By William Patalon III
State officials, according to William Patalon of the Baltimore Sun,
were unable to say how many people the companies will employ in
Maryland. The state is offering financial incentives - possibly
including such things as rent breaks, financing and work-force
development assistance - but it would not discuss the specific
packages offered to the companies or to quantify the value of the
incentives.
About 30 Israeli companies have operations in Maryland, according to
the Maryland/Israel Development Center in Baltimore. The
not-for-profit group was created in 1992 to help Maryland and Israel
collaborate on business.
Both should benefit in the long run, said Joseph Morgenstern, a
business consultant and publisher of Israel High-Tech & Investment
Report, a monthly newsletter based in Tel Aviv.
Israel has developed technological strengths in such areas as
medicine and biotechnology, data management, network security and
surveillance. But the country's small size - its population is
slightly more than 6 million - and its inability to market to many of
its neighbors means it must export to thrive, experts said.
Sun reporter
Originally published November 9, 2005
Two Israel-based technology companies are shifting headquarters
operations to Maryland, and three other companies are opening key
offices here as part of the state's push to recruit Israeli high-tech
companies, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele said during a visit a recent
visit to Israel
"The prospects for good growth are a key part of the program," said
Steele, who was on a five-day trade mission to Israel. "The days of a
state landing a major manufacturing plant with 5,000 or 10,000 jobs
are over. Today, it's about technology."