Business

The U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday evening to assist low-income families through an expansion of the child tax credit, with all members of the Maryland delegation voting for the measure, except for Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st). The bill now awaits approval in the Senate. But some organizations are also highlighting a separate tax credit for child and dependent care, which they say is not providing adequate assistance to families and providers amid rising costs.

A low-cost, transatlantic airline carrier has launched a free stopover option in Iceland for passengers traveling out of BWI Airport who are en route to one of dozens of European destinations. The no-cost feature being offered by PLAY, an Iceland-based carrier, allows passengers to add up to 10 days in the Nordic country as part of their layover at Keflavík International Airport in Reykjavík. All of PLAY’s flights to and from North America already include a layover in Reykjavík, which can range in length from as little under two hours to about half a day.

The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), the state’s economic engine for technology companies, Thursday announced the newly appointed board of directors for the Cyber Maryland Program. The program was established by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session to develop and implement a strategy to address Cybersecurity related workforce vacancies in the state.

The owners of an upscale Howard County restaurant that’s long been a destination for business dining and special occasions will undergo a rebranding as part of a larger plan by its owners to expand beyond Maryland. Stanford Grill in Columbia and Rockville, along with Stanford Kitchen in Owings Mills, will soon be called Glenwood’s, its owner Blueridge Restaurant Group disclosed Wednesday. The name change comes as the restaurant group looks to expand its restaurants nationwide.=

First Watch, a breakfast and brunch chain, is expanding its presence in Maryland and plans to open four new locations throughout the state this year and one in 2025. The Florida-based chain has 500 locations nationwide and operates eight in Maryland. It opened its first Maryland location in 2006. The inaugural First Watch location was opened in 1983, according to its media fact sheet.

A local health care startup that aims to fill gaps in care for low-income patients has just hauled in $56 million in a Series A funding round. Bethesda’s Accompany Health Inc. said Tuesday it’s secured the funding from a handful of venture capital investors and will use the proceeds to broaden its reach in offering primary care, behavioral health and social services to underserved patients with complex conditions.