KBR, a global consulting, technology, and engineering solutions firm, is planning to expand its operations in Howard County through the consolidation and relocation of 320 full-time jobs and an additional 48 new jobs over the next five years.

The Houston-based company has signed a lease for 65,000 square-feet of space at Maple Lawn that will serve as its regional office and expand its existing space on Columbia Gateway Drive in Columbia. Currently, the company has more than 1,700 employees in Maryland and operates independent office locations internationally in more than 40 countries.

“We are excited to see that a global company like KBR is expanding and continuing to invest in our state,” said Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz. “With this consolidation, the company has shown its dedication to growing Maryland’s business community by providing excellent jobs for our local workforce.”

To assist with project costs related to the project, the Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $500,000 conditional loan contingent on job creation and capital investment, and the company is eligible for additional state assistance, including the Job Creation Tax Credit. The Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has approved a $50,000 conditional loan as well.

KBR leased space in 8120 Maple Lawn Boulevard, a four-story building comprising 103,755 square feet of Class ‘A’ commercial office space. Maple Lawn, a mixed-use community being developed by St. John Properties, Inc. and master developer Greenebaum Enterprises, is located at the intersection of MD Route 29 and MD Route 216 in Fulton, approximately 22 miles from Baltimore and 30 miles from Washington, D.C.

“The addition of KBR will inject high-paying, technical jobs into Maple Lawn, which will be of tremendous benefit to the existing retailers and restaurants in the community as well as the entire Howard County economy,” stated Sean Doordan, senior vice president, leasing & acquisitions for St. John Properties. “KBR is a rapidly-expanding and highly-respected company that has benefitted from the continued velocity of the aerospace, engineering, and hi-tech sectors throughout the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. Strong fundamentals, led by a diverse regional business environment and highly-skilled workforce, remain in place to support and enhance the company’s growth.”

Read the full announcement.