AGP Executive Report

Energy Affordability: Maryland electricity bills are up 50.9% over five years, now about 24% above the national average, as Gov. Wes Moore blames utility profiteering and data-center demand while critics argue state decarbonization rules are squeezing reliable in-state generation and pushing imports. Transit Investment: The Maryland Transit Administration will start Oct. 6 on the $50M RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project in Baltimore, with phased construction through 2029 to improve speed and safety along CityLink corridors. AI Oversight: Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen pressed OpenAI to share details with federal cybersecurity agencies after the Hugging Face breach, as lawmakers from both parties question how AI systems could go rogue. Immigration Enforcement: A new federal class-action targets ICE warrantless arrests in Maryland, including an Eastern Shore case tied to Salisbury. Banking & Deals: John Marshall Bancorp agreed to buy Bank of Clarke’s parent in a $253M all-stock merger, expanding a community-banking footprint into Montgomery County and D.C. Public Health: Maryland issued its first state vaccine schedule for the upcoming flu season under a new Vax Act authority. Local Business Growth: Chicken Salad Chick opened a second Maryland location in Olney.

Housing & Mortgage Pressure: Bright MLS says the Mid-Atlantic housing market cooled in August as high mortgage rates and affordability concerns kept buyers on the sidelines—closed sales fell 3.6% year over year, pending sales dropped 5.8%, and showings slipped 5.5%, while inventory rose. Public Safety & Local Industry: BC3 Technologies expanded its Baltimore-made SEAL hemostatic wound spray into retail, rolling out to 77 Army & Air Force Exchange Service locations nationwide and overseas. Healthcare Access Tech: WellCheck is joining St. Mary’s 360 in St. Mary’s County, a $3.53M rural health initiative aimed at connecting residents to care and community services. Immigration Enforcement Fight: Maryland joined a 22-state coalition urging a federal appeals court to limit ICE warrantless arrests, arguing safeguards must be followed. Environmental Policy Clash: States sued the Trump administration over changes to endangered species protections, challenging rules that narrow “harm” and alter critical habitat and threatened-species protections. Business Growth in Maryland: Toastique is opening a new Severna Park location Sept. 19, adding a second Anne Arundel County spot. Workforce & Training: Defiance firefighters received hands-on vehicle extrication training, reflecting how hybrids and electric vehicles are changing emergency response.

Open Meetings & Tax Incentives: Baltimore media groups allege the Harborplace redevelopment’s massive property tax break was approved in secret executive sessions, potentially violating Maryland’s Open Meetings law. Wastewater & PFAS: Maryland environmental regulators held a public hearing on a proposed Perdue wastewater permit near Salisbury that would raise discharge volumes, as neighbors cite water-quality and PFAS contamination concerns. Endometriosis Diagnostics: A patient story highlights how endometriosis can take years to diagnose, while new testing approaches abroad may improve detection—though they’re not yet available in the U.S. Endangered Species Act Lawsuits: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison joined a coalition of states suing federal wildlife agencies over Trump-era rollbacks that weaken habitat protections for threatened and endangered species. Maryland Politics & Ambition: Gov. Wes Moore signaled he’s “part of a bigger conversation” about 2028, fueling speculation about a presidential run. Eastern Shore Economic Development: A Delmarva forum spotlighted major projects across Eastern Shore counties, from infrastructure and broadband work to technology parks aimed at attracting new business. Housing Market Cooling: Realtor.com reports home listing prices are falling in many metros as mortgage rates stay high, signaling continued normalization after pandemic-era spikes. Maryland Business & Jobs: Saval Foods announced a new headquarters and distribution center in Howard County, adding more than 100 jobs. Public Safety & Local Business: A Federal Hill pizzeria had a POS system stolen, but the item was returned after a viral social media post.

Healthcare Dealmaking: Senior Living Transformation Company (SLTC) closed a $300 million recapitalization of the Prime Care portfolio covering 957 assisted living and memory care units across CT, NJ, MD and NC, with a $15 million capital improvement plan and a tech-enabled care coordination push via SLTC’s Centered Care. Social Care Tech in Maryland: Findhelp became the first specialty exchange registered with the Maryland Health Care Commission, aiming to streamline social risk screening, referrals and reporting under the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program. Cybersecurity Risk: A healthcare cyber incident at Luminis Health disrupted some appointments and services, underscoring growing pressure on state policymakers to improve readiness and coordination. Local Business & Regulation: Baltimore County passed a smoke shop bill after 13 amendments, including a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, clinics and daycare centers, plus signage limits and hardship extensions. Banking Leadership: Huntington Bancshares promoted Brant Standridge to president, expanding oversight of revenue businesses. M&A Watch: John Marshall Bancorp agreed to an all-stock merger with Eagle Financial Services (Bank of Clarke) in a deal valued around $253 million. Sports & Economy Angle: Maryland’s business community also gets a sports jolt as the Springboks–All Blacks rivalry continues to draw attention to Baltimore’s event-driven spending.

BWI Trade Enforcement: U.S. Customs seized $142,000 worth of China-origin falcata plywood at Baltimore-Washington (BWI), alleging the shipment used a stolen identity, was undervalued, and was routed through third countries to dodge duties. Airport Business Fight: Rockville-based Silver Diner sued BWI’s concessions operator Fraport, saying it’s being pressured to fund an $8M–$10M rebuild to renew its lease, threatening the restaurant’s long-running presence and jobs. State Transportation Investment: Maryland is awarding more than $11M in grants for bike, pedestrian and trail projects, including Safe Routes to School upgrades and trail connections in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel and Frederick counties. Immigration Legal Pressure: Colorado AG Phil Weiser filed an amicus brief urging a federal appeals court to uphold limits on ICE warrantless arrests, arguing the practice harms workers and businesses. Local Development Designation: Maryland approved Harford County’s request to expand its Sustainable Communities program to include Joppatowne, unlocking state revitalization resources for eligible projects. Education & Food Access: A new report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal performance in 2026, highlighting how states reach students and expand free meal access. Sports & Entertainment: The WNBA begins a leadership transition as Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announces retirement at year-end; Maryland’s sports calendar also ramps up with major NFL Week 1 coverage and BWI-area events.

Local Public Safety: Frederick County will host a free Senior Scams and Fraud Prevention Workshop Sept. 16 (1–3 p.m.) at the Urbana 50+ Community Center, with law enforcement and financial experts covering Medicare-related scams and how to spot fraud. Maryland Economy & Gaming: Maryland’s six casinos generated $160.0M in August gaming revenue, down 6% year over year, with $68.5M in state contributions and millions earmarked for education, local jurisdictions, and small business support. Airport Labor & Operations: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced pay increases for BWI-Marshall contract workers, including an $18 minimum wage for some roles, as the airport seeks to stay competitive. Transportation & Commuters: Md. 355 bus-only lanes tied to Metro’s Red Line work are being removed, with lanes reopening for all drivers as striping changes continue through the week. Business Growth (M&A): Family Office of America’s Maryland unit agreed to acquire J F Kearney & Associates, expanding its accounting and tax services platform. Healthcare Workforce Tech: Rellevate partnered with Taylor Regional Hospital to offer “Pay Any-Day” on-demand wage access to more than 800 employees. Trade & Policy Watch: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs of up to 50% on about $20B in U.S. goods took effect Tuesday, escalating the trade fight. Tech & Industry: IonQ unveiled its Superion 256 trapped-ion quantum platform, positioning it as the foundation for future compute products.

BWI Labor Pay Boost: Gov. Wes Moore announced the minimum wage for direct Maryland Aviation Administration contract workers at BWI will rise to $18 an hour, affecting about 120 employees, and he’s pushing emergency legislation to extend wage increases to more indirect airport workers under a reformed Secure Maryland Wage Act. Airport Worker Costs & Competition: Moore said the last wage study was “skewed,” and Maryland will commission a new Salisbury University evaluation to verify what workers are actually earning and improve recruitment and retention. Healthcare Disruption: Johns Hopkins reported temporary “Code Black” status at three hospital emergency departments due to a technology network issue, with full functionality restored and only Sibley Memorial still restricted as of late Monday. Local Economy Pressure: Eastern Shore watermen say crabbing this summer hasn’t been the problem—weak demand and high prices are, with buyers staying away and market conditions expected to worsen after Labor Day. Consumer Fraud Watch: Maryland’s broader fraud picture remains grim as national FTC data shows fraud losses topping $12.5B in 2024, up 25%, while BBB Scam Tracker continues to log online purchase scams across the region. Travel & Enforcement: An American Airlines flight diverted to Baltimore after an unruly passenger was restrained with duct tape following alleged racist and anti-gay slurs; the employer cut ties as charges were reported.

Maryland Higher Ed & Labor: Baltimore City Community College workers and supporters rallied for a contract and more financial transparency after faculty ratified a first union deal, with staff now pushing to avoid another long negotiation. State Policy & Cost of Living: Maryland’s grocery pricing rules change Oct. 1, and the state is also rolling out a $50M loan program to help teachers and first responders buy homes. Tech & Economic Development: Gov. Wes Moore launched an AI-powered tool aimed at helping community business development, while Maryland’s Community Compass platform expands to support neighborhood revitalization. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Amtrak will cut most Virginia-to-Washington service in mid-October for tunnel work, and Manassas is closing a public lot tied to data center construction amid local disputes over license-plate cameras. Defense & Industry: Northrop Grumman won a $508.5M missile-defense target support follow-on through 2035, sustaining testing infrastructure across Arizona, Utah, and Maryland. Business & Branding: Maryland University is locked in a logo dispute with a cannabis dispensary over allegedly similar “Terps” branding, escalating a cease-and-desist fight. Health & Global Markets: A report highlights Americans traveling abroad for CAR-T cancer treatment, underscoring cost and access pressures.

Health & Workforce: New endometriosis testing is helping patients get answers sooner, but U.S. access still lags and experts warn it won’t be a full fix. Education & AI: Teachers at the University of Baltimore and others are changing assignments and using classroom tools to curb AI cheating—raising the surveillance vs. learning tradeoff. Business & M&A: McKesson is buying Bethesda’s Precision Medicine Group for about $2.25B to expand oncology and clinical research services. Public Safety & Travel: An American Airlines flight diverted to Baltimore after an unruly passenger was restrained with duct tape and zip ties; the incident is now tied to criminal charges and a fired real-estate broker. Maryland Politics & Gambling: Maryland voters will weigh congressional districting, but online gaming expansion still requires a separate referendum. Local Economy & Community: Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are rolling out a busy September events calendar, from major festivals to concerts and family activities. Sports Business: The Orioles’ postseason push took a hit after a four-game sweep by the Red Sox.

Maryland Housing & Public Safety: St. Mary’s County is rolling out school-zone speed cameras, starting with a warning phase Aug. 24 and moving to ticketed enforcement Sept. 23, with six initial locations including Mechanicsville Elementary and Great Mills High. Local Business & Community: A new halal Afghan spot, Aria Restaurant Grill and Kabob, is taking over Rockville’s former Hot Pot Kitchen on MD-355, with a Sept. 11–14 grand opening and 30% off. Infrastructure & City Services: Essex residents say a long-running water leak on Frenchs Avenue has persisted for months, with 311 complaints allegedly closed quickly despite no fix. Business-Adjacent Policy: Maryland is preparing statewide changes to paid family and medical leave, including employer registration opening and benefits up to $1,000 a week. Crime Watch: Police are investigating a fatal Towson stabbing near the library, and a separate deadly Howard County crash followed a pursuit involving a parked police cruiser.

Maryland Housing & Homebuying: Gov. Wes Moore unveiled a $50M “First Homes for First Responders and Teachers” mortgage effort, pairing a discounted rate with a 0% second loan to cover down payments and closing costs—aimed at helping public servants build wealth through homeownership. Electric Grid & Data Centers: Pepco reported power restoration progress after Thursday’s storms, with outages down to about 1,633 customers in Prince George’s and the District by Saturday afternoon, while officials and critics continue to debate how rising demand—especially from data centers—puts pressure on the grid. Consumer & Fraud Watch: New BBB Scam Tracker figures show Maryland-area scam reporting remains a concern, with national fraud losses climbing sharply in recent FTC reporting. Public Health: TidalHealth announced free drive-thru flu vaccine clinics across Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, with multiple dates and high-dose options at select sites. Business & Policy: Maryland also moved to update rules affecting what businesses can put in consumer contracts, adding another compliance item for local operators. Aviation Safety: An American Airlines flight diverted to BWI after a disruptive passenger was restrained by fellow travelers using duct tape and zip ties, highlighting ongoing airline security and passenger-safety risks.

Consumer Contract Rules: Maryland signed a law (HB 103) starting Oct. 1 that stops consumer contracts from stripping away key legal remedies like statutory damages, punitive damages, injunctions and declaratory relief. Cash-Handling & Safety: Another Oct. 1 package (HB 191) generally requires businesses to accept cash for essential goods under $300, and lawmakers also set up speed-camera corridors in higher-risk areas under the Vulnerable Road User Protection Act. Energy Costs: Delmarva Power customers are pushing back on a proposed rate hike after electricity supply costs rose sharply in PJM auctions, fueling public ire at the Public Service Commission. Baltimore Housing Oversight: Baltimore officials are investigating the agency that placed a mother and six children in a rowhome after police found the children malnourished; Mayor Brandon Scott says protocols will be reviewed. Local Business Turnover: Outback Steakhouse is closing its Canton location, leaving Baltimore without the chain. Food & Community: A downtown seafood spot reopened under a new name and menu, leaning into Southern fried seafood plus homemade soul food.

State Policy & Workforce: Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order making Maryland a “Recovery-Friendly Workplace,” requiring state agencies to train staff on substance-use disorders and recovery support. Housing & Homebuying: Moore also continued his “Delivering for Maryland” tour in Baltimore County, highlighting a new Maryland Mortgage Program product for first-time buyers including firefighters, police, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and teachers. Public Safety: Federalsburg’s Church of the Nazarene fire has been ruled arson; ATF and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction. Transit & Regional Economy: Metro showed off work 150 feet underground at Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore; the Red Line segment reopens Monday after the summer shutdown, including a new mezzanine built for the Purple Line connection. Healthcare & Consumer Risk: Two IV saline recalls in Maryland and other states cite contamination concerns—fiberglass particles in Baxter bags and iron oxide in B. Braun bags—prompting providers to stop using and return affected lots. Local Governance: Baltimore voters will decide in November whether to change City Charter language that could shift spending and contract power away from the Board of Estimates toward the City Council. Community & Health: Talbot Goes Purple will host a free screening Sept. 11 of a documentary on the opioid crisis, with a sheriff-led Q&A afterward.

Student Aid Delays: New federal rules that kicked in July 1 have delayed federal student loan disbursements, leaving some Maryland-area students short on rent and basic bills while schools update their systems. Data Centers & Local Control: Baltimore County’s planning board is weighing a data center study amid sharp public pushback over water use, power demand, and tax impacts ahead of a September vote. Energy & Storm Recovery: Strong storms swept through the Delmarva region and the DC area, knocking out power for thousands and prompting school closures and ongoing utility repairs. Public Health: Rabies alerts are expanding in multiple states after rising animal cases, including confirmed detections reported in Maryland. Community & Workforce: CCBC highlights tuition support for students, while Maryland financial education leadership adds CORE DMV CEO Dr. Darvincia Warren to an advisory board. Federal Funding for Western Maryland: Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. April McClain Delaney toured Allegany and Garrett Counties to spotlight more than $5 million in federal investments.

Tax & Revenue: Maryland pulled in $3.3 billion in individual income taxes in Q1 2026, up 16% from the prior quarter, according to the U.S. Census Bureau—part of $8.7 billion in total state and local tax collections. Local Planning & Energy: Baltimore County residents packed a planning board hearing to oppose large data centers, arguing for limits tied to power, water use, pollution, and noise. Cyber & Healthcare: Two Maryland hospitals were hit by a cyberattack, raising fresh concerns about patient data and operational disruption. Business & Community Development: Talbot County named Stephanie Mervine director of economic development and tourism, aiming to build on a new strategic plan and strengthen the county’s visitor economy. Sports Business (Local Impact): Adley Rutschman returned to Camden Yards for the Red Sox and homered twice, a reminder of how major league trades can quickly reshape local attention and spending.

Maryland Business & Economy: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will preview a new AI-powered “Maryland Community Compass” tool aimed at helping community entrepreneurs find neighborhood-level guidance and more than 2,600 funding options, building on the state’s earlier platform with added Anthropic-powered capabilities. Energy & Utilities: Maryland regulators are weighing cuts to EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy-efficiency program, after earlier reductions meant to blunt high electric bills—potentially affecting customer savings starting in January. Healthcare & Cybersecurity: Two Maryland medical centers (Anne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Medical Center) were hit by cyberattacks, disrupting operations and ambulances. Public Finance & Oversight: Baltimore officials praised a last-minute ARPA shuffle that diverts $3.9 million in unused funds to a private trash hauler to ensure spending before the Dec. 31 deadline. Sports Business (Baltimore): Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says he’s optimistic about reaching a Lamar Jackson contract extension before March, while the team also faces ongoing roster and investigation questions. Travel & Consumer Finance: Southwest Airlines is launching its first airport lounge network, including Baltimore/Washington, with lounges opening in late 2027 and a new Chase premium credit card tied to access. Tech & Finance: Securityplus FCU (Baltimore) is adopting an agentic CRM approach to unify member data and improve personalized service.