Stronger for the Future

Dear Commerce Friends and Partners,

It is my great pleasure to share with you the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Fiscal 2022 Annual Report, which provides an overview of the fantastic work our team has done over the past year to ensure Maryland remains a vibrant and welcoming place to do business. With the worst days of the COVID-19 pandemic finally behind us, Commerce focused this year on attracting many new businesses to the state, retaining existing businesses, and helping to bring new jobs. And I’m proud to say we did it all with a commitment to providing the best customer service. We announced major new employers such as Hitachi Rail in Washington County, Niagara Bottling in Baltimore County and the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Prince George’s County, and celebrated the expansions of companies such as Miltenyi Biotec in Montgomery County, Medifast in Harford County, Penguin Random House in Carroll County, and Outlook Enterprises in Baltimore City, to name just a few. Commerce’s international team continued to show the world that Maryland is “Open for Business” by sending delegations to several international trade shows and announcing our expanded Maryland Global Gateway program, which will help attract emerging foreign businesses to our state. We continued our steadfast support of Maryland’s tourism industry and arts community, and both saw strong recoveries this year; we also welcomed a pair of major film projects to the state. Under the bold leadership and vision of Governor Larry Hogan, we have transformed Maryland’s relationship to its business community over the past eight years. Rather than hinder businesses with excessive regulation and taxes, we’ve shown that state government can nurture and support the private sector, particularly entrepreneurs and small businesses. As the Hogan administration draws to a close, so does my tenure as Secretary of Commerce. While some of us are approaching the finish, on the verge of completing the journey we began eight years ago, the critical work of the Maryland Department of Commerce will continue. I know that we’ll be leaving Commerce in the care of a passionate, dedicated team and that the great work we’ve done together will continue well into the future. I hope you’re all as proud of what we’ve accomplished as I am.

Keep up the great work! Mike Gill Secretary Maryland Department of Commerce

MARYLAND