Why Anne Arundel
Anne Arundel County is a prime destination for business growth and investment.
Ideally located between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, the county offers direct access to two global gateways, a highly educated workforce, and a robust, diversified economy.
With an AAA bond rating, growing demand for industrial and flex space, and an exceptional quality of life along the Chesapeake Bay, businesses of all sizes continue to choose Anne Arundel County to start, scale, and succeed.
Explore Anne Arundel County
Discover key business districts, transportation assets, and opportunity areas across the county.
Anne Arundel Is A Thriving Business Hub
69.9B
GDP
67K+
businesses across all sectors
602K+
residents and growing
124K+
median household income
300K+
workers
Home to Major Economic Assets
As the heart of the nation’s cyber security efforts and the hub for interstate, intrastate, and international transportation, Anne Arundel County is home to several critical statewide and national assets.
Amazon Logistics
A major driver of regional logistics and e-commerce operations, supporting fast, efficient distribution across the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
One of the nation’s busiest airports, providing extensive domestic and international connectivity for businesses, travelers, and cargo operations.
City of Annapolis
Maryland’s historic capital city blending government leadership, maritime heritage, and a vibrant downtown business and tourism economy.
Fort George G. Meade
The second-largest Army installation in the United States, Fort Meade is home to more than 12,000 service members and Maryland’s largest single employer with more than 64,000 jobs across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. The Fort is a national hub for defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity, containing more than 120 partner agencies and serving as headquarters for the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency. The Fort is not only a major economic driver in the region and the state, but also the foundation of the region’s powerful innovation ecosystem.
Two Premier Healthcare Institutions
Home to leading healthcare systems delivering advanced inpatient care, preventative medicine, and medical innovation. Luminis Health provides comprehensive, high-quality care while supporting a strong life sciences and healthcare workforce, and the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center serves as a top regional medical center, anchoring clinical excellence and healthcare advancement in the county.
National Business Park
A premier mixed-use business community near Fort Meade, home to technology, defense, and cybersecurity companies.
Northrop Grumman
A global aerospace and defense leader with major operations driving innovation in cybersecurity, defense systems, and advanced technologies.
The Arundel Mills Entertainment District
A premier hub for shopping, dining, hospitality, and entertainment that attracts millions of visitors each year, anchored by Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel, making it Maryland’s largest retail and entertainment destination.
United States Naval Academy
A world-renowned institution educating future leaders of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps while contributing significantly to the local economy.
Key Industries
Anne Arundel County is home to a diverse mix of critical industries that drive today’s economy and emerging sectors poised for future growth.
Travel & Tourism
Anne Arundel County is a premier tourism destination, offering over 500 miles of scenic shorelines, rich history, and a vibrant mix of waterfront experiences, shopping, entertainment, and culture that attract visitors year-round.
Quality of Life
From its strong career opportunities and top-tier education to its vibrant neighborhoods and community services, Anne Arundel County offers an exceptional quality of life.
The City of Annapolis
Centuries of Success
Planned and built as a capital city more than 300 years ago, the City of Annapolis blends historic strength with modern economic vitality. Its longstanding foundations in government, education, maritime, hospitality, and commerce continue to thrive alongside growing technology, healthcare, retail, and professional services sectors.
Diverse Business Opportunities
Annapolis offers a unique mix of historic charm and modern infrastructure that supports businesses of nearly every size and industry. From brick-lined streets in the Historic District to state-of-the-art developments, companies benefit from flexible spaces, strong foot traffic, and a highly desirable quality of life that attracts talent and investment.
Strong Maritime Community
With 17 miles of waterfront along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is a national hub for boating, sailing, marine services, and waterfront commerce. The city’s deep-rooted maritime economy supports recreation, tourism, supply chains, and global events, earning its reputation as America’s Sailing Capital while driving steady business activity year-round.
Legendary Arts and Culture
Long known as the “Athens of America,” Annapolis boasts a vibrant creative economy built on centuries of performance, craftsmanship, and cultural excellence. Today, galleries, theaters, festivals, live music, and culinary innovation create constant energy downtown, fueling tourism, entrepreneurship, and a dynamic marketplace for local businesses.
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Success Stories
“Anne Arundel County allows us to efficiently serve customers across Maryland and the broader DMV with convenient access to transportation hubs like BWI Airport. We’ve also benefited from the County’s strong regional workforce and are proud to partner with local apprenticeship programs to help grow that workforce locally. Just as important, AAEDC has been incredibly supportive in helping us get established and connecting us with other local businesses that have already contributed to our growth.”
Rich McNulty
Critical Peake Services & Blue Whale EV
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Success Stories
“Vision Technologies owes its success to our people, and for 25+ years, Anne Arundel County has been the best place for us to find and retain great professionals. As a resident of the Broadneck Peninsula for over a decade, my connection here is personal—from coaching Broadneck Area Youth Sports (BAYS) to seeing my family and extended family thrive in our local schools. The proximity to all levels of government, support from local programs, the nearby tech communities, and a family friendly atmosphere have provided the perfect environment for Vision Technologies to grow. We’re proud to call this county and state home as we focus on building solutions for smart spaces.”
Drew Sherman, President
Vision Technologies
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Success Stories
“The State of Maryland’s continued investment in the Supa‑CRAB expansion enables Intuitive Machines to grow our Mechanisms and Robotics Center of Excellence and advance the mission‑critical systems behind just about anything that moves on the lunar surface. Anne Arundel County provides the local infrastructure and supportive environment that allow this growth to take root. This drives new job creation, strengthens the advanced engineering capabilities we are building in the region, and enriches the local community, broader space industry, and ultimately the nation.”
Matt Ashmore, Mechanisms Lead
Intuitive Machines
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Success Stories
“Anne Arundel County has a highly skilled and talented workforce, provides a great quality of life to its residents, and is ideally located with easy access to both Baltimore and Washington, DC. The ‘Heart of Maryland’ has been extremely beneficial to the development of Eccalon’s extensive R&D portfolio— from artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity, and from advanced manufacturing and novel materials science to biopharma and emerging technologies. This is the result of a government that works for its people and continues to prioritize and invest in education, creating an environment where innovation is advanced and long-term economic growth happens.”
Andre Gudger, Founder & CEO
Eccalon
Looking for Market Insights?
Explore AAEDC’s interactive data tools and economic reports, including our popular bi-monthly New and Expanding Businesses list, to better understand the market and make informed investment business decisions.