AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Local Politics: A Maryland union says it will back no anti–data center candidates as counties weigh moratoriums, arguing the projects are an “existential moment” for building trades. Energy & Infrastructure: Hull Street Energy closed on 1.26GW of PJM peaking plants (Lee County, IL and Tait Electric, OH), betting dispatchable power matters as reserves tighten. Ports & Shipping: Kenya advanced private investment for Mombasa and Lamu port assets, moving projects from feasibility to procurement. Broadband & Telecom: Amazon cleared planning hurdles for a 6,300km US–Ireland fiber-optic cable, with a Maryland-to-Ireland landing plan. Finance & Fintech: 39 state banking groups formed the BankChain Alliance to build a bank-owned blockchain network targeting a 2027 launch. Consumer/Regulatory Watch: Maryland’s MVA is reviewing vehicle weights to find drivers potentially owed registration-fee refunds. Agriculture & Food Systems: Howard County unveiled plans for a Charles C. Feaga Agricultural Center, with construction slated for 2027 and a 2029 opening. Legal/Tech: House Democrats opened an investigation into Trump Jr.’s venture capital firm over alleged fraud/insider trading. Public Safety/Health: Ocean City secured $20M for beach replenishment to protect against storms and erosion.

Key Bridge rebuild: Maryland Transportation Authority says the Francis Scott Key Bridge is still on schedule, with crews nearly finishing deep foundation pile driving and preparing access trestles ahead of demolition and pier work; engineers say the 2030 reopening target remains in range. Court narrows claims: A federal judge sharply limited Key Bridge collapse liability, allowing only certain damage claims (like a water main) while dismissing most economic-loss claims from businesses and individuals. Meta child-safety settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to about $16.68B (and related multistate deals) and add teen protections like daily limits and nighttime blocks for Facebook/Instagram, as states pursue reforms over alleged addictive design. Maryland SUN Bucks push: Gov. Moore and DHS launched a “Use It or Lose It” campaign urging families to redeem expiring SUN Bucks benefits before deadlines. Chesapeake seafood trade hit: A Maryland oyster farm says Canada’s new tariffs could kill a planned export deal, with margins “razor thin” under 25%–50% tariff scenarios. Energy deal: Hull Street Energy completed acquisitions of two PJM power plants (Illinois and Ohio), expanding its dispatchable generation portfolio.

Quantum Computing Funding: NSF is pouring $290M into eight university-led Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, including the University of Maryland, with industry and federal lab partners aiming to turn research into scalable tech. Defense & Tech: Johns Hopkins APL in Laurel is highlighting PEMT target-tracking tech used across sea, land, and air defense systems, signaling Maryland’s continued role in advanced ISR and time-critical defense capabilities. Logistics & Shipping: CMA CGM is adding Neoline’s wind-powered Neoliner Origin to a new transatlantic service that will call Baltimore—an emissions-reduction push for dry cargo, refrigerated goods, and containers. Automation in Warehousing: FedEx and Dexterity expanded Dexterity’s robotic trailer-loading system at the FedEx Hagerstown hub, moving beyond a pilot and hinting at broader scaling plans. Space Industry: NASA is preparing to launch the $4B Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, with Maryland-based Goddard scientists leading key science operations. Local Business & Consumer Tech: Nayax is set to acquire parking-tech firm IPS Group, combining smart parking and payments to expand curb management. Chesapeake Economy & Food Web: A guide to Chesapeake Bay menhaden explains why the small forage fish matter to predators and the broader Bay ecosystem. Maryland Policy Watch: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore raised concerns about methods used in a major ICE operation across Maryland and Virginia.

AI Infrastructure & Power: Trump backed AI data centers as “jobs and lots of money,” even as critics warn about electricity, water, and land-use strain. Energy Grid Fight (Maryland/Virginia): West Virginia’s consumer advocate joined efforts to pause or dismiss NextEra’s MARL transmission project, arguing grid assumptions changed after Maryland plants got extensions. Local Development: Baltimore’s East Baltimore renewal area north of Johns Hopkins will shift operational management to the Baltimore Development Corporation starting Sept. 1, with EBDI staying independent. Construction & Immigration Facilities: Howard County plans to appeal a federal ruling that reinstated building permits for an ICE field office in Elkridge. Tech/Tax: Maryland’s Tax Court invalidated the state’s digital advertising gross revenues tax, opening a path for other states’ similar digital taxes to be challenged. Seafood & Aquaculture: Maryland officials held listening sessions to strengthen marketing for locally harvested seafood, with oysters a major focus. Business Moves (Engineering): KCI Technologies will relocate its HQ to Hunt Valley, bringing about 300 employees in 2027. Federal Contracting (NASA): Amentum won a $974M, 10-year NASA Langley support contract for maintenance, engineering, and tech modernization. Consumer Protection: FTC proposed tougher scrutiny of “personalized pricing” tied to consumer data, seeking public comment. Healthcare Access: CMS data shows U.S. emergency department wait times averaging 2+ hours, with Maryland around 4 hours 11 minutes.

Data Centers & Federal Contracts: AiNET Corp and former CEO Deepak Jain agreed to pay $1.8M to resolve SEC False Claims Act allegations tied to its Beltsville, Md., data center misrepresenting Tier standards. Cybersecurity & Telecom: University of Birmingham researchers in Baltimore showed how compromised SIM cards can be used to send modem commands, expanding the attack surface for phones and EV chargers. AI & Legal Education: UMD law professors say AI is here to stay as Maryland law schools debate classroom rules, with some banning tools and others focusing on enforceable guidance. Public Safety Infrastructure: Allegany County will add a backup public safety radio tower for Cumberland emergency communications. Energy & Offshore Wind: A report says offshore wind is struggling under policy and permitting headwinds just as East Coast power needs rise. Local Environment & Agriculture: Maryland expanded the box tree moth quarantine to more Eastern Shore counties, warning boxwoods can be killed quickly. Health & Aging Research: A study links blood protein biomarkers to future disability risk in the oldest-old, aiming for earlier intervention. Space & Science: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to launch to probe dark energy, dark matter, gravity, and exoplanets.

Maryland Agriculture & Biosecurity: The Maryland Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS expanded the box tree moth quarantine to Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s counties, bringing the total to eight counties and requiring certificates of inspection and compliance agreements for regulated boxwood moves. Local Business & Community: Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Galt family permanently conserved 231+ acres in Kent County with help from the DoD’s REPI program, protecting cropland, pasture, forest habitat and creek frontage. Public Safety & Enforcement: U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized about $150,000 worth of khat at BWI after passengers tried to smuggle the contraband; CBP also reported other recent airport seizures tied to the same substance. Energy & Infrastructure: Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns joined opposition to the Valley Link 765-kilovolt transmission line that would connect West Virginia to Frederick County, Maryland, as data-center power-line fights intensify. Tech & Finance: AiNET, which runs a data center in Beltsville, agreed to pay $1.8M to settle alleged SEC False Claims Act violations over claimed data-center tier standards. Workforce & Health Services: Autism therapy providers’ labor tensions escalated as at least seven locations moved toward union representation, with a Rockville site tied to a strike. Consumer Protection: Maryland’s EBT program is pushing “chip-and-tap” fraud-resistant cards, with activation rates now over half of recipients and deactivation of old cards set for Sept. 30.

Maryland Federal Facilities: Maryland’s congressional delegation says a court ruling restores the FBI headquarters project to Greenbelt, pushing back a Trump administration move to redirect the site and protect taxpayer-funded, competitively selected plans. Energy & Power Demand: A new analysis flags data centers’ “all-of-the-above” power buildout—developers are reportedly planning dozens of new natural gas plants to feed server demand—raising emissions concerns and reigniting debate over clean-energy tradeoffs. Renewables in the Region: Maryland also continues advancing solar procurement, with reporting that a new 20-year solar deal is expected to cut state energy costs by hundreds of millions. Food & Hospitality Operations: A Maryland commercial kitchen deep-cleaning firm named Alexis Morales as branch manager, signaling continued growth in institutional and restaurant sanitation services. Public Health & Consumer Safety: Maryland county officials approved the first agricultural use of composted human remains, while separate coverage highlights restaurant inspection findings in the region and ongoing food-safety scrutiny. Local Infrastructure & Community: Baltimore’s Inner Harbor gets a $35 million Rash Field Park makeover, aiming to add beach, courts, and outdoor recreation as construction nears a summer opening. Fraud Watch: Consumer alerts continue as scam-report trackers show persistent fraud losses nationwide, underscoring the need for tighter local awareness.

Commercial Services: CE Kitchen Cleaning (Calamus Enterprises LLC) named Alexis Morales as Maryland branch manager, aiming to strengthen on-the-ground oversight for commercial kitchen deep cleaning across Maryland and Washington, D.C. Public Health & Consumer Safety: Fromm recalled wet dog food nationwide over potential metal contamination, and a separate Oma’s Pride recall update followed dog illness reports—pet owners are urged to check lot codes and stop feeding affected products. Local Government & Infrastructure: Maryland’s DNR will open Savage Highlands State Park Aug. 28 in Garrett County, expanding access to trails and cabins after the state acquired the former Savage River Lodge. Energy & Federal Funding: Garrett Regional Medical Center is set to receive $1 million to plan and design an on-site radiology department for cancer treatment, alongside other Garrett County water and sanitary district projects totaling about $3.75 million. Policy & Industry Pressure: A new wave of backlash is targeting data centers as political flashpoints, with electricity and water costs driving local opposition. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker updates show continued scam activity nationwide, with Maryland consumers still facing high-risk online and counterfeit-product schemes.

Data Centers & Local Power Planning: Maryland counties pausing data center development are being told the moratorium won’t stop projects forever—state and grid officials say this is the moment for local governments to set clear conditions (schools, roads, community upgrades) so deals can move forward without overloading the electric system. Utility Rates: BGE is seeking a guaranteed 10.4% profit margin for 2027, arguing it’s needed to “keep the lights on,” while critics question whether regulators are simply repeating past returns as bills rise. Manufacturing Jobs: A broader manufacturing rebound is showing up in hiring and production, though analysts say gains are concentrated in tariff-protected sectors rather than a full “golden age.” Food Safety Recalls: Two U.S. dog food recalls hit Maryland distribution—one tied to Salmonella and another to possible metal contamination—prompting pet owners to stop feeding affected lots. Public Finance (Aviation Bonds): A Maryland Transportation Authority airport facility revenue bond public hearing notice was canceled, affecting a proposed Passenger Facility Charge bond plan for BWI. Workforce & Training: Maryland’s skilled trades pipeline gets a boost as a carpenters apprentice-ready program expands pathways for new workers.

Maryland Economic Development & Jobs: Maryland’s newest state park, Savage Highlands State Park near Frostburg, is dedicated ahead of an Aug. 28 opening, adding access to 55,000 acres of state forest plus cabins, yurts, and trails—good news for Western Maryland tourism and outdoor services. Consumer Protection: Baltimore logged 8 scam reports for the week ending Aug. 15, with online purchase scams leading and losses totaling $300.17 in reported dollar cases—another reminder for shoppers to double-check payments and delivery claims. Public Safety & Infrastructure: A rare tornado hit Dover, Delaware, damaging a manufacturing plant and Route 13 businesses, including storm impacts at a Kraft Heinz facility—an operational risk story for manufacturers and logistics along major corridors. Trade & Supply Chains: Canada and the U.S. are escalating after talks collapsed, with 50% tariffs looming and retaliatory action promised—watch for knock-on effects to construction materials and industrial inputs. Outdoor & Local Business: Maryland’s outdoor economy gets a boost as the park’s lodge-and-cabin setup turns wilderness access into a year-round service opportunity.

Education Funding: Calvert County certified nearly $169.8M in recurring local funding for Calvert County Public Schools for FY 2027, confirming the county’s annual current-expense support for salaries, instruction, transportation, utilities and more. Labor & Public Sector: Maryland AFSCME Council 3 president Patrick Moran was elected president of AFSCME International, a move that highlights the union’s growth in the state and its push on workplace protections and wage theft enforcement. Energy & Infrastructure: Randolph County, WV commissioners unanimously opposed the Valley North 765-kilovolt transmission line that would run toward Frederick County, MD, citing property-rights concerns and out-of-state benefit. Real Estate & Data Services: ParcelRecordsUSA expanded its Maryland property-records search across all 24 jurisdictions, aiming to make public-record research easier for buyers, professionals and residents. Local Business & Growth: Potbelly is set to open in Cockeysville at Yorktowne Plaza, with a Sept. 12 grand opening and promotions for early guests. Public Health Supply: Shreveport paused water fluoridation after a nationwide chemical shortage, noting other U.S. cities—including Baltimore—have reduced fluoride treatment. Sports (Maryland ties): Baltimore topped Tampa Bay as Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead two-run homer, while the Orioles’ season storylines continue to draw attention.

FBI Headquarters Fight: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plan to relocate the FBI HQ to the Ronald Reagan Building, keeping Maryland’s Greenbelt site in play and vacating the prior D.C. selection. Public Safety & Privacy: Maryland AG Jay Jones joined a multistate push to stop the Trump administration from demanding CDL drivers’ personal information, with a court order temporarily blocking the data grab. Consumer Protection: The FTC moved to crack down on “personalized pricing,” warning companies to clearly disclose when prices are tailored using consumer data. Trade Enforcement: U.S. Customs seized 2,250 cartons of counterfeit Camel cigarettes at Dulles, worth $400,000+ if real, after unusual routing and logo markings. Healthcare Ops: Nursing homes are preparing for the risk-based survey era, but providers warn surveyor subjectivity still makes readiness and data access critical. Local Industry & Construction: Baltimore County broke ground on its first public splash pad at Northwest Regional Park, with construction through 2027 and an expected 2028 opening. Defense Tech: Elroy Air won a ~$46M U.S. Army contract (Aberdeen Proving Ground) to develop an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone system, targeting completion in 2029. Energy & Jobs: Maryland reported strong job growth in July, with employment up by about 11,700–12,000 jobs.

Defense Contracting: The U.S. Navy awarded General Atomics a $42.9M order for EMALS and AAG spare parts supporting in-service Ford-class carriers, with work through April 2034 and contracting handled by Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland. Energy & Solar: Maryland approved a 20-year solar power purchase agreement expected to save the state about $300M, adding renewable electricity starting in 2028. Mental Health Policy: Maryland launched a court-ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment program in Baltimore and some counties, allowing petitions for mandated community treatment for people with severe mental illness. Housing Permitting Tech: Cities are turning to AI to speed housing approvals by catching incomplete applications earlier, supported by new federal funding for automated permitting systems. Data Privacy: Maryland privacy advocates filed a complaint alleging seven companies violated the state’s new data privacy law, urging the attorney general to enforce it. Local Community Support: St. Mary’s County approved nearly $931,000 in grants to help older adults and caregivers stay safely at home.

Solar & Energy Deal: Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a 20-year, $470M solar power purchase with REV Renewables for the Jade Meadow III project on a reclaimed Lower Georges Creek coalfield, targeting about 250,000 MWh a year and roughly 15% of the state’s portfolio by 2028. Power Infrastructure Fight: The 4th Circuit upheld a ruling letting PSEG access private properties for the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, a 70-mile transmission line that opponents say mainly supports Northern Virginia data centers. Agriculture Tech Funding: USDA reappropriated $37M to fully fund a precision agriculture facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after decommissioning Beltsville’s agricultural research center, shifting some work to other sites. Consumer Pricing Scrutiny: The FTC is seeking public comment on enforcement around personalized pricing, warning retailers that using personal data to set prices without clear disclosure could violate federal law. Local Business & Construction: Ocean City Council rejected a land purchase for a future sports complex after nearby residents pushed back; separately, MD DOT scheduled an I-70/I-81 interchange lane detour in Washington County. Media Industry Shift: WMAR-2 in Baltimore moved to anchorless, streaming-heavy broadcasts, ending roles for some on-air staff as the station leans on automation and prerecorded segments.

Clean Energy Deal: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the state Department of General Services announced a 20-year power purchase agreement with REV Renewables tied to the Jade Meadow III Solar Project in Western Maryland, expected to cut costs by about $300 million over two decades and supply roughly 250,000 megawatt-hours annually starting in 2028. Data Privacy Push: Privacy and civil rights groups urged Maryland’s attorney general to investigate data brokers over alleged sales of Marylanders’ geolocation data to law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, naming companies including Penlink and Thomson Reuters. Housing Affordability: A Howard County advocacy effort says “junk fees” tied to rentals—like Wi-Fi, trash, and package delivery—are worsening affordability and is pressing for a county fix to make tenant complaints easier. School Facilities Turf War: Montgomery County Public Schools is moving ahead with a $55 million synthetic turf plan, reigniting debate over maintenance and cost versus student health and environmental concerns. Grid Reliability: The Trump administration invoked emergency authority to keep a Maryland generating unit running longer to prevent Mid-Atlantic power shortfalls for about 65 million people. Consumer Finance Court Fight: A federal judge refused to send Baltimore’s consumer-protection lawsuit against Dave Inc. back to state court.

Baltimore Lead-Paint Lawsuit: Baltimore City has joined residents’ legal action over a botched TV Hill transmission-tower repainting that scattered toxic lead chips, while the city also faces its own bridge lead-flake problem after peeling lead paint continues to shed from city-owned bridges. EV Charging Rollout: Wawa is expanding beyond Tesla by rolling out Wawa-branded DC fast chargers using Electrify America’s white-label network, with sites offering up to 400 kW and both NACS/CCS options in parts of Pennsylvania. Food & Consumer Protection: Maryland’s FDA inspections in Q2 focused heavily on food and cosmetics, and a separate consumer push highlights how “Best By/Use By/Sell By” labels can confuse shoppers about safety. AI Skills in Maryland: Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and Great Learning launched an 18-week agentic AI certificate program in Baltimore. Skilled Trades Training Expansion: Lincoln Educational Services plans a new Tempe, Arizona campus and points to ongoing Maryland campus buildouts. Energy & National Security: Experts warn Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile-defense plan may not fully protect the U.S. and could spur an arms race. Local Business & Finance: HomeTrust is set to acquire Blue Ridge Bank in a $448M all-stock deal, expanding HomeTrust’s Southeast footprint. Public Safety: St. Mary’s County installed speed cameras at six schools after a contract approved in 2025. Historic Preservation: The Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse Project earned a national preservation award for restoration and volunteer work tied to the Chesapeake Bay landmark.