Beltsville Prepares for New Federal Facility
New Beltsville Facility for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing Looks To Start Construction in 2024
The construction for the new Prince George's County-based location for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will begin late next year, but the progress is still moving forward. The 104-acre site at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) will house a new state-of-the-art and environmentally conscious production facility to print U.S. paper currency and other federal security products.
Before construction can begin very late in 2024, the existing buildings on the site will be removed to clear the way for the new economic opportunity the BEP brings to Prince George's County.
"Increasing the presence of the federal government's real estate assets (both owned and leased) and jobs in Prince George's County is a priority of the EDC's strategic plan to grow the local economy," said David K. Lewis, PGCEDC Director of Business Development, Government. "For example, relocating the Bureau of Engraving and Printing currency production facility from Washington, DC to Beltsville will bring 1,286 full-time jobs to the county, paying an average salary of $99,000. That is purchasing power for sales at restaurants, retail shops, housing, etc., to support the local economy.
"Also, for the three years it will take to construct the one-million square foot facility, many construction and trades jobs will be created where local businesses and their employees will have contracting and employment opportunities. And then there will be ongoing services contracted out for maintenance work such as grounds keeping services. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing will also spend millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center campus such as providing for road improvements."
Construction of the new facility – managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District – is anticipated to be completed by early 2027, per a Maryland Department of Commerce press release, with currency production starting mid-year.
"County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has been a consistent advocate for the BEP's move to Prince George's County," said David Iannucci, President and CEO of the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation. "We take pride in knowing that Prince George's County will be one of only two locations in the country where U.S. currency is printed.”
The BEP expects to house at least 850 on-site workers, with 600 additional employees working remotely. For more information about the Prince George's County Economic Development Corproation visit: https://www.pgcedc.com.
