Sean Dennis, CEO of the United States Bomb Technician Association, had plenty of reasons to smile on Thursday.

Maryland Housing & Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt, joined by Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz, announced a $250,000 grant to the Military Alliance Council that will go toward the renovation of USBTA’s planned Maryland Technology Center (MTC) at Indian Head to attract new businesses and more jobs.

The mission of the USBTA is to provide training opportunities with emerging technologies, and encourage the sharing of resources, ideas, and experiences between bomb disposal specialists, academics, innovators, and industry partners.

The USBTA facility is under construction at the site of a former shopping center outside the main gate of Naval Support Activity South Potomac in Indian Head and across the street from the College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center.

Also on Thursday, the USBTA and CSM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifying a partnership between the two organizations that will bolster economic growth in Southern Maryland.

Along with Dennis, Holt and Schulz, Thursday’s events featured CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy, as well as the Maryland Senator Arthur Ellis and Delegate Edith Patterson, Mayor Paulin of the town of Indian Head, Charles County Commissioner President Reuben Collins and Commissioner Tomasina Coates of this district, and NSWCIHD Technical Director Mr. Ashley Johnson.

The MTC, a first-of-its-kind facility, will unite leading academic, industry and government organizations to develop new technology to support the Naval Surface Warfare Center, FBI, DHS and more than 3,000 bomb techs and public safety personnel at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, CSM’s Velocity Center is designed to be a collaborative environment where students can interact with Navy scientists and industry leaders to conduct unclassified research and pursue innovative solutions as well as attend community workshops.

Both are expected to create high-paying, technology-focused jobs in Charles County as four additional technology businesses announced on Thursday their plans to sign on to have a presence at the MTC this fall.