AGP Executive Report

AI & Jobs: Gov. Wes Moore says Maryland workers have “reason to be concerned” about AI, but his plan for protecting jobs remains light on specifics as the state pushes to lead in the tech. Data Centers & Power: A new look at Maryland’s data-center policy shows 13 jurisdictions with moratoriums and a full Harford ban, while Moore’s administration moved to ease generator rules—setting up a high-stakes election contrast. Life Sciences & Funding: Identifai Genetics is raising $10M ahead of a proposed ASX listing to advance its AI-powered Windrose prenatal genetic testing platform toward U.S. clinical validation. Environment & Legal Fight: States including Maryland sued the Trump administration over rules that weaken Endangered Species Act protections, challenging changes to how “harm” is defined and how threatened species get protections. Local Infrastructure: Rock Hall is working through engineering and payload-load requirements to let Verizon place upgraded equipment on town water towers to improve weak cell service. Food & Health: A Phase 3 trial is underway for remibrutinib pills to prevent reactions in teens and adults with peanut, milk, or egg allergies, with Maryland among the participating centers. Education & Community: Maryland’s literacy push and a new $3M education boost for schools highlight ongoing state focus on early learning and student support.

Howard County Food Logistics: Saval Foods broke ground on a new 230,000-square-foot headquarters and distribution center in Columbia, aiming to add 107 jobs over four years while keeping 391 roles. Maryland Agriculture Spotlight: Caroline Winterstein was crowned the 64th Maryland Dairy Princess, set to promote the state’s dairy industry across fairs, schools, and community events. Port Trade Enforcement: U.S. Customs seized $142,372 worth of plywood at the Maryland port, alleging Chinese origin was hidden using stolen identity and altered paperwork to dodge duties. Public Safety Disruption: A 12-inch water main break in Cockeysville hit several businesses and fire hydrants, with crews working to repair the damage. Healthcare Scam Alert: Health systems warned of a phishing surge using “MyChart” branding to lure people into paying shipping fees or sharing payment details. Policy Fight Over Wildlife: 20 states and DC sued the Trump administration over Endangered Species Act rollbacks, challenging changes that could make habitat protections easier to weaken. Maritime Workforce: MARAD named 16 maritime training Centers of Excellence, expanding the pipeline for mariners and apprentices nationwide.

Data Centers & Power Costs: A new report revisits how “dirty” the computing boom can be, as data centers strain electricity supply and raise bills—sparking fresh scrutiny of who pays when demand surges. Retail Tech & Food Prices: A U.S. report warns electronic shelf labels could shrink grocery paychecks and push prices higher, arguing the tech enables surveillance-style pricing. Maryland Literacy: Maryland’s fourth-grade reading drop is spotlighted as a “crisis,” with advocates pushing stronger parent-school partnerships and state action. Public Health (Medical Tech): A randomized trial finds ketamine can reduce pain in interventional radiology procedures without worsening respiratory safety. Transportation & Safety: MDOT announced $11.3M for 24 Maryland bicycle, pedestrian, and trail projects, aiming to improve safety and connectivity. Chesapeake Bay Ecology: Maryland reports continued growth in underwater grasses, signaling improving bay conditions. Local Business/Industry: Wine & Beer Supply expands into hops ingredients after acquiring a Maryland hops supplier, betting on deeper supply-chain services for brewers. Healthcare Business (Maryland presence): RadNet schedules investor and public-facing prostate cancer events, underscoring ongoing imaging and outreach activity tied to Maryland markets.

Chesapeake Bay Recovery: Maryland DNR says underwater grass coverage jumped nearly 13% in 2025, reaching about 89,385 acres across the Bay and signaling progress toward the state’s restoration goals. Defense Manufacturing: Gov. Moore joined Northrop Grumman for a ribbon cutting of a $100M Propulsion Innovation Center in Elkton, adding about 250 engineering jobs and boosting propulsion capacity. Workforce & Education: UMES renamed its School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences for late professor Simon A. Haley, highlighting agriculture education roots at an HBCU. Active Transportation Funding: MDOT announced $11.3M for 24 bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects statewide, including design and safety upgrades in multiple counties and Baltimore City. Housing & Local Business: Maryland is suing Ovenbird Bakery for over $650,000 tied to a 2023 state loan, seeking repayment through a confessed judgment. Aviation & Regional Growth: FAA cleared Washington Manassas Airport to pursue commercial passenger service, with service expected by end of 2027. Community Recreation: Baltimore’s Waterfront Partnership is set to celebrate the expanded Rash Field Park with a ribbon cutting and free activities. Airline Fleet Update: Breeze Airways retired its last Embraer 190s and is now fully on the Airbus A220 fleet as it expands routes.

Biotech & Health: Sernova and Seraxis ink a definitive deal to merge into BetaNova Biotherapeutics, aiming to advance type 1 diabetes islet cell replacement (SR-02) with dosing targeted for Q1 2027 and a next-gen gene-edited program (SR-03) planned for H2 2027; the combined company will be U.S.-based in Germantown, with a planned close in November 2026. Maryland Public Funding: Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved $9M+ in DNR grants for parks, recreation, and land conservation across Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Worcester counties, including upgrades tied to the Edgewater Recreation Center and a new Laurel park. Aviation & Local Economy: Southwest began construction on its first premium airport lounges—at Baltimore/Washington among other hubs—partnering with Chase, with openings expected by late 2027. Real Estate & Growth: Viva White Oak, a $2.7B mixed-use project in eastern Montgomery County, is set to break ground by year-end, with major retail and housing plans. Infrastructure Tension: Baltimore and Baltimore County continue to clash over who pays to replace the Warren Road bridge near Loch Raven Reservoir, with costs estimated up to $35M. Cyber/Telecom Crime: Copper wire thefts are repeatedly knocking out phone and internet service in Cecil County, with Verizon calling it the most impacted area in Maryland. Food Safety & Industry: A national food safety education push highlights the broader system behind inspections and outbreak response, including traceability and pathogen-focused work.

Maryland Consumer Law: Maryland’s new Oct. 1 ban on “surveillance pricing” is set to force big retailers like Walmart to stop using shoppers’ data to single out customers for higher prices. Public Transit & Construction: Metro’s Red Line reopened three stations (Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda) after a nine-week partial shutdown, moving 1.2M riders via free shuttles during major work. AI & Work: Cognizant says AI could shift $4.5T in U.S. labor and plans to hire 1,500 graduates, underscoring how Maryland-area tech employers may be reshaping hiring and job design. Botanical Drugs & Rural Industry: The FDA opened a botanical drug docket as Appalachia’s wild ginseng season ramps up under federal trade rules, spotlighting how regulation meets harvest-based supply chains. Local Business & Mobility: Simple Moving Solutions expanded Pennsylvania coverage from its Chadds Ford base, pointing to steady relocation demand in the Philly suburbs. Culture & Community Investment: CEANA’s 33rd convention in Bethesda pushed for bigger Ewe diaspora investment tied to healthcare, education, and cross-border enterprise.

Medicaid Accountability: Maryland AG Anthony Brown sued UnitedHealth/Optum over a Medicaid behavioral health computer system that allegedly crashed on day one, was offline for eight months, and “never functioned properly,” seeking $380M—about triple what the state paid. Defense & Manufacturing: Northrop Grumman won a $508.49M Missile Defense Agency follow-on to support IRBM/ICBM target flights and logistics through Aug. 2035, with work tied to Arizona, Utah, and Elkton, Md. Local Food Safety: Pennsylvania’s restaurant inspection roundup flagged issues like dirty food-contact surfaces and missing sanitizer test strips—showing how compliance failures can quickly become public health risks. AI in Education: University of Baltimore instructors are experimenting with new ways to manage generative AI in online courses, including tools that track writing activity. Energy & Climate: A report warns extreme heat is driving more public health alerts and school disruptions, pushing communities toward new cooling and preparedness habits. Tech & Logistics: Research teams are studying how shipping noise and marine life signals travel under Arctic ice as routes open. Maryland Business/Policy: Maryland voters will decide congressional redistricting, but online gaming expansion still won’t be on the ballot—keeping gambling rules tightly state-controlled.

U.S. Energy & Policy: Labor Day gas prices are hitting record highs, with the national average around $4.14 as crude stays near $90 a barrel amid Strait of Hormuz volatility. AI Power Crunch: Tech investor James Altucher argues AI is constrained less by chips and more by electricity—and says the “fix” is moving AI operations into orbit. Maryland Tech/Industry: Maryland’s Smith School is launching a 1-year MBA, joining a wave of accelerated programs aimed at working professionals. Local Business & Consumer Protection: Maryland’s new law restricts what businesses can put in consumer contracts, starting Oct. 1. Transportation & Infrastructure: Metro’s Red Line shutdown is wrapping up as crews remove temporary bus lanes tied to Purple Line construction. Maryland Culture & Tourism: Annapolis and Anne Arundel County published a September events roundup, spotlighting major festivals like the Annapolis Songwriters Festival and Maryland Seafood Festival. Sports (Local Interest): Maryland women’s soccer beats Binghamton 2-1 on a late penalty goal.

MLB Rules Watch: Major League Baseball is weighing roster and game-use changes, including allowing 14 pitchers on 26-man rosters and tightening when position players can pitch, as blowouts and “position-player pitching” are drawing backlash for hurting the sport’s integrity. Baltimore Sports: The Orioles’ late-season pitching grind continues to shape matchups and betting as September ramps up. Chesapeake Bay Conservation: “The Last Osprey” documentary spotlights troubling osprey reproductive declines tied to food shortages and chick starvation, with a Maryland screening and discussion planned. Public Health & Home Life: Maryland fall allergies are in full swing as ragweed and other pollens drive sneezing and itchy eyes, with guidance on managing exposure at home and outdoors. Transportation Safety: Charles County is debating speed cameras on U.S. 301 and MD 228 under a new state law, while privacy and safety concerns remain front and center. Water Tech: A new algae-based river-cleaning system at Bladensburg Waterfront Park aims to reduce pollution without creating oxygen-depleting “dead zones.” Housing & Construction: A broader housing debate is emerging around building-code changes that could allow single-stair residential complexes—balancing affordability with fire-safety rules.

Power Restoration & Grid Stress: Pepco says it has restored power to all but about 7,600 of more than 76,000 customers knocked out by damaging storms, with crews still working through equipment and pole damage. Healthcare Infrastructure: Baltimore VA Medical Center earned primary stroke care center status, aiming to speed treatment under the “time is brain” model. Housing Market Signals: Realtor.com data shows home prices per square foot falling year-over-year in 36 of 50 biggest metros, with Baltimore among the biggest decliners. Energy Costs & Data Centers: Fairfax County schools report averaging 100+ outages a month and paying roughly $100,000 in electrician overtime, with officials linking strain to rising demand from data centers. Aviation Disruption in Maryland: American Airlines flights diverted to Baltimore after passenger incidents and FAA ground stops hit six major Northeast airports as Labor Day travel ramps up. Local Business & Community: Baltimore named the Tuliptree as its official city tree after nearly 2,000 residents voted. Public Safety & Justice: ICE placed a detainer on a driver tied to a deadly wrong-way crash on I-270 in Bethesda, as manslaughter charges move forward. Food & Policy Watch: A proposal would end SNAP’s Restaurant Meals Program after $524M in benefits were spent at fast food restaurants nationwide over two years, including about $475M in California.

Consumer Contract Clampdown: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed HB 103, starting Oct. 1, limiting what consumer contracts can take away—businesses can’t waive statutory damages, punitive damages, injunctions, or other key remedies. Space & Tech Jobs: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope—built, assembled, and tested at Goddard in Greenbelt—launched Aug. 30 on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy, with Maryland playing a central role in the mission’s buildout. Energy & Infrastructure Pressure: A Chesapeake Bay region wave of data center pushback is growing, with local bans and moratoriums tied to power strain, water use, and diesel generator concerns. Local Housing Support: Moore announced a Maryland Mortgage Program product for first responders and teachers, with lower rates plus 5% down payment/closing help for first-time buyers. Medical Supply Recall: Baxter and B. Braun issued separate recalls of 0.9% sodium chloride IV solutions after particles were found in sealed bags, including Maryland distribution. Public Transit Update: Metro’s Red Line Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore station shutdowns end Sept. 7 as Purple Line connections near completion.

Food Safety & Manufacturing: Two separate recalls of 0.9% sodium chloride IV solutions hit within days—Baxter (fiberglass particles) and B. Braun (iron oxide)—with Maryland listed among affected states, raising fresh attention on sterile supply-chain controls. Public Health & Access: Maryland updated 2026-27 income rules for free and reduced-price school meals, clarifying eligibility thresholds and reapplication triggers for families. Healthcare Ops & Compliance: A Maryland-linked unsealed qui tam complaint targets 70+ tax-exempt nonprofits over alleged PPP loan fraud, spotlighting timing-based eligibility and potential repayment exposure. Port & Shipping Risk: A Coast Guard Key Bridge inquiry says U.S. ports face growing risks as larger ships outpace older assessment tools, with the Port of Baltimore’s 2024 collapse still shaping national scrutiny. Energy & Resilience: A Bolton Hill power surge and house fire renewed questions about grid reliability and neutral-wire issues. Ag & Community: Southern Maryland’s Sunflower Festival returns Sept. 5-6 at Serenity Farm, blending local agriculture, heritage, and family events. Tech & Government AI: CMS is shifting AI strategy from usage counts to measurable outcomes, signaling how federal agencies may evaluate AI deployments. Transportation & Travel: Labor Day travelers in Maryland brace for heavy crowds and higher gas prices, with BWI pausing part of runway work over the holiday.

Data Centers in the Spotlight: Baltimore County residents packed a public hearing as the county weighs how to regulate new data center proposals, with a report flagging heavy electricity use and recommending they stay away from residential areas. Energy Efficiency Policy: Maryland regulators are considering cuts to EmPOWER Maryland, the state’s energy efficiency program, after utilities proposed reductions that could lower bills but may raise future grid costs. Port & Logistics Push: State Sen. James Biney is urging investment in the Port of Harper, arguing dredging and rehabilitation could boost shipping, warehousing, and jobs. Workforce & Leadership Pipeline: Leadership Maryland is accepting applications for its 2027 Executive and Emerging Leader programs, aiming to grow local business and community leadership. Public Media for HBCUs: NPR is launching an immersion day for students from Bowie State, Howard, and Morgan State to learn how public radio works and shape future content. Travel & Premium Amenities: Southwest Airlines plans its first airport lounge network, including a BWI location, tied to a new Chase premium card. Local Business & Community: A Maryland diaper bank is suing its former landlord over alleged warehouse roof leaks that disrupted distribution and caused major financial losses.

Energy & Power Development: FirstEnergy named Jon Dormo VP of Generation Project Development, aiming to plan and build new power generation for growing demand in West Virginia and Maryland. Public Works & Construction: Maryland’s Purple Line is 92% complete, with fall Community Advisory Team meetings set for Oct. 13–28 as live-wire light rail testing expands. Transportation Infrastructure: MDOT released its $21.9B draft transportation plan (FY27–32), including Key Bridge rebuild work and Martin State Airport improvements. Urban Development & Housing: Annapolis could see a nearly 50-home community on a former radio-station site, with traffic concerns raised at a public meeting. Workforce & Education: Montgomery College launched new animation credentials—an A.F.A. and an animation certificate—geared to digital media and creative tech jobs. Agriculture & Environment: Maryland is accepting applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program (about $349K available) to fund community stewardship and forestry projects on agricultural land. Tech & Policy: A Maryland Tax Court ruling struck down the state’s digital advertising tax, setting up legal pressure on similar efforts in other states. Business & Community: Visit Annapolis is running Café Diem, an eight-day coffee crawl from Sept. 27–Oct. 4, using a digital pass for participating local shops.

Biotech & Forestry: The Trump administration planted genetically engineered Darling 54 American chestnut trees near the White House and USDA deregulated them, reigniting debate over genetically modified forest restoration and permitting. Defense & Tech: The Army secretary vacancy is taking shape after Dan Driscoll’s resignation, with acting leadership and readiness questions in focus as drone combat reshapes priorities. Local Business & Food: Twosome Place, the South Korean coffee-and-cake chain, is entering the U.S. with its first store in Alexandria in October and plans to expand across the DMV, aiming for a premium pairing experience. Cybersecurity: Researchers and security leaders warn that AI is speeding up software flaw discovery and making cyber threats more accessible, raising the pace of risk for organizations. Aerospace/Engineering: Johns Hopkins APL in Laurel is developing a compact phase-change heatsink using additive manufacturing to manage extreme heat in space- and weight-limited systems. Energy & Economy: A Fed Beige Book report says economic activity edged up and prices rose moderately, with mixed sentiment tied to higher energy costs and policy uncertainty. Consumer Finance (Baltimore): Maryland’s “sandwich generation” is carrying rising unsecured debt, with one Baltimore woman describing how family support and bills pushed her into $33K credit card debt. Sports & Community: A Maryland-based custom apparel brand, NeiDIG-IT Promotions & Marketing, is building a purpose-driven business model tied to community fundraising and remembrance themes.

Data Centers & Local Control: Baltimore County council members are weighing a longer pause on data center development, proposing to extend the existing moratorium to December 2027 as residents push back on land use, water impacts, and traffic. Public Safety & Fraud: A new Associated Press/Frontline report says scams hit record levels nationwide, with victims often getting little help and sometimes losing even more. Maryland Transportation: An audit finds the Maryland Transportation Authority has $818M in unpaid tolls from out-of-state drivers, with recovery slowed by cross-state enforcement limits. Chesapeake Bay Research: Maryland DNR contracted Lyman-Morse Workboats for a 59-foot aluminum research vessel to support year-round monitoring and habitat work on the Bay and Atlantic nearshore. Energy & Industry: Dewhurst Group says it secured a geothermal exploration permit in Colombia for the Cóndor Paipa project, aiming to expand baseload power. Travel & Aviation: Southwest Airlines plans its first airport lounges, including at BWI, with openings targeted for late 2027. STEM & Education: Maryland State Fair coverage highlights the next generation of farmers and agriculture talent, while Worcester County is launching an economic growth study aimed at diversifying industries and jobs.