Capital Region

Innovation, Influence and the Power of Proximity

WorkforceSet at the heart of the Mid-Atlantic and bordering Washington, D.C., Maryland’s Capital Region blends global impact with local leadership. Anchored by institutions like the NIH, NSA, FDA, NASA Goddard and the University of Maryland, and home to one of the nation’s most educated and diverse workforces, the region powers breakthroughs in life sciences, cybersecurity, aerospace, and more. With inside-the-Beltway access and outside-the-Beltway breathing room, it offers a dynamic mix of urban energy, suburban convenience, and rural charm—making it a smart, strategic place to live, work and grow.

Maryland’s Central Region offers unparalleled access to talent, innovation, and connectivity. Home to world-class research institutions, thriving tech and biotech corridors, and a diverse, highly educated workforce, this region is where business and opportunity meet.

Frederick County

Frederick County brings together the best of both worlds—big opportunity and plenty of elbow room. Just 45 minutes from D.C. and Baltimore, it blends historic charm, thriving business parks, and wide-open rural landscapes into one smart, scenic package. With Fort Detrick at its core and a booming life sciences sector, it’s a rising player in biotech, advanced manufacturing, and ag-tech. Add in a hip and historic downtown Frederick, top-ranked schools, a cost of living that won’t break the budget, and easy access to hiking trails, rivers, and mountain views, and you’ve got a place where work and life don’t just balance—they thrive.

County Website

County Fact Sheet

Montgomery County

Anchored by the headquarters of Lockheed Martin and AstraZeneca, major federal institutions like the NIH, FDA, and NIST, Montgomery County is a national leader across cutting edge industries. Home to one of the highest percentages of graduate and professional degree holders in the U.S. and is a top hub for biotech, cybersecurity and advanced technology with direct access to Washington, D.C. With a deep, diverse talent pool and a leading quality of life, Montgomery County offers businesses the expertise and the infrastructure to grow and compete globally.

County Website

County Fact Sheet

Prince George’s County

One of Mid-Atlantic’s fastest-growing business hubs, Prince George’s County offers unmatched access to federal agencies and a diverse, highly skilled workforce. Just minutes from downtown D.C., Prince George’s County is home to NASA Goddard, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and Joint Base Andrews, placing it at the center of aerospace, data science, and defense. The University of Maryland, College Park drives next-gen innovation in quantum computing through its National Quantum Laboratory (QLab) and Quantum Startup Foundry, fueling a tech-forward economy with leaders like IonQ. For companies on the frontier of quantum innovation, the Capital Region offers the infrastructure, expertise, and momentum to lead the next revolution in computing. For bold businesses and future-focused talent, Prince George’s County delivers the access, energy, and edge to thrive.

County Website

County Fact Sheet

4

Maryland cities among the top 10 most diverse

Source: WalletHub, Most & Least Ethnically Diverse Cities in the U.S., Feb. 2025.

#3

Biopharma cluster in the U.S.

Source: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, “Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters 2025″, July 2025.

#1

Best place to live for families (Silver Spring)

Source: Fortune, “Best Places to Live for Families,” 2024.

Leader in Life Sciences

As the hub of a Top 3 Biopharma Cluster, Maryland’s Capital Region is one of the most dynamic life sciences ecosystems in the world. Anchored by world-renowned institutions like the NIH, FDA and NIST, and home to more than 500 biotech companies including United Therapeutics Corporation, AstraZeneca and Novavax, the Capital Region is driving breakthroughs in next-gen vaccines, gene therapy and editing, oncology and bioinformatics. With a deep bench of scientific talent, unmatched access to federal research agencies, and cutting-edge lab and biomanufacturing space, the region offers both established firms and emerging innovators the ideal environment to grow, collaborate, and lead. For companies seeking proximity to policy, discovery and impact—or for professionals ready to change the world—there’s no better place to be.

More Leading Industries in the Capital Region

Agribusiness

Maryland’s Capital Region offers a fertile environment for agribusiness innovation, combining a rich agricultural base with top-tier research and market access. From specialty crop production in Frederick County to ag research at the University of Maryland at College Park, the region supports a thriving farm-to-market ecosystem.

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Quantum Technology

Maryland’s Capital Region is emerging as a national leader in quantum technology, driven by world-class research, federal investment, and industry pioneers like IonQ. For companies on the frontier of quantum innovation, the Capital Region offers the infrastructure, expertise, and momentum to lead the next revolution in computing.

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Aerospace & Defense

Maryland’s Capital Region offers a powerful strategic advantage for aerospace and defense companies looking to grow and lead. With a deep bench of cleared talent, proximity to federal decision-makers, and a thriving ecosystem of innovation and R&D, the Capital Region is the ideal launchpad for aerospace and defense companies.

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