AGP Executive Report

Grocery M&A: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, keeping Giant Eagle’s name and expanding its footprint across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana; the deal is expected to close in 2027 after antitrust review. State Spending: Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved the state’s $48.5 million purchase of Laurel Park Race Track, positioning it for redevelopment into a year-round horse training facility as Pimlico undergoes renovations. Disability Services: Maryland delayed parts of planned Developmental Disabilities Administration changes, giving temporary relief to families using self-directed services, but advocates warn wage cuts, hour limits and licensing requirements are still coming. Markets & Economy: Wall Street mostly rose, but tech dragged the Nasdaq lower as investors digested manufacturing data and watched Treasury yields. Food Price-Fixing Fallout: A multistate settlement in an egg price manipulation case includes $3.3 million and tens of millions of donated eggs, with Maryland among the states involved. Business Disruption/Logistics: With Independence Day on Saturday, U.S. stock markets and banks/post offices will be closed on July 3 or July 4 depending on the service, and mail delivery will be affected. Tech & Health: Bethesda-based CorVista Health won an AMA Category III CPT code tied to AI analysis for potential coronary artery disease and related conditions, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Grocery M&A: Kroger has agreed to buy Giant Eagle in a $1.65 billion deal, expanding its reach across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic (including Maryland). The acquisition—Kroger’s first major one since its Albertsons merger collapsed in 2024—is expected to close in 2027, with Kroger saying it plans price cuts on thousands of items using imports and technology. Local Business & Travel: Breeze Airways is launching its first nonstop from Salisbury (SBY) to Fort Lauderdale, giving Delmarva travelers a closer alternative to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington or Norfolk. Public Safety & City Economy: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says the city logged 50 homicides in the first half of 2026, the fewest for that period on record, alongside declines in non-fatal shootings. Water Governance: Baltimore leaders unveiled a charter amendment to modernize the city’s water system by separating the Bureau of Water and Wastewater from DPW, aiming for more transparency and equity. Small Business Spotlight: Severna Park student Izzy Maly, founder of Dutchy Poofs, received an SBA student entrepreneur honor for her Dutch mini-pancake business.

Housing & Development: Lancaster County’s biggest apartment boom in 30 years is moving from plans to dirt work, with Willow Valley aiming to start foundation work on the Mosaic high-rise downtown this fall and begin vertical construction before next July, targeting first move-ins in 2029. Local History & Community: Scottdale’s Historical Society is spotlighting the borough’s 150-plus years—from the Baltimore and Ohio Railway to its manufacturing heyday—through events that keep local heritage alive. Courts & Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court is taking up challenges to state rifle restrictions, setting up a major Second Amendment showdown that also revives questions about Maryland’s own modern sporting rifle ban. Health Insurance Access: A new national survey warns that nearly half of behavioral health clinicians are dropping or considering dropping commercial insurance plans, citing low reimbursement and confusing billing denials—an issue that hits affordability in Maryland too. Higher Ed Finance: With graduate loan caps due to take effect, financial aid administrators say last-minute federal guidance and a court pause are still leaving schools uncertain about which programs qualify and how much students can borrow. Food & Antitrust: The DOJ and 17 states reached settlements with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing, including $3.3 million in penalties and 53 million donated eggs. Baltimore Business & Tourism: Talbot’s outgoing economic development and tourism director, Cassandra Vanhooser, is being credited with major upgrades including Easton’s hospital, airport improvements, and countywide broadband. Youth & Workforce: A Fort Ritchie Community Center teen summit brought together 60+ students and 35 career fields, pairing mentorship with hands-on auto maintenance.

Medicaid Fight: 25 Democratic-led states plus D.C. sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow for ill and disabled residents. Egg Price Crackdown: The DOJ and state AGs reached settlements with major egg producers over alleged price-fixing; Maryland will receive more than 2 million eggs for food banks plus cash, while companies must end coordination and add compliance oversight. Data Center Clash: Maryland’s Supreme Court rejected a Frederick County referendum tied to a data center development zone, keeping the county’s plan in place despite resident concerns about power and water use. Local Business & Community: Rutter’s launched America-themed summer promotions across its Maryland footprint, while Lexington Park hosted a multicultural festival spotlighting local businesses. Public Safety: Investigators said a lithium-ion battery charger sparked a Conowingo shed fire causing about $25,000 in damage. Baltimore Watch: Police issued civil citations to gas stations accused of fueling illegal dirt bikes as enforcement ramps up ahead of July 4. Tourism Leadership: The National Aquarium named Jennifer Driban as its new president and CEO starting July 1.

Medicaid Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing federal guidance narrows the “medically frail” exemption too much for ill and disabled residents. Maryland Budget & Policy: Maryland’s $70.8B FY2027 budget takes effect July 1, with funding for law enforcement, rental assistance, SNAP, and energy efficiency—alongside cuts affecting developmental disability services. Baltimore Vacancies: Baltimore is expanding a program that lets owners donate tax- and lien-burdened vacant properties to the city, aiming to speed up cleanup and reduce the estimated $8B revival bill. Cecil County Healthcare: Union Hospital in Elkton is closing its Family Birth Center June 30, citing declining deliveries and staffing pressures despite steady local birth numbers. Aquarium Leadership: Jennifer Driban was named National Aquarium president and CEO, tasked with leading a major renovation. Heat & Power: A Midwest heat wave is canceling outdoor plans and pushing communities to open cooling centers as conditions spread east. Local Politics: Will Jawando won Montgomery County executive in a race built on coalition support and major endorsements. Creative Industry: Quadrant MSL won a Gold Lion at Cannes for Vaseline’s “The Real Nigerian Price” campaign. Public Safety: Baltimore police seized dirt bikes and issued citations after large illegal riding activity near Druid Hill Park. Voting Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled states can count mail-in ballots received after Election Day, dealing a blow to efforts to impose a strict receipt deadline.

Election Spending in Maryland: A new look at Maryland’s competitive congressional primary finds outside groups poured in more than $8 million, but researchers say it’s hard to prove how much that spending changed votes. Baltimore County Executive Race: Julian E. Jones Jr. is set to formally declare victory after mail-in results, setting up a November matchup against Patrick V. Dyer. Court Ruling on Mail Ballots: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later, preserving grace periods in places including Maryland. BGE Lawsuit: Three Federal Hill residents sue BGE, alleging the utility pushed for “unlawful arrests” during a 2023 gas regulator project. Local Government Accountability: A newly released auditor’s report raises fresh questions about how Baltimore County officials handled funding for Rocky Point Golf Course clubhouse renovations. Workforce & AI Training: Connecticut and Maryland are among states partnering with the new RAISE US initiative, aiming to build job-training infrastructure for the AI economy. Data Centers & Power Demand: A broader debate continues as communities and regulators weigh the economic tradeoffs of data center growth and electricity needs.

Baltimore County Representation: Linda Dorsey-Walker will receive the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award Aug. 5 for years of pushing to expand Black political representation on the county council. Local Development: Montgomery County’s Friendship Heights Sector Plan heads to review this summer, with residents split over zoning, height limits, and the future of the Wisconsin Avenue corridor. Business & Community: Charm City Run founder Josh Levinson reflects on building the Baltimore-area running retail chain into a 25-year “community movement,” now with 200+ employees across multiple locations. Public Health: Clover Hill Dairy expanded cheese recall advisories after potential listeria risk; separate Maryland-area cottage cheese recall also traces back to Clover Hill. Workforce & Economy: Frederick County unveiled a 2026–2029 Economic and Workforce Strategic Growth Plan aimed at supporting businesses, innovation, and workforce readiness. Energy & Grid Planning: Regulators are moving toward “commitment-first” forecasting as AI data centers submit large requests to multiple utilities, distorting regional demand and grid investment.

Energy & Infrastructure: NASA is moving fast on a $30 million rescue mission to boost the Swift Observatory to a safer higher orbit, using a robotic servicing spacecraft built by Maryland-based Katalyst Space Technologies, with Hubble potentially next. Higher Education & Jobs: Johns Hopkins University plans layoffs of about 110 employees, including Carey Business School staff, as federal research funding declines. Local Government Finance: St. Mary’s County commissioners approved $61.5 million in general obligation bonds for in-process projects, despite two dissenting votes over the size of the debt. Workforce & Economic Mobility: Montgomery College launched its Collective Impact Institute, creating a permanent hub for cross-sector collaboration aimed at improving opportunity and economic mobility in Montgomery County. Public Health & Insurance Policy: Maryland lawmakers are advancing menopause coverage efforts, reflecting growing attention to how health benefits affect workforce participation. Business & Energy Markets: Constellation Energy and Walmart announced a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement for emissions-free electricity, supporting cleaner power for Walmart’s Illinois distribution plans. Community & Culture: The University of Baltimore president, Kurt Schmoke, announced he will step down in June 2027.

Maryland Politics & Economy: Former President Joe Biden rallied Maryland Democrats at the Fight Back & Win summit and gala in Hanover, blasting Donald Trump over NATO, “vanity projects,” and alleged corruption, while defending his own record as the party gears up for the 2026 midterms. Public Safety & Local Tech: A council in Methuen, with a Maryland-based vendor, considered funding for nighttime police drones—another sign of how surveillance tech is moving from pilot programs into city budgets. Healthcare & Regulation: Johns Hopkins’ FDA commissioner controversy continues to ripple, with renewed attention on flavored-vape policy and the public-health pushback that helped shape leadership shakeups. Cost of Living: A new analysis says raising a child in the U.S. now tops $300,000 over 18 years, driven by housing, insurance, and especially child care. Business & Community: The Maryland Christian Chamber of Commerce says it has already attracted 100+ businesses since launching in March, mixing networking and faith-based support for entrepreneurs. Ports & Trade: Container traffic and freight-rate trends are shifting in ways that could affect regional logistics, with Piraeus showing a May uptick and global rates rising. Sports Business: The Orioles say they’re still “going for it” in the wild-card race, weighing trade-deadline moves as they assess pitching and lineup needs.

Health Insurance Watch: Maryland insurers are asking for an average 13.7% premium jump for 2027 on ACA marketplace plans, citing higher costs and the loss of enhanced federal tax credits—state regulators still must approve. Higher Ed Leadership: CCBC President Sandra L. Kurtinitis will step down in 2027, setting up a major transition for one of the region’s biggest workforce and transfer engines. AI & Local Business: A Talbot County summit urged companies to adopt AI with a practical framework, warning that the biggest risks may be back-end impacts like power and data-center strain. Public Safety & Courts: A Davidsonville man, 19, was sentenced to life for the 2025 murder of a koi pond business owner, after prosecutors said the victim was attacked, bound, driven in a pickup, and burned. HOA Fraud: A Nottingham woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced after prosecutors said she embezzled about $600,000 from multiple homeowner associations, using forged documents and a Ponzi-style scheme. Tourism & Events: Sail 250 Maryland and the Air Show Baltimore are drawing crowds to the Inner Harbor, with service members also volunteering at the Maryland Food Bank. Food Security: The Maryland Food Bank says volunteers packed about 13,600 pounds of food during a Sail 250 service event. State Economy/Jobs: CCBC leadership change and the insurance-rate request both land as Maryland businesses and households brace for cost pressures.

Local Media Funding: Maryland lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Wes Moore that requires state agencies to spend 50% of their advertising budgets with local news organizations, aiming to shore up outlets that are “in peril.” Statehouse & Affordability: In the State of the State, Moore pushed redistricting and highlighted efforts to reduce crime plus housing and energy costs, while also flagging the growing role of AI and data centers. Transportation Disruption: Maryland is set to complete southbound I-95/I-495 bridge deck and joint repairs in Prince George’s with overnight lane closures and added weekend work. Eastern Shore Business: Queenstown Bank opened a new full-service Cambridge branch, expanding from a loan office to a permanent local presence. Healthcare Supply Chain: Shore Regional Health named Tyson Werner director of supply chain and logistics, citing cost savings and procurement improvements. Energy & Geopolitics: Oil tankers reportedly moved through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran threats, as the U.S. and Iran negotiate an interim ceasefire framework. Local Economy & Retirement Risk: A report warns Social Security cuts could hit Worcester County hardest, with retiree spending making up a meaningful share of local income.

Federal Funding & Jobs: Johns Hopkins University laid off about 110 workers after losing some federal research funding, with the university saying the cuts hit mostly administrative roles. Public Safety & Courts: A man convicted in the 2025 murder of a Maryland garden center owner received a life sentence, with a plea deal allowing parole. Local Government Budgeting: Queen Anne’s County commissioners adopted a $230.9M fiscal 2027 budget and added $500,000 for school-based mental health services, including rotating behaviorists and middle school support staff. Business Relief: Talbot County small businesses and private nonprofits can apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans tied to the April frost and freeze. Energy & Cost Pressure: Commentary and debate continued over Maryland’s energy affordability and grid strain, with renewed calls to limit data center growth. Policy & Guns: Maryland House Republicans urged the U.S. Justice Department to review the state’s “Glock ban” law ahead of its Jan. 1, 2027 start. Tech & Compliance: Independent auto repair shops warned that access to vehicle diagnostic data remains a business risk as lawmakers consider the REPAIR Act. Healthcare & Aging: A new study found Maryland retirees have one of the smallest projected retirement “cushions,” highlighting a $109K national average gap between retirement income and necessities.

Maryland Small-Business Funding: Maryland’s Community Business Compass expanded its free database to 2,500+ funding and support programs, aiming to help entrepreneurs find grants, loans, and local demand-matching resources. AI Workforce Push: A new nonprofit, Raise Us, backed by major tech and philanthropy, is launching AI-focused worker retraining pilots that include Maryland, with Gina Raimondo leading the effort to reduce job disruption. Port & Trade Link: Liberia and Maryland signed a landmark MoU covering trade, investment, education, tech, agriculture, renewable energy, and more, with a working group to identify priority projects. Higher Ed Layoffs: Johns Hopkins University laid off about 110 workers as federal funding losses shrink its research portfolio, continuing a broader cost-management shift. Immigration Policy: Govs. Wes Moore and Matt Meyer criticized a U.S. Supreme Court decision ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, warning of economic and community impacts. Regional Mobility: Breeze Airways announced new Burlington routes, including nonstop service to Baltimore starting Oct. 4, adding more options for Maryland travelers. Energy & Infrastructure: A fuel tanker crash shut westbound Route 50 in Cambridge for cleanup after a spill of hundreds of gallons. Global Shipping Risk: The UN paused Strait of Hormuz ship evacuations after a vessel was hit by a projectile near Oman, raising safety concerns for regional commerce.

Healthcare Spending: A new Health Affairs report projects U.S. healthcare spending will nearly hit $9 trillion by 2034, driven by higher service use, insurance changes, and aging demographics, with health costs rising to 20.6% of the economy. Maryland Jobs & Federal Cuts: Johns Hopkins is laying off about 110 employees across schools and offices as federal funding shrinks, echoing broader higher-ed cutbacks. AI Workforce Push: Former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and ex-Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb are launching RAISE US, a nonprofit backed by major tech and employers to help workers adapt to AI-driven job disruption, with partnerships including Maryland. Maryland Higher Ed Leadership: Gov. Wes Moore appointed Celebree School founder Richard Huffman to the Maryland Higher Education Commission for a five-year term starting July 1. Local Business & Community: Giant Food is adding a nonprofit coffee shop partnership in Virginia, while Synergy HomeCare expands into western Maryland with a new South Frederick location. Baltimore Courts & Music Rights: Baltimore’s Ottobar was ordered to pay $18,500 after conceding liability in a karaoke copyright case involving songs by A-ha, Cutting Crew, and The Chicks. Cannabis Finance: TerrAscend closed an oversubscribed $21.7 million convertible debenture financing to retire higher-cost debt and fund acquisitions.

Maryland Politics: Gov. Wes Moore heads into November after winning the Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting up a rematch with GOP nominee Dan Cox. Congressional Race: Democrats picked Del. Adrian Boafo to succeed retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer, with major backing from Moore and Hoyer and heavy spending from tech and crypto-linked donors. Montgomery County Upset: Army Reserve engineer Amar Mukunda surged past Senate majority leader Nancy King in the District 39 Democratic primary, signaling voter frustration with the status quo. State Budget Pressure: Lawmakers are warning of a potentially bigger-than-expected Maryland budget deficit, with counties bracing for a tough next cycle. Business & Consumer Protection: A Maryland-linked privacy bill advanced in Pennsylvania, reflecting a broader push for stronger consumer data rules nationwide. Healthcare & Fraud: A Constellation Energy engineer was indicted in an insider-trading case tied to plans to restart Three Mile Island, while Maryland also saw Medicaid fraud charges in Arkansas. Local Economy & Growth: Baltimore is preparing for Sail 250 Maryland, with road closures and business expectations tied to tourism. Public Health & Safety: A tick surge is being reported across the D.C. area, driven by climate and deer populations.

Maryland Politics & Economy: Maryland’s primary results are reshaping the November map, with Gov. Wes Moore winning the Democratic gubernatorial nomination and a Moore–Dan Cox rematch set for the general election, while Rep. Adrian Boafo secured the Democratic nod to succeed Steny Hoyer in the 5th District—both races drawing heavy national attention and signaling how quickly campaign money and messaging are shifting. Local Business & Retail: Club Pilates is expanding with a deal to add 70 new studios across Maryland, Michigan and New York, a boost for the state’s fitness and franchising ecosystem. Infrastructure & Growth: The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration is holding an open house on the I-97 Safety and Mobility Project (US 50 to MD 32) in Anne Arundel County, aiming to reduce a major summer bottleneck by adding lanes and upgrading key bridges. Community & Workforce: The WorkPlace honored more than 70 people at its 23rd annual awards, highlighting job perseverance and pathways back to work. Housing & Public Finance: Baltimore City Council unanimously passed its FY2027 budget, a key signal for how city spending priorities will land for businesses and residents. Business Risk & Consumer Impact: West Marine’s bankruptcy filing underscores how retail restructuring is hitting Maryland-area customers and suppliers as the marine gear market consolidates. Energy & Environment: EPA announced $5.5 million in Brownfields grants for Maryland communities, targeting cleanup and redevelopment that can unlock new commercial space.