KBR, a global consulting, technology, and engineering solutions firm, is planning to expand its operations in Howard County, Maryland. The project is expected to create 48 jobs over the next five years.

The Houston-based company has signed a lease for 65,000 square-feet at Maple Lawn that will serve as its regional office and expand its existing space on Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Currently, KBR has more than 1,700 employees in Maryland and operates independent office locations internationally in more than 40 countries.

“Maple Lawn is a special community which offers unique benefits for KBR,” stated Michael Greenebaum, president of Greenebaum Enterprises. “We are a true mixed-use community with residential options, retail amenities, and great proximity to state and federal institutions such as Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab and NSA. We look forward to welcoming KBR to the Maple Lawn Business District as they will be joining other major corporations such as Raytheon Solipsys, Cisco Systems, New Day USA, MOSAIC Technologies Group and Window Nation. We have become a distinctive corporate address.”

Located approximately 22 miles from Baltimore and 30 miles from Washington, D.C, Maple Lawn, a mixed-use community being developed by St. John Properties, Inc. and master developer Greenebaum Enterprises. The property comprises 1.8 million square feet of commercial office and retail space; as well as a residential community.

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

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 (HCEDA) has approved a $50,000 conditional loan as well.

“Due to the COVID pandemic, our county’s, state’s, and nation’s economy is facing unprecedented challenges,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “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.”