One of the economic engines of central Maryland is undoubtedly Fort George G. Meade.  Nearing its 100th year from its founding, the installation has evolved as a federal campus. On its 5400 acres, you will find units of all five branches of the military, and major federal agencies --  a total of over 80 organizations.

Maryland’s largest employer, the National Security Agency (NSA), anchors the army post’s defense and intelligence community.  Together, Ft. Meade and NSA represent the largest joint-service and intelligence center in the world.

And, there is more to come. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations further the intelligence mission of the post by assigning major intelligence components, including the Defense Information Systems Agency to Ft. Meade. The move of these defense agencies and their personnel is to be complete by 2011.  Along with DISA will come the contractors who are an integral part of its operations.  Defense Media Activities and Defense Adjudication were also transferred to Ft. Meade.

National Security Agency (NSA)
The National Security Agency is the United States’ cryptologic organization. Opening its doors in 1952, the agency is responsible for highly specialized activities to protect the information systems of the country, and produce foreign signals intelligence information.  On the frontier of communication and data processing, it is also an important center of foreign language analysis and research.

NSA is said to be the largest employer of mathematicians in the U.S., and perhaps the world. Its workforce represents an unusual combination of specialties: analysts, engineers, physicists, mathematicians, linguists, computer scientists, researchers, as well as customer relations specialists, security officers, data flow experts, managers, and administrative personnel. Maryland's largest employer, NSA's mission expanded in 2010 when the U.S. government created the U.S. Cyber Command.  The standup of this mission will further boost Ft. Meade's population and importatnce.  A founding member of the Partnership, the NSA clearly recognizes its role in the growing economy of the region. Representatives from the NSA are actively involved in Partnership activities.

Fort George G. Meade
A city in itself, Fort George G. Meade was sited between Baltimore City and Washington, D.C. in 1917, when it was first established as Camp Meade, a station for troops shipping out to fight in World War I.   Its mission has evolved dramatically over its history.

Estimates indicate that Ft. Meade currently contributes about $4 billion to the Maryland community, with its impact expected to grow to $5 billion within 15 years.  With major anticipated growth from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, Ft. Meade is readying to welcome 5400 new military and civilian employees on the base by the end of 2011.  New headquarter buildings have been completed, and enlivened commercial opportunities in the region.  The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) represents the largest of those re-assigned, with Department of Defense Media Activities, and Adjudication being the other major entities moving to the area.

Along with these assigned jobs, the contractors serving Ft. Meade’s agencies are either bolstering their existing presence, or relocating to the region, as they align their business units to serve the needs of both NSA and DISA.

The Partnership is involved on a daily basis in the planning and coordination of activities to deal with the growth of Ft. Meade. Our particular focus is transportation  -- both infrastructure, and transit and highway connectivity needed to ensure the influx of commuters and residents can be accommodated.  Our involvement includes active participation with government in related planning.

More Links
For more information on BRAC-realated activities in the Corridor, please consult the Fort Meade Alliance, Anne Arundel County BRAC Information Center, or the Governor’s Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure website.