| BALTIMORE, MD Thu, Jul 10, 2008 Maryland economic development officials will join Howard County and local companies to promote the State’s aerospace and defense industries at the 60th anniversary of the Farnborough International Air Show, which kicks off July 14 and runs through July 20 in Farnborough, England. The delegation, which includes seven Maryland aerospace and defense companies and officials from the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, will be exhibiting in the Maryland Pavilion.
“Home to the nation’s highest percentage of professional and technical workers and an exceptional confluence of federal agencies, facilities, higher education institutions and businesses, Maryland is well-equipped to provide aerospace and defense companies with the resources and workforce they need to succeed,” said Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary David W. Edgerley. “This exhibition is one of the best opportunities to not only increase Maryland’s visibility in the global market, but also promote the State’s outstanding climate for aerospace and defense to international companies looking to expand.”
Considered one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, Farnborough gives Maryland and its local partners a unique opportunity to meet with top-level executives from the world’s largest aerospace and defense firms to attract foreign investment projects, increase exports from Maryland manufacturers and service providers, explore transatlantic partnerships, generate projects for Maryland’s federal facilities and increase brand recognition of the Maryland region and infrastructure. Maryland, one of a number of U.S states participating this year, will be exhibiting alongside more than 1,400 exhibitors from more than 38 countries. Nearly 300,000 visitors are expected during the exhibition, which is held every two years by the Society of British Aerospace Companies.
Maryland is continuing to build its reputation as a leader in the aerospace and defense industries. In addition to its well-qualified workforce, Maryland offers the benefit of close proximity to many federal agencies, like the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Security Agency, NASA Goddard, National Institutes of Health, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Patuxent River Naval Air Station and Aberdeen Proving Ground. NASA’s second largest spending operation with some 12,000 scientists, engineers and support personnel is Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. In addition, as Maryland implements the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations, the State’s role in homeland security and national defense will be significantly enhanced by an influx of Department of Defense programs and associated defense contractors.
Maryland is also home to a number of the world’s major aerospace and defense companies, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems Division, BAE Systems, ATK, ARINC, Orbital Sciences, SAIC, Battelle, General Dynamics and Hughes Network Systems.
This year, Maryland will be traveling to Farnborough with a record number of local partners, with many companies attending for the first time. In addition to Howard County and Naval Air Systems Command, the companies attending include Compass Systems (St. Mary’s County); Technical Systems Integration Inc. (St. Mary’s County); SURVICE Engineering Company (Harford County); Burntside Partners (Montgomery County); American Dynamics Flight Systems (Howard County); Automated Precision Inc. (Montgomery County) and NMR Consulting (Anne Arundel County). Many of these companies also received Export MD grants from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to help defray the costs of the exhibition.
"Aircraft components, aviation and avionics are growing industry sectors in Howard County,” said Richard W. Story, Chief Executive Officer of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “In support of that sector, we are pleased to partner with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development with the marketing mission in Farnborough."
"As a leader in the field of system safety, survivability and effectiveness, SURVICE Engineering is eager to explore foreign markets for our innovative products and services and we want to thank the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development for this exceptional opportunity to be part of the Farnborough contingent,” said Jeff Foulk, President of SURVICE Engineering Company in Harford County.
ABOUT DBED:
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit www.choosemaryland.org.
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