Economic study: Sphere National Harbor could bring $1.5B to Maryland, $1.3B to county

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (7News) — Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Wednesday released a new economic analysis that claims that the planned Sphere National Harbor venue would generate billions in economic activity for the county and the state.

The 6,000-seat venue — the second Sphere in the United States — is projected to create $1.3 billion in economic impact for Prince George’s County once operational, according to the analysis by EY. Another $200 million in economic activity is expected elsewhere in Maryland, bringing the statewide total to $1.5 billion.

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Construction alone is expected to generate $1.6 billion in economic benefits for the county and an additional $250 million statewide, the report found.

To secure the project, state and county leaders have pledged $200 million in incentives, including $13.5 million in direct public expenditures, a package officials said was necessary to land the venue and keep it from going to another state.

“We knew immediately Sphere National Harbor was going to be transformational,” Braveboy said. “This new economic data has reconfirmed how amazing a win this is for the people of Prince George’s County and Maryland.”

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Moore called the project one of the largest economic investments in county history, saying it would create jobs, spur growth, and “showcase the very best of Maryland to the world.”

Sphere Entertainment Co. executives said they expect the venue to become a regional landmark. The project is being developed in partnership with Peterson Companies, the master developer of National Harbor.

The updated analysis shows higher job creation than initially projected. Construction is expected to support 3,350 jobs, including full and parttime positions tied to suppliers and consumer spending. Once open, the venue is projected to support 7,100 jobs in Prince George’s County — including 1,250 Sphere employees — and another 880 jobs elsewhere in Maryland, for a total of nearly 8,000 positions.

Officials said the project will strengthen National Harbor’s position as a major entertainment destination and deliver longterm economic benefits for the region.