Friday Five
May 15, 2026 | This week's latest on Maryland business and government
1 — Baltimore’s rail network clears another hurdle
Baltimore reached a major milestone in its freight and logistics expansion as CSX has begun running double-stacked container trains through the newly upgraded Howard Street Tunnel, eliminating a long-standing rail bottleneck and improving connections between the Port of Baltimore and major inland markets. The infrastructure improvements support the continued growth of Tradepoint Atlantic, where a new container terminal and expanding warehouse and manufacturing operations are helping transform the former steel mill site into a major multimodal logistics and economic hub for the region.
Bravo Baltimore: The Maryland Chamber commends the work CSX, Tradepoint Atlantic and regional leaders are doing to increase the growth of the Port of Baltimore and further its accessibility to inland markets.
2 — Moore touts new businesses, but data shows mixed picture
Governor Moore has promoted Maryland’s growth in new business formations and foreign company recruitment, but federal labor data shows that business closures and job losses have nearly offset those gains over the same period. Economists said the administration’s figures reflect legitimate measures of business “births,” yet warned that long-term economic health is better evaluated through broader indicators such as business survival rates, sustained job creation and overall economic growth.
Data point: Closures have outpaced openings — undercutting the broader growth narrative. In Q1 of 2025, Maryland recorded nearly 11,400 closures compared with more than 7,800 openings. In the Q2 of 2025, there were about 7,800 openings and more than 9,100 closures.
3 — Maryland Comptroller’s Office warns of tax processing delays
The Maryland Comptroller’s Office is warning taxpayers that some paper tax returns could take up to 30 days to process due to staffing shortages and budget constraints, though officials say most electronic and paper returns are still being handled within days. Economists cautioned that refund delays can create cash flow challenges for small businesses already facing rising operating costs, while a recent taxpayer advocate report identified refund processing inefficiencies and recommended increased automation and operational improvements.
Per the Comptroller's Office: 10 percent of returns are being processed in about 6.5 business days for electronic and about 11 business days for paper. And most (90 percent) are being processed on average in just over two days or less.
4 — Federal prosecutors charge ship operator, employee in Key Bridge collapse
Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against Synergy Marine Group and one of its employees in connection with the 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, alleging the company knowingly used unsafe generator practices aboard the Dali cargo ship and later obstructed investigators. Maryland officials also announced a $2.25 billion settlement with the Dali’s owner and operator, while legal disputes continue over liability, bridge reconstruction costs and the timeline for replacing the bridge, which is currently projected to reopen by late 2030.
Billions in claims: The Maryland state treasurer has received over 100 pages of claims notices, totaling more than $2 billion in sought damages. The families of the six workers who died seek $200 million each, in addition to class-action claims totaling $500 million for longshoremen losses.
5 — Moore signs Maryland energy bill aimed at cutting power costs
Governor Moore signed Maryland’s Utility RELIEF Act into law Tuesday, advancing a wide-ranging energy package aimed at lowering electricity costs through utility rate reforms, investments in local energy generation and new requirements for data centers to cover more of the grid costs they create. Lawmakers estimate the measure will deliver at least $150 in annual savings for many households, though some consumer and environmental advocates remain divided over whether the long-term changes will fully address rising energy demand and affordability issues.
Economic benefits: Data center development presents a significant opportunity to expand Maryland’s commercial tax base, support substantial construction activity and strengthen the state’s digital infrastructure and long-term competitiveness. As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, Maryland has an opportunity to attract investment and innovation while working to ensure the necessary energy and infrastructure resources are in place to support that growth responsibly.
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The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocacy organization — committed to working with our alliance of partners on critical public policy issues. With a focus on economic development and grassroots advocacy, we impact policies that directly affect Maryland business.
