Anduril wins 3,100 jobs for Sparrows Point with $210M tax break

The Baltimore County Council voted unanimously on Monday to grant Anduril Industries a $210 million tax exemption. The measure clears the way for the defense contractor to construct a shipyard at Tradepoint Atlantic in Sparrows Point.

The project has roots in a long history of steelmaking in the region. For decades, Bethlehem Steel occupied the same property, employing tens of thousands of residents. Councilman Julian Jones, a Democrat, noted his own family ties to the site. His father worked at Bethlehem Steel for 42 years. Jones told the council that while aggregate employment figures are important, the stability of a single job supports entire families.

Anduril announced the shipyard project last month. The facility will cover two million square feet, an area comparable to 40 football fields. The company plans to build components for the Virginia class attack submarine at the site. It also intends to position the facility to build large scale autonomous systems in the future.

Company officials stated that more than 3,100 people will work directly at the shipyard. Additional indirect employment is expected in sectors such as construction. Anduril’s chief strategy officer, Chris Brose, confirmed the scale of the operation when the project was first revealed. Governor Wes Moore later estimated that the project represents a $3.7 billion private capital investment. He described it as the largest private investment and job creation effort in Maryland in more than a decade.

The county’s tax break applies to personal property taxes over a 30 year period. The exemption covers maritime manufacturing property, including cranes, rail cars, forklifts, and drydocks. County officials argued that without the Anduril project, the specific taxable assets would not exist. Councilman David Marks, a Republican, framed the vote as a foundational step for regional growth.

County Executive Kathy Klausmeier was present for the vote. She said in a statement that the project’s impact will extend beyond the facility itself, creating opportunities for local businesses and workers. The council’s approval marks the first major government step in the project’s regulatory process.

The next phase involves the state government. A package of state incentives is expected to be introduced in the 2027 Maryland General Assembly session. Anduril expects to begin construction later this year. The company targets initial operations for the shipyard in 2030.