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan region. On behalf of the residents of Howard County, we are thankful for KBR’s investment in our community and proudly welcome their expansion.”

To assist with project costs related to the project, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $500,000 conditional loan contingent on job creation and capital investment, and the company is eligible for additional state assistance, including the job creation tax credit. The Howard County Economic Development Authority has approved a $50,000 conditional loan as well.

KBR leased space in 8120 Maple Lawn Boulevard, a four-story building comprising 103,755 square feet of class A commercial office space. Maple Lawn, a mixed-use community being developed by St. John Properties, Inc. and master developer Greenebaum Enterprises, is located at the intersection of MD Route 29 and MD Route 216 in Fulton. Maple Lawn is comprised of 1.8 million square feet of commercial office and retail space, as well as an award-winning residential community including a variety of housing options, community center and 180 acres of open space. Maple Lawn is located approximately 22 miles from Baltimore and 30 miles from Washington, D.C.