Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz joined EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. (EA) and Merritt Properties to announce that construction has started on a new headquarters for the environmental and engineering firm.  EA will be the first tenant of Schilling Green II, occupying two full floors of the Hunt Valley building, which is planned for LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

EA's new headquarters will consolidate more than 200 employees from three Baltimore County and one York, Pennsylvania, location into a single building.  The company plans to hire about 40 new employees over the next four years. Private investment totals $27 million for the headquarters building and new EA ecotoxicology and biological testing laboratories to be built next door.

"For nearly 40 years, Baltimore County has provided the business environment, technical talent, and innovative thinking EA needs to thrive," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. "We are thrilled that EA has chosen to make a significant investment and add new jobs here. We are especially pleased that they will be in a building constructed to the highest standards for sustainable, green construction and operations."

Merritt Properties is building Schilling Green II, located at 225 Schilling Circle.  The Class A office building reduces energy consumption with an enhanced building envelope, efficient HVAC, high-performance lighting, photovoltaic panels, and a building Energy Management System.

Baltimore County is providing a $50,000 conditional loan to EA.  In addition, the State is providing a $200,000 conditional loan through the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development. When EA is ready to hire, Baltimore County also can provide workforce recruitment support and screening services at no cost, through the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Economic Development.

“EA’s commitment to investing and creating new jobs in Maryland speaks to the quality and availability of our workforce, our strategic location and the supportive business climate that the State and our partners in Baltimore County offer to businesses,” said Christian S. Johansson, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development “This is a great example of the positive impact that State and local governments can have when they leverage resources and work together to help businesses expand and create jobs.”

Merritt Properties may be eligible for Baltimore County's High Performance Building Tax Credit, which offers an 80% tax credit for five years for new commercial construction that has been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council at the LEED Platinum level. There is a sliding tax credit scale for construction at the Gold or Silver level.