Government Pays $1 Million to Keep Health Biz in Silver Spring

A public health research business will receive $1 million in loan and grant funds to keep its headquarters in Silver Spring, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development announced Wednesday. 

Social & Scientific Systems, Inc., a 34-year-old public health research company, will have to maintain its Silver Spring location and retain at least 300 full-time employees through 2023 to receive a $650,000 conditional loan from the state. Montgomery County kicked in an additional $350,000 grant with the same terms, according to a release from the department.

“Retaining an industry-leading company like Social and Scientific Systems in Montgomery County, MD, is a vital component to ensuring the continued growth and success of our local business community,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett.  

“By working closely with the state to provide strategic financial incentives to ensure this major employer remains in the county for another decade and more demonstrates Maryland’s and Montgomery County’s proactive, business-friendly climate.”  

The company moved to Silver Spring 11 years ago and employs more than 500 people who work in offices in Silver Spring, Rockville, Durham, NC, Jakarta, Indonesia, Kigali, Rwanda and Kampala, Uganda. Social & Scientific System’s work centers on improving public health and mitigating the effects of diseases, including HIV and AIDS, according to the release.

“Our most important priority continues to be creating and retaining the kinds of innovative jobs that will help sustain Maryland’s economy for today and for decades to come,” said Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson. 

“By working with the leadership of Social & Scientific Systems and Montgomery County to retain the company’s operations here, we are preserving 300 highly skilled jobs and ensuring that this cutting-edge company continues to call Maryland home.”

The Silver Spring office is located at 8757 Georgia Ave. The Rockville office is at 6101 Executive Blvd.