From Niagara to Ottawa: International Growth Opportunities

HCEDA led a dynamic international delegation with County Executive Ball to Niagara, Toronto and Ottawa to strengthen partnerships in cybersecurity, IT, agtech and food processing.

At Toronto Tech Week 2025, Executive Ball delivered a keynote on how local partnerships drive global opportunity—positioning Howard County as a strategic gateway for Canadian tech companies entering the U.S. market.

Special thanks to our partners from Howard County Government, Workforce Development, Howard Community College and local businesses Foodco USA, Cyberlinx Solutions and Sentinel Forge Technologies.

Together, we’re advancing cross-border collaboration, supporting exporters and attracting foreign direct investment to Howard County.

Niagara: Exploring Innovation in AgTech and Food Processing 

The first stop on the mission was Niagara, where HCEDA, in partnership with the Niagara Region and local innovation institutions, engaged with leaders in agriculture, food processing, advanced manufacturing and clean technology. The delegation toured cutting-edge technology centers and research institutions focused on food safety, sustainable agriculture and prototyping. These conversations opened the door for potential collaborations in product development, workforce training and technology exchange.

A key highlight of the Niagara visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Niagara Falls Innovation Hub and Howard County. The MOU establishes a shared commitment to advance economic development across sectors, foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices, attract companies into each other’s ecosystems and jointly develop a skilled workforce. The agreement also outlines opportunities for collaborative initiatives in agritech, positioning both regions for innovation-driven growth and global competitiveness.

Toronto: Showcasing Howard County at Toronto Tech Week 

In Toronto, the delegation participated in Toronto Tech Week, a citywide celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. Executive Ball’s keynote remarks positioned Howard County as a leading hub for international tech expansion, highlighting its proximity to Washington, D.C., access to federal agencies and strong ecosystem of business support.

The delegation also used this opportunity to meet with Canadian business leaders and accelerators to better understand how Howard County can help support soft landings for companies interested in expanding to the U.S. market.

Ottawa: Building Cybersecurity Connections

The final leg of the mission took place in Ottawa, where HCEDA, in partnership with Invest Ottawa, hosted a forum connecting two leading cybersecurity ecosystems. With both cities located near national defense agencies—the NSA in Maryland and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security in Ottawa—the event explored opportunities for cross-border collaboration, joint ventures and shared research.

A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed between Invest Ottawa and Howard County. The LOI outlines a commitment to share knowledge and best practices, align strategies on policy development, attract companies into each other’s ecosystems and collaborate on building a skilled workforce. It also affirms the intention to establish future business opportunities and support the expansion of companies across both regions.

The forum brought together companies, innovation hubs and government partners to discuss how early-stage and growth-oriented cybersecurity firms can access new markets and leverage each region’s resources. The conversation also included pathways for Canadian companies to establish a U.S. presence through Howard County’s robust network of business resources and support services.