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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Rocket Lab USA Plans Middle River, Maryland, Space Structures Operations

11/23/2023
Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a global leader in launch and space systems, plans to establish operations at the former Lockheed Martin Vertical Launch Building in Middle River, Maryland. The project is expected to create 65 jobs over the next two years.

The company will renovate 113,000 square-feet of space located at 2323 Eastern Boulevard where it will develop and manufacture carbon-composite spacecraft buses, structural panels and assemblies, satellite dispensers, aeroshell and heat shields, composite overwrap pressure vessels, solar panel substrates, launch vehicle structures and more.

“Rocket Lab is a world leader in advanced composites through our launch and spacecraft programs, so this is a natural progression as we continue growing our space systems offering,” said Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Beck. “We have the experienced team, manufacturing and test equipment, established supply chain, and heritage to deliver reliable composite products to the space industry at scale, and because we’re deeply vertically integrated, we can do it fast and at competitive prices. We’re incredibly excited to bring advanced Rocket Lab composite products to market for our customers. We’re grateful for the support from the State of Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland Department of Commerce, Governor Moore, Senator Cardin and Senator Van Hollen, Congressman Ruppersberger and others who have welcomed us to the state. We look forward to building a bright future in aerospace manufacturing together.”

The Maryland Department of Commerce is providing a $1.56 million repayable loan through the Advantage Maryland program. The company is also eligible for various other incentives and tax credits, including the Partnership for Workforce Quality program, the More Jobs for Marylanders program, and the state's Job Creation Tax Credit.

“It is a great opportunity for us to assist with Rocket Lab’s entrance into Baltimore County,” noted Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “With our state’s close proximity to several federal and defense agencies, combined with Maryland’s abundance of talented tech and engineering workers, this facility is sure to bring much success to both Rocket Lab and Maryland’s innovative space industry.”

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that provides satellite design and manufacturing, space software and components, and reliable launch services to a wide range of customers including NASA, the U.S. Space Force, and the National Reconnaissance Office. The company has headquarters in Long Beach, California, a launch site in Wallops, Virginia, and manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada.

“We are fully committed to building a stronger economy, generating new jobs, and supporting our local workforce,” added Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “Rocket Lab’s planned renovation to the former Lockheed Martin site in Middle River will honor our region’s history of engineering and innovation while ensuring that our partnership leads to more job opportunities for our residents and communities.”

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