Major Employers
Growth That’s Undeniable
Businesses in Howard County are fueled by a labor force renowned for its educational prowess, ranking as one of the highest in the U.S. Coupled with the county’s proximity to federal agencies in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, major employers in cities like Columbia, Elkridge and Ellicott City find a dynamic synergy. Whether it’s pioneers like the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory or tech trailblazers like Verizon, Tenable and Leidos, Howard County major employers illuminate the region’s boundless economic vitality.
Fast Facts
Best Nursing Home in Maryland (Lorien Health)
Best Workplaces for Innovators in the Early Career Category (JHU Applied Physics Laboratory)
Investment by Italian Manufacturer BTS Biogas for U.S. Headquarters
Employment in Howard County
Want a career with one of Howard County’s major employers? Search available roles at Maryland Workforce Exchange.
Major Howard County Employers
From world renowned IT companies to food manufacturers with stellar employee satisfaction ratings, Howard County employers drive opportunity with notable business support and resources.
FDI Goes Further in Howard County
Howard County boasts a thriving landscape for foreign investments. Japanese-owned Shimadzu Scientific Instruments has maintained its American subsidiary in Columbia since 1975 and further expanded in 2019 with a 5,000 square-foot office dedicated to analytical instrument design and support. The company completed an additional expansion in 2024, welcoming a new R&D center that will house scientists and mechanical and design engineers. Since the early 2000s, Nestle Dreyer Grand Ice Cream has built world-wide recognition with its presence in Laurel, MD. More recently, BTS Biogas — an Italian-owned food waste-to-energy company — initiated an up to $40 million investment for their international headquarters at the Maryland Food Center Authority in Jessup. Our Maryland Innovation Center (MIC) also offers a Soft Landing Program that gives international businesses access to scalable offices, business counseling for visas and permits, and legal and financial planning — all in an environment conducive to forging connections within the private and public sectors.
Empowering the Growth of Business
A dynamic focus on workforce development sets Howard County apart, with several agencies providing innovative training solutions to talent. The Howard County Workforce Development provides specialized recruitment services and tailor-made training programs at three centers across the county, while the Maryland Department of Labor’s Workforce Exchange further enriches the landscape by offering a comprehensive searchable database of candidates and training providers, as well as customizable learning pathways for existing and prospective employees.
Featured News + Events
NextGen Founders: Building Howard County’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
This summer, high school and college students gained more than work experience through our 2026 summer internship program. They spent the summer working alongside our business units and Maryland Innovation Center companies while building the skills, connections and confidence to take their next steps. Through the Summer 2026 Youth in Business Series: NextGen Founders, interns also
LIFT Fund Helps Candles by Candy Turn Funding Into Business Growth
Access to capital can help a small business move forward. Pairing that capital with the right guidance can help an entrepreneur decide where to go next. For Candles by Candy, support through our LIFT Microloan Fund provided both. Founder Candace Bell has grown Candles by Candy from a passion for candle making into a Howard
What Howard County Businesses Gain from Business Appreciation Week
Running a business comes with plenty of opportunities and challenges. Business Appreciation Week gives Howard County businesses a direct way to share both with the people working to support the local business community. From September 28 through October 2, 2026, Ambassador teams will visit businesses across Howard County during Business Appreciation Week. The goal is simple: