Why Howard County
Strategy Drives Howard County
Nestled between the thriving hubs of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Howard County offers unparalleled business support as well as unbeatable quality of life for residents. Rub shoulders with Fortune 500 companies and foster collaboration amongst a community of visionaries at incubators like HCEDA’s Maryland Innovation Center. With Howard County’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values, businesses of all sizes find support for their sustainability goals and responsible practices, making the region an ideal environment for investment opportunities and rewarding careers. Howard County is also home to globally-renowned open spaces and parks, technologically advanced healthcare centers and the top-rated school district in the state of Maryland. So if you’re ready to do business in one of the greenest communities in the U.S. that supports both collaboration and healthy living, you’ll find it in Central Maryland.
Investment Opportunities for Businesses
Adjacent to Downtown Columbia and near the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, the Columbia Gateway Innovation District is a successful office park and a 1,000+ acre development primed for mixed-use office and residential space.
Major Employers
From national telecommunication companies to the nation’s largest university-affiliated research center, businesses in Howard County seek and find some of the most highly educated talent in the U.S.
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Howard County Map
See the communities, amenities and transportation infrastructure that make up Howard County.
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Howard County Business Directory
With nurturing communities and a variety of resources for entrepreneurs, startups and growing enterprises, the HCEDA helps you get from business plan to business expansion.
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Taxes & Incentives
Growing your business comes with its perks in Howard County, from property tax credits for hiring new team members to a state refundable Small Business Relief Tax Credit for paid sick and safe leave.
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Current Business Trends
Regardless of business type or stage, the HCEDA and the Maryland Department of Commerce offer equitable funding for your enterprise, whether you’re a growth-oriented small businesses looking for low interest loans or a startup seeking capital to commercialize new technological advancements.
Learn MoreWorkforce & Demographics
A workforce of more than two million highly educated individuals live within a 30-mile radius of Howard County, with additional workforce development tools through the Office of Workforce Development and continuing education at award winning local colleges.
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ESG Commitment
As the “Greenest Community in Maryland,” Howard County is committed to doing more than just talking about ESG investments. We’re taking action to ensure corporate responsibility in our community.
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NextGen Founders: Building Howard County’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
This summer, high school and college students gained more than work experience through our 2026 summer internship program. They spent the summer working alongside our business units and Maryland Innovation Center companies while building the skills, connections and confidence to take their next steps. Through the Summer 2026 Youth in Business Series: NextGen Founders, interns also
LIFT Fund Helps Candles by Candy Turn Funding Into Business Growth
Access to capital can help a small business move forward. Pairing that capital with the right guidance can help an entrepreneur decide where to go next. For Candles by Candy, support through our LIFT Microloan Fund provided both. Founder Candace Bell has grown Candles by Candy from a passion for candle making into a Howard
What Howard County Businesses Gain from Business Appreciation Week
Running a business comes with plenty of opportunities and challenges. Business Appreciation Week gives Howard County businesses a direct way to share both with the people working to support the local business community. From September 28 through October 2, 2026, Ambassador teams will visit businesses across Howard County during Business Appreciation Week. The goal is simple: