Maryland as a premier state for biotechnology? You better get used to the idea.

Last year's joint announcement by the Human Genome Project and Celera Genomics about the successful completion of the human genome sequencing effort put Maryland front and center in the mapping of the human genome.

The state has a growing reputation for its strength in bioinformatics and progressive bioscience development. More than 300 bioscience firms and federal institutions are located in Maryland.

Human Genome Sciences lands in Rockville

One company leading the way in the discovery of new drug therapies is Human Genome Sciences Inc., headquartered in Rockville, Md.

Earlier this year, HGS broke ground for two new facilities. The first project is a $250 million research and development and corporate campus. When complete, the new 55-acre campus will hold several inter-connected buildings totaling more than 1 million square feet.

The second project is a large scale manufacturing plant, which will increase the company's total space for clinical production to approximately 200,000 square feet.

"We are especially pleased that the facilities could be located immediately adjacent to our current manufacturing facilities and very close to our research and development campus, also located in Rockville," said William A. Haseltine, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of HGS. "Proximity increases productivity."

MedImmune to open headquarters in Gaithersburg

Research and development facilities aren't the only operations biotech companies are opening in Maryland. In May 2000, MedImmune Inc. announced it would build a new headquarters facility in Gaithersburg. The company's new $70 million facility will provide up to 210,000 square feet of space for research, development, marketing and administration.

Garden State Tanning isn't a biotech company, but it also will move its headquarters to Maryland. The company will open its corporate headquarters in Hagerstown sometime this spring. GST supplies leather for the automotive industry.

"This decision will help create approximately 25 new jobs in Washington County," said Mark Lecher, president of GST. "With our key manufacturing plant and a major cutting operation already in the Williamsport area, this relocation will be a real benefit for our management team and the entire company."

Research organizations find Maryland a prime site

Battelle, a non-profit organization based in Ohio, recently announced plans to locate a new research and development center in Harford County, northeast of Baltimore. The $22 million, 73,000 square foot facility will house 200 science and technology staff. The company serves industry and government in developing new technologies and products.

Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and Fujitsu Laboratories of America will establish a new research institute for advanced computer technology in College Park.

Maryland Facts & Contacts

DEMOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY

Population: 5.2 million

Capital: Annapolis

Three Largest Cities: Baltimore, 632,681; Frederick, 48,710; Gaithersburg, 48,395

GSP: $165 billion

Per Capita Income: $32,465

Percentage of Private Manufacturing Labor Force Organized: 20.9%

Right to Work State: no

Unemployment Rate: 4.4% (October 2001)

Average Hourly Manufacturing Wage: $14.80

Population Age 25 and Over With a Bachelor's Degree or More: Baltimore, 15.5%; Frederick, 24.0%; Gaithersburg, 39.6%

Corporate Income Tax Rate: 7.0%

Percentage Employment by Sector: construction, 6.4%; manufacturing, 7.2%; mining, 0.1%; service industries, 34.5%; transportation/public utilities, 4.8%; wholesale/retail, 23.0%

Primary Industries: manufacturing, agriculture, services, tourism

Targeted Industries: life sciences/biotechnology, telecommunications, information technologies, manufacturing (technology driven), aerospace, health services, financial and professional services, minority business, international trade

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Major Financial Incentives: Maryland Economic Development Assistance and Authority Fund; Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority; Challenge Investment Program; Enterprise Investment Fund; Maryland Venture Capital Trust; Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority; Maryland Competitive Advantage Financing Fund; Sunny

Day Fund; Job Creation Tax Credits; One Maryland Economic Development Tax Credits; Enterprise Zones Tax Credits

Worker Training Programs: Maryland Industrial Training Program; Partnership for Workforce Quality

Technology Transfer Programs: Information available through the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, Division of Regional Development

Enterprise Zones: 34

Foreign Trade Zones: 3

International Trade Offices and Locations: Netherlands, China, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Israel, South Africa, Taiwan

Environmental Permit Assistance: Maryland's Business License Information System (BLIS); (410) 767-8833 or http://www.blis.state.md.us

QUALITY OF LIFE

Price for a New 2,400-sq.-ft. Home: Baltimore, $182,000

Cost of Living Index: Baltimore, 95.9

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

David S. Iannucci, Secretary, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, 217 East Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, (800) 541-8549, fax: (410) 333-6792,

Web: www.choosemaryland.org