Northrop Grumman To Add 175 Jobs In Cecil County

ELKTON, MD — Global security company Northrop Grumman will add 175 jobs in the next five years in Cecil County. State officials announced that its Elkton plant already employs 400 workers.

“Our team in Elkton has delivered rocket motors for space launch and military applications for 70 years,” Northrop Grumman's Vice President and General Manager Mike Kahn said in a statement.

Northrop Grumman in 2018 purchased Orbital ATK, a solid rocket motor manufacturing company, and renamed it Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

It makes missile products, satellites, space components, propulsion systems, defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, ammunition and advanced aerospace structures, according to a statement from the governor's office.

“It is a great win for Maryland and Cecil County that Northrop Grumman is continuing to grow their operations here,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement on Tuesday, March 5. “Our administration has been focused on growing manufacturing in Maryland and this expansion and others like it is further proof that programs like More Jobs for Marylanders are really making a difference in strengthening our economy.”

Maryland and Cecil County assisted with more than $1 million in loans and grants. The Maryland Department of Commerce approved an $800,000 conditional loan and a $200,000 training grant, while Cecil County is providing an $80,000 conditional loan to help with Northrop Grumman's expansion.

"Northrop Grumman is Maryland’s largest manufacturing employer, and we are proud to support their continued investment in our state,” Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the company as they expand their aerospace and defense technology operations here and grow their workforce."

The company is also eligible for state tax credits including the Job Creation Tax Credit and the More Jobs for Marylanders Program.

“We are extremely pleased that the state of Maryland will be supporting investments in both infrastructure and in our workforce," Northrop Grumman's Kahn said in a statement. "Our continued partnership with both the state and county will ensure that the Elkton operation will continue to provide innovative technology to NASA and the Department of Defense for many years to come.”