The St. Mary’s County Technology Handbook is now available at various locations throughout the county and on-line. The popular annual handbook lists the 213 defense-related contracting businesses in the county. The number is down a few from last year, mostly because of mergers and economy casualties. The employers listed have 400 more employees than the previous year, for a total of more than 19,000 local workers.

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Todd Morgan. who works for defense contractor SAIC, said to the Department of Economic and Community Development and Patuxent Partnership representatives in attendance at the unveiling on Tuesday: “It’s the bible for every DoD contractor. Your funding has produced one of the most useful pieces of information to come from county government.”
The handbook cover was designed by Kebby Soleo, who works for defense contractor Amelex. She told the commissioners she wanted to portray the 100 years of Naval Aviation which will be celebrated this year. Members of the Patuxent Partnership Board of Directors selected the winning entry. Soleo received $500 for being selected.
 Copies are available at multiple locations, including the Frank Knox Training Center, Fleet and Family Services on base, at the various contractors and at the libraries. Eight-thousand copies were printed this year, down from 10,000 last year to save money, according to EDC Director Dr. Robert Schaller. Design was done in house by his department.
Copies are also downloadable on line on the department’s website.