Howard County Executive Ulman Pushes Plan to Retain 1,000 Jobs; Add Several Hundred More

January 29, 2014

Media Contact:

David Nitkin, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022

New location for Coastal Sunbelt Produce will facilitate expansion for one of county’s largest employers

   

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman on Wednesday announced his support of an initiative that would allow one of the County’s largest employer’s, Coastal Sunbelt Produce, to remain in Howard and expand its operations.

Seeking to build a new headquarters and create efficiencies by co-locating some operations, Coastal Sunbelt has been in search of property that would accommodate its needs.  Many of the properties the company explored were outside of Howard County.

County Executive Ulman and the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) worked to identify a site within Howard that would meet the company’s objectives.  The preferred location is in North Laurel, near the Laurel Race Track.  The County Executive is backing a necessary change to County zoning regulations that would allow the company to operate on the land that has been identified.

The amendment awaits final Howard County Council approval, allowing the transaction to be completed.

“It takes a hands-on approach to preserve and grow jobs,” County Executive Ulman said.  “Coastal Sunbelt is a terrific business, and we need them to stay and prosper in Howard County.  I’m glad we were able to figure out a way that allows this expansion to go forward.”

Coastal Sunbelt CEO John Corso said the company would like to remain in Howard County.

“This is our home and we want to stay,” Corso said. “We are a growing company needing to expand. Executive Ulman, along with his team, was pivotal in making sure we found a great location where we will be able to add jobs. We are hopeful we can complete the final steps needed for this venture, and break ground soon.”

“Job creation and economic growth is one of our top priorities,” said Council Chairman Calvin B. Ball.  “I believe this plan is good for the residents of Howard County.”

“Coastal Sunbelt is a good neighbor and we need to find ways to keep them in the area,” said County Councilmember Jen Terrasa, who represents District 3, which includes the proposed site.

Coastal Sunbelt has been an active leader in the North Laurel community, particularly with its support of the area’s limited English-speaking residents.  The company has provided job opportunities for many of those residents, and through an innovative partnership with Bollman Bridge Elementary School, encourages those employees to learn English and become better integrated into American life.  The company’s efforts earned it a 2012 American Success Award from FIRN, the Foreign Born Information and Referral Network.

Coastal Sunbelt employs about 1,000 permanent full-time employees in the county and could add several hundred new jobs after the real estate transaction is finalized.

“It took a lot of work to get to this point, and the Economic Development Authority is thrilled that this deal is going to get done,” said HCEDA CEO Lawrence F. Twele. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has also played a key role in facilitating the transaction, Twele said.