Maryland

Economic study: Sphere National Harbor could bring $1.5B to Maryland, $1.3B to county

Published

2 weeks ago

February 18, 2026

Economic study: Sphere National Harbor could bring .5B to Maryland, .3B to county

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (7News) — Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday released a new economic analysis that claims that the planned Sphere National Harbor venue would generate billions in economic activity for the county and the state.

The 6,000-seat venue — the second Sphere in the United States — is projected to create $1.3 billion in economic impact for Prince George’s County once operational, according to the analysis by EY. Another $200 million in economic activity is expected elsewhere in Maryland, bringing the statewide total to $1.5 billion.

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Construction alone is expected to generate $1.6 billion in economic benefits for the county and an additional $250 million statewide, the report found.

To secure the project, state and county leaders have pledged $200 million in incentives, including $13.5 million in direct public expenditures, a package officials said was necessary to land the venue and keep it from going to another state.

“We knew immediately Sphere National Harbor was going to be transformational,” Braveboy said. “This new economic data has reconfirmed how amazing a win this is for the people of Prince George’s County and Maryland.”

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Moore called the project one of the largest economic investments in county history, saying it would create jobs, spur growth, and “showcase the very best of Maryland to the world.”

Sphere Entertainment Co. executives said they expect the venue to become a regional landmark. The project is being developed in partnership with Peterson Companies, the master developer of National Harbor.

The updated analysis shows higher job creation than initially projected. Construction is expected to support 3,350 jobs, including full and parttime positions tied to suppliers and consumer spending. Once open, the venue is projected to support 7,100 jobs in Prince George’s County — including 1,250 Sphere employees — and another 880 jobs elsewhere in Maryland, for a total of nearly 8,000 positions.

Officials said the project will strengthen National Harbor’s position as a major entertainment destination and deliver longterm economic benefits for the region.

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Maryland

SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

SUN: Dozens of vehicles moved to planned Maryland ICE facility; advocates concerned

Advocacy groups are raising concerns over a warehouse in Washington County that is slated to become an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility after dozens of black SUVs were moved to the warehouse’s parking lot on Sunday.

“When federal enforcement vehicles begin lining the warehouse lot, it sends a clear message about what’s taking shape in our community,” said the organizer of Hagerstown Rapid Response, Claire Connor. “We refuse to let ICE quietly plant roots in Washington County without transparency, accountability and community consent.”

The 825,620-square-foot warehouse is located at 16220 Wright Road in Williamsport. Access to the facility was blocked by orange traffic barriers and signs outlining regulations and “governing conduct on federal property” with the Department of Homeland Security emblem at the top of the page.

In late January, Washington County issued a news release stating that on Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a letter to the county’s historic district commission and department of planning and zoning regarding the property.

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Read the full story on the Baltimore Sun’s website.

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Maryland

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

Published

22 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Howard County police investigate fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia

COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.

Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.

According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.

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Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.

No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.

The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.

The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.

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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.

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