Officials hold ceremonial groundbreaking for new 240,000 square-foot facility in Laurel

Company plans to create 400 new jobs by 2018

BALTIMORE, Md. (August 18, 2014) – Today Lt. Governor Anthony Brown joined Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to announce state and county support for a new corporate headquarters in Laurel for The Coastal Companies, a leading Mid Atlantic produce and dairy supplier. Officials also held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new 240,000 square-foot headquarters, which is expected to be complete by early 2016. The new facilities will house the operations of various operating divisions of The Coastal Companies including Coastal Sunbelt Produce, East Coast Fresh, Cold Chain Logistics and Cold Chain Imports as well as The Coastal Companies Foundation. The company plans to create 400 new jobs by 2018.

“By working with our partners in Howard County, we are ensuring that The Coastal Companies – which has tripled in size over the last six years – has a new state-of-the-art facility with the space needed to expand and add new jobs ,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Our most important priority continues to be creating and retaining the kinds of jobs that will sustain Maryland’s economy for today and decades to come.”

“The continued investment in Maryland and Howard County by The Coastal Companies sends a strong message that Maryland has the right combination of highly-skilled workers and strategic location that world-class companies need to succeed,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “We are pleased to be able to help this home-grown Maryland company continue to expand and add 400 new jobs.”

The State, through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), has approved a $1 million conditional loan with the requirement that the company retain its jobs in Maryland. Howard County is also assisting with the Company’s relocation by providing $150,000 in property tax credits and placing the project in its Fast Track Development Process to expedite the review of applications and permits. The new headquarters is being constructed just 3 miles from the company’s current operation in Savage to accommodate staff and strengthen The Coastal Companies’ leading position in its core market.

“When we learned that The Coastal Companies was looking at several options as they sought room to grow, our whole team went to work. It took a hands-on approach and great partnerships to identify the right property and get it ready for this project," said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. "Coastal is a great corporate citizen, and I am proud of the training and advancement opportunities they provide for their workforce. It is great news for the state and the region that they are growing, right here in Howard County."

“We appreciate the support we have received from the State of Maryland and Howard County,” said The Coastal Companies CEO John Corso. “We believe our new headquarters will help us maintain our robust growth for years to come.”

Founded in 1992, The Coastal Companies has emerged as a major processor and distributor of fresh produce and dairy in the Mid-Atlantic. Based in Howard County, The Coastal Companies and its subsidiaries, Coastal Sunbelt Produce, East Coast Fresh, Cold Chain Logistics and Cold Chain Imports deliver foodservice to customers across six states and the District of Columbia and to major retail customers along the East Coast.