The Prince George’s County Council has unanimously voted to authorize $215 million in bond financing to support the proposed Sphere project, a 6,000-seat venue that will bring thousands of jobs to the growing National Harbor corridor, bringing the idea one step closer to fruition. A final vote is expected on Oct. 27.
The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce said it welcomes the project, the many jobs it will bring, and the estimated $63 million in annual tax revenue estimated by Braveboy.
“We thank County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) for her leadership and vision in pursuing this opportunity, and we thank the Prince George’s County Council for its engagement and for moving this important project forward,” said Alexander K. Austin, president and CEO of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce. “Throughout this process, the chamber has remained focused on ensuring that our local businesses and MBE community have a seat at the table and an opportunity to participate in the economic value this project can create.”
Braveboy has advocated for local hiring and the inclusion of local and minority businesses into the negotiations, while a project-labor agreement was not included despite a push from union leaders and multiple councilmembers.
“It was actually a major compromise, I feel, because it was so far from project labor agreement,” Councilmember Ed Burroughs said. “Essentially, we’re trying to split the baby — provide some guarantee for labor while not forcing the project labor agreement.”
The project would also reinvest 15% of the tax revenues into neighboring communities.
Jarryd Hawkins, a government affairs expert who previously served on the Bowie City Council, is excited to see the economic development that the Sphere project will bring to the region.
“Bringing the Sphere to Prince George’s County is an opportunity to create an enormous amount of revenue for the county, thousands of construction jobs, and 1200 permanent jobs,” he told The Washington Informer. “It cements Prince George’s County as a world class entertainment destination.
Hawkins has been a strong advocate for bringing aerospace industries to Maryland, and views tourism and hospitality as an additional part of Maryland’s economic future.
“The Sphere coupled with Prince George’s County making significant strides in leading the way on quantum computing development should yield positive results.”
Michelle Knox, a South County resident who has been active in politics for years, cautions that this project is not a guaranteed success.
“Prince George’s County residents deserve investment in schools, housing, and good jobs — not public financing for a private entertainment gamble,” she said. “The Las Vegas Sphere’s revenues do not guarantee success at National Harbor. Before committing public resources, the county executive and council owe residents an independent financial review, enforceable community benefits, and clear taxpayer protections. Our community should benefit from development — not bankroll its risks.”
T.E. Wills, a contractor who recently began his tenure on the Republican Central Committee, is intrigued by the decision to bring the Sphere instead of other potential projects to revitalize the County.
“The Glenn Dale water tower has only just been repainted after decades of abandonment; the hospital remains an abandoned eyesore,” he told The Informer. “There’s more housing and no improvements have been made otherwise in this area. We can use our surrounding land better!”
