DBED report highlights job gains in 2008
MedImmune, Microsoft expansions cited
Numerous companies in Maryland announced expansions in the past year or so that will add jobs in the near future, according to a new report by the state Department of Business and Economic Development.
The largest projects on the list come from biotech MedImmune of Gaithersburg and computer giant Microsoft: Both reported 600-job planned expansions in November in Montgomery County. Defense contractor Northrop Grumman and health care data analytics company MedAssurant each announced 500 new jobs in Anne Arundel County and Bowie, respectively, about a year ago, DBED reported.
The report is based on public announcements of planned expansions by company executives, with most occurring last year. Data may not be complete, officials said.
"Some of the new facilities announced may not yet be in operation, as the time between announcement and occupancy is often many months, and sometimes years," the report says.
The report comes on the heels of increasing announcements of layoffs by employers in Maryland. Companies filed notice with the state for 803 layoffs in January, up 32.5 percent from a year ago. In the week ending Feb. 14, the number of unadjusted initial unemployment claims in Maryland increased 61 percent from the same week a year ago.
Last year, Maryland lost a net 15,100 jobs, its first calendar-year loss in several years, according to U.S. Department of Labor figures.
Last month, state officials said that 13 foreign companies had set up offices in Maryland in the past 10 months and will create as many as 150 jobs over the next few years. The state's location, federal assets and business climate were cited.
"Today's competitive economy demands that Maryland identify innovative and creative ways to tap into new opportunities for growth," DBED Secretary Christian S. Johansson said in a statement.
The new foreign companies include Finnish defense business Environics and Wavebob, an Irish company that produces energy from ocean waves. Environics is creating 20 jobs in Harford County, while Wavebob is adding 15 jobs in Annapolis, DBED reported.
About 105,000 Maryland employees, or 3.5 percent of the workforce, are employed by foreign-owned firms.