BALTIMORE, MD (September 2, 2014) – Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Secretary Dominick Murray announced today that Pete Pappas & Sons, a family-owned produce company dating back to the early 1900s, is moving its headquarters and operations to Howard County. After outgrowing its location in Washington D.C., the company worked with DBED officials and found a building to fit its needs in Jessup. With the relocation, the company brings 70 new jobs to the county. To support the company’s move to Maryland, the State approved a $15,000 grant through the Partnership for Workforce Quality Program (PWQ), which will be used to train employees in food safety and equipment handling.
“We are pleased to welcome Pete Pappas & Sons to Maryland and assist with a workforce training grant to upgrade the skills of their employees,” said Secretary Murray. “We are continuing to see companies relocate to Maryland to take advantage of our talented workforce, our strategic location along the East Coast, and our excellent transportation infrastructure.”
“We’re delighted by the announcement that Pete Pappas & Sons is coming to Howard County. Along with several dozen jobs, this move provides a fantastic opportunity for local farms to develop new partnerships and for existing businesses in the Food Center to have a new company to work with,” said Lawrence F. Twele, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. “It’s also a great example of the role DBED can play in attracting new businesses to Maryland.”
“With DBED’s help, we have made a seamless transition from Washington D.C. to Jessup,” said Gus Pappas, President of Pete Pappas & Sons. “Howard County will be a great location for our business – most of our customers are in the area and this will save time and gas on deliveries. The county has been a huge help to those of us new to the area.”
In 1901, Pete Pappas emigrated from Greece to Washington, D.C. and began selling produce from a push cart. Through the 1920s and 1930s, Mr. Pappas operated a retail stand in D.C. at Center Market and later Union Market, known today as the Florida Avenue Market. When Mr. Pappas’ sons began working full-time at the market in the 1940’s, the company became known as Pete Pappas & Sons. Around the same time, the company was asked to handle a load of tomatoes damaged in transit, and its expertise was discovered. Ever since, the company has specialized in repackaging tomatoes into sellable containers for chain stores and the food service industry. Today, the 4th generation of the Pappas family successfully runs the company and has expanded its products by adding onions and berries to its repackaging facility.
About DBED:
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit
www.choosemaryland.org.
