St. Mary's County is situated on a peninsula in Southern Maryland with over 500 miles of shoreline on the Patuxent River, Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The Naval Air Station Patuxent River, employing 20,200 military, civilians and defense contractors, is home to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), including the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). With over 200 high-tech defense contractors, the county has emerged as a world-class center for maritime aviation research, development, testing and evaluation.

The area combines access to technology with a rich heritage and a myriad of outdoor opportunities. The county's location allows for easy access to major metropolitan areas while offering residents a high quality of life and affordable lifestyles. St. Mary's County's 1,960 businesses employ 27,000 workers; an estimated 37 of these businesses have 100 or more workers. Businesses include BAE Systems, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, L-3, Northrop Grumman, Wyle Laboratories and many others. Non-defense employers include the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, St. Mary's Hospital and St. Mary's College of Maryland. The Lexington Park area has been designated a State Enterprise Zone, affording a number of incentives for expanding businesses.

For additional information, download the 4-page Brief Economic Facts for the county.
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