ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 13, 2008) - Governor Martin O'Malley today signed legislation authorizing the creation of BRAC Zones to accommodate growth resulting from military base realignment and closure. The BRAC Community Enhancement Act makes available financial incentives to local governments to provide necessary infrastructure to encourage BRAC-related businesses and households to locate within existing locally designated state priority funding areas.

BALTIMORE, MD (May 8, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the schedule of events for the 25th Annual National Tourism week celebration in Maryland. Maryland joins hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide in the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)’s annual salute to travel and tourism in America during National Tourism Week, May 10-18.

BALTIMORE, MD (May 7, 2008) – In partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Governor Martin O’Malley has proclaimed May 5-9 as “Invest in America Week” in Maryland. The new initiative, in which 18 U.S. states, including Maryland, are participating in this week, recognizes the significant impact that foreign direct investment plays in the nation’s economic growth and job creation.

BALTIMORE, MD (April 25, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced Maryland’s new spring tourism campaign, which promotes the pure beauty of the State as well as the ease of access for visitors with the tagline “Pretty. Close.” Officially launched on April 23, the campaign showcases the diversity of Maryland’s landscapes with images of beaches, the Chesapeake Bay, natural and theme parks as well as bustling downtown neighborhoods.

BALTIMORE, MD (April 16, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that My Ad Box Inc., a Baltimore-based technology company specializing in developing proprietary integrated messaging systems, has received a $50,000 investment from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). The company, which previously received $100,000 in funding from DBED, is an incubator company located in the Emerging Technology Centers.

BALTIMORE, MD (April 10, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that My One and Only, a feature film starring Renee Zellweger, will begin shooting in Maryland for eight weeks beginning next month. Set in the 1950s, and expected to be almost entirely shot in the Baltimore area, My One and Only tells the story of glamorous divorcee Ann Deveraux’s (Zellweger) road trip in search of a wealthy husband.

BALTIMORE, MD (April 3, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley announced today that Akonni Biosystems, a molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets microarray-based systems for infectious disease and genetic testing, has received a $200,000 investment from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).

BALTIMORE (April 1, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), in partnership with the Maryland State Archives, today announced that the State House Visitors Center will be closed effective April 7, 2008 while the Maryland State House undergoes extensive renovations. During the construction, which is expected to be completed later this year, visitors to Annapolis will be directed to the House of Delegates Office Building at 6 Bladen Street, or the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau (AAACCVB) located at 26 West Street for information, literature, guided tours or restroom facilities.

BALTIMORE (March 25, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), in conjunction with the State Highway Administration (SHA), today announced that Maryland’s I-70 East and Westbound Welcome Centers will be closed to travelers effective April 30 for reconstruction. A plan is underway to redirect travelers during the closure to a site within Prime Outlets Hagerstown, one of the top tourism destinations in Western Maryland with more than 4.5 million shopping visits annually. However, the plan is conditional upon the approval next month by the Board of Public Works.

BALTIMORE (March 24, 2008) – The Maryland Office of Tourism Development has released its 2008 edition of Destination Maryland: The Official Guide to Maryland State Travel. This free full-color magazine contains a variety of fun-filled features and itineraries; listings for more than 2,000 tourism attractions, state and national parks, lodging, and tour and travel services; plus a “Maryland Welcome! Passport” good for up to $2,500 in savings at 250 participating attractions, restaurants, retailers and accommodations.

BALTIMORE, MD (March 19, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced the members of the Maryland Commission on Public Art, which is charged with implementing the State’s first formal public art program through community sculptures, murals and other works. Although created by legislation in 2005, the Commission was inactive until the O’Malley-Brown Transition Report identified it as a key initiative to move forward.

BALTIMORE, MD (March 10, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the state has provided a $300,000 conditional loan to assist in the expansion of iBiquity Digital Corporation in Howard County. The loan, made through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, will be used in conjunction with a local match of $30,000 from Howard County to help in the relocation and expansion of the company’s headquarters in Columbia, Md.

BALTIMORE, MD (March 5, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Zenoss, a growing technology company, has received a $250,000 investment from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). The Annapolis-based company, which is considered a leading developer of IT management software solutions and commercial open source systems management, will use the State funds for growing its sales and marketing efforts.

BALTIMORE, MD (February 28, 2008) – Continuing his support of small and minority-owned businesses in Maryland, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that the state has approved a $250,000 grant to help establish a new revolving loan fund in Prince George’s County. The grant, which will be administered through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), will be used to provide working capital to Prince George’s County’s small and minority-owned businesses engaged in government contracting or development projects.

BALTIMORE, MD (February 22, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Baltimore-based Grand Brands, Inc., a natural food and beverage company known for its True Lemon and True Lime products, has received $156,250 in financing through the Enterprise Fund, a program of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).

BALTIMORE, MD (February 19, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that Maryland exports climbed to a record high of $8.9 billion in 2007, an almost 18 percent increase over $7.6 billion in 2006.

BALTIMORE, MD (February 14, 2008) – Governor Martin O'Malley today announced that "Step Up 2 The Streets," the Maryland-made sequel to the blockbuster 2006 Touchstone Pictures’/Summit Entertainment sensation "Step Up," opens in theatres nationwide today.

Baltimore, MD (February 7, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development today announced that it has approved a $50,000 investment in Sirnaomics, Inc., a Gaithersburg-based drug discovery and targeted therapeutics company.

BALTIMORE, MD (February 7, 2008) – In celebration of the 10th annual Maryland Arts Day, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that 97 Maryland artists have been selected to receive Individual Artist Awards totaling $250,000 from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 29, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to launch the Chesapeake Crescent Initiative, a unique partnership designed to increase the region’s global competitiveness.

BALTIMORE, MD (January 16, 2008) – Demonstrating his continued commitment to Maryland’s Arts community, Governor Martin O’Malley today announced that he has proposed a $16.475 million operating budget for the Maryland State Arts Council, an 8.4 percent increase from last fiscal year. The additional funding, which is included in the Governor’s FY 09 budget released today, would be used to expand access to the Arts, audience development, awareness and artistic excellence for all Marylanders.

BALTIMORE, MD (January 16, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) has approved a $50,000 investment for Neuronascent, Inc., a small-molecule drug development company based in Clarksville, Md. The investment will be made through DBED’s Challenge Investment Fund, a program that assists small start-up companies in the high technology sector.

BALTIMORE, MD (January 15, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) today announced the expansion of two of the State’s Enterprise Zones located in Baltimore City and Cecil County. The expansions will help revitalize and stabilize communities by attracting new businesses, retaining jobs and providing incentives for employers to create new jobs.

BALTIMORE, MD (January 8, 2008) - The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) today announced the appointment of Robert L. Walker as Director of International Trade and Investment. Walker’s impressive list of credentials includes 20 years of senior level experience in both the public and private sectors.

BALTIMORE, MD (January 2, 2008) - The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has approved a $1.3 million grant to fund the development of a new industrial park in Crisfield. When completed, the park is expected to bring 75 new full-time jobs to the area, as well as retain 60 current jobs, helping to offset job losses from the decline of the seafood harvesting and processing industry.