ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced Howard County Government has purchased the building 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. At approximately 98,300 square feet and set to house several County departments, this new building will become a new opportunity and economic mobility center.
This year has been a challenging one for many of our residents, who were negatively impacted by federal government level cuts and the historic shutdown. With more than 50,000 government employees and contractors calling Howard County home, our community was hit particularly hard. To assist our neighbors in their time of need, we expanded our workforce resources and childcare services, as well as offered housing support. That is why we have decided to create a single location, where residents can go and easily and quickly find the resources they need to thrive and live their best life.
Over the course of the next year, 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive will open in phases, starting with the County’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) this December 2025. Currently headquartered 7161 Columbia Gateway Drive, OWD’s new location will offer job services for displaced federal workers and other residents who can access training workshops, receive job coaching and consulting, resume services, and so much more.
This center is designed with our community at heart. Residents deserve a single, accessible place where they can find meaningful support. Whether they’re rebuilding after the shutdown, changing careers, or seeking new opportunities, our new office enhances that mission, giving people a welcoming space equipped for today’s workforce needs. With housing and childcare partners just steps away, residents will have a direct line to the coaching, training, and comprehensive support needed to regain stability, build new skills, and take their next step.
In addition, the Maryland Department of Labor and the Maryland State Department of Education will be relocating to space within 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive.
"The new opportunity and economic mobility center brings key services together under one roof. This will make it possible for residents — including our federal workers — to access support more quickly and easily," said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. "We’re excited to deepen our partnership with Howard County and expand access to opportunity for every community member.”
In spring 2026, the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will move from its current location at 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive to the County’s new human services building at 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive. Like its former location, DHCD at its new location will continue to help residents and those looking to call Howard County home with MIHU rental and homeownership units, downpayment assistance, home repair support, referrals to affordable housing units, homebuyer education, and coordination of the county’s homeless response system.
“Following the realignment of the division of homeless services to the housing department last year, this new space will allow all divisions of the department to be together in one place and facilitate increased collaboration and coordination of programs and services,” said Kelly Cimino, DHCD Director.
In addition to OWD and DHCD, 9755 Patuxent Woods Drive will also feature a new childcare center for local government employees, nonprofit workers, and community members. Operated by the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks through its Recreational Licensed Child Care program, the childcare center will offer care to children from infancy to age five. Through its Recreational Licensed Child Care program, Recreation & Parks currently operates two Early Learning Centers geared towards children ages three to five and before- and after-care programs in 23 Howard County Public School System elementary schools. This will be the department’s first childcare center.
“The new childcare center expands our commitment to early childhood development for infants and young children,” stated Howard County Director of Recreation and Parks Nick Mooneyhan. “This center builds on our successful Recreational Licensed Child Care programs, which are licensed through the Maryland State Department of Education and designed to provide a safe, enriching environment that supports each child’s growth and learning. With licensed staff, inclusion specialists, and extensive experience running a full range of youth programs, this center is well-equipped to provide high-quality care for every child. This investment strengthens families, prepares children for kindergarten, and reflects our dedication to accessible, excellence-driven community services.”
This childcare center is the latest in a slew of initiatives Ball recently unveiled to increase the number of accessible childcare centers throughout the county. This past September, Ball joined the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) to break ground on its new Route One Corridor Campus, featuring a 6,000 square foot Early Childhood Education Center. Serving residents living in the county’s Elkridge, Jessup, Savage, and North Laurel communities, the new center will allow CAC to provide nearly 80 children from six weeks to five years old with a high-quality early childhood education.
Additionally, this past summer, Ball celebrated the grand opening of Howard County’s second Judy Center Early Learning Hub. Located at Stevens Forest Elementary School in Columbia, the Judy Center Early Learning Hub provides critical wraparound services to children from birth to age five to prepare them for success in school and life. Through various initiatives and community partnerships, Judy Center Early Learning Hubs focus on enhancing school readiness for children by providing support in child development and family support.
The activation of 9755 Patuxent Woods complements other County departments and offices, as well as nonprofit services that are co-located along Patuxent Woods Drive. This includes the County’s Department of Community Resources and Services at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, the Community Action Council of Howard County at 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, the NonProfit Collaborative at 9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, and the Maryland Department of Human Services’ Howard County Department of Social Services at 9780 Patuxent Woods Drive.