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Maryland Organizations Invest in Growth, Education, and Community

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The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

BALTIMORE, May 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

“With the state’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and leading industries, Maryland has so much to offer businesses and individuals alike.” – Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson

“With the state’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and leading industries, Maryland has so much to offer businesses and individuals alike,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Our Partnership organizations are proof of this and we encourage businesses of all sizes to explore the many advantages of locating in Maryland.”

BGE, based in Baltimore and Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility, is upgrading 260,000 streetlights with smart technology to improve public safety and outage response. Over 45,000 smart lighting controls (also known as smart nodes) have been installed on BGE-maintained street and private area lights to date. Deployment areas for 2024-2025 include northern Baltimore City and Baltimore, Carroll and Harford Counties. “BGE is currently recognized as an industry pioneer for smart lighting,” says Eric Barger, manager of new business overseeing this program. “In addition to the deployment of intelligent field technology, we remain innovative in the ways we capture, manage, and monitor data using our smart lighting operations software, all of which provides a better lighting solution and experience for our customers.”

Peterson Companies, a longtime Maryland business, announced Rio, Gaithersburg’s most celebrated shopping and dining destination, is now home to IKEA. The second location in the Peterson Companies portfolio opened in March and is among a handful of their new “Plan & Order Point with Pick-up” concepts open nationwide. Additionally, Locally Crafted, once a temporary storefront at Rio, has reopened in a new long-term space. The local women-owned business offers an impressive collection of artisan and hand-crafted goods created by local makers from in and around Maryland.

St. John Properties, Inc., based in Baltimore and one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms, received the prestigious 2024 NAIOP Maryland Awards of Excellence for two projects. St. John Properties celebrated a renewal with Precision for Medicine to expand at Riverside Tech Park, occupying over 116,000 square feet of the Frederick, MD facilities. Additionally, they welcome Chipotle Mexican Grill, Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings, Hibachi Express and TropQ Pizzato restaurants to Cromwell Business Park, a 165-acre mixed-use business community.

SECU, Maryland’s largest state-chartered credit union, recognized the barrier high four-year university tuition creates for community college students wanting to earn their bachelor’s degree. SECU MD Foundation is awarding $10,000 scholarships to 12 students enrolled at any Maryland community college who are transferring to a University System of Maryland university for the 2024-2025 academic year. Students currently enrolled at a University System of Maryland school who recently transferred within the last 18 months are also eligible to apply. Apply for a $10,000 SECU MD Foundation Scholarship by May 31.

Bozzuto, based in Greenbelt, ranked 11th in the 2024 The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) 50 largest apartment managers list. This acknowledgment came after the successful expansion of more than 100,000 apartment homes. Additionally, Bozzuto acquired Gables 12 Twenty-One in Rosslyn, its first acquisition in 15 years through the Strategic Multifamily Fund. Renamed The Alcott, the 132-unit boutique community acquisition supports Bozzuto’s larger effort to acquire more high-quality, stabilized assets across the East Coast.

United Therapeutics Corporation (UT) announced another first-ever success with the transplant of a UThymoKidneyTM, produced by UT, into a living person on April 12, 2024. Performed by surgeons at NYU Langone Health, this is the third xenotransplant using UT’s xeno organs, following two successful UHeartTM transplants at the University of Maryland Medicine in 2022 and 2023. It marks another positive step forward in the company’s aim to help address the shortage of tolerable, transplantable organs for all who need them.

Cloudforce, based in National Harbor, completed its 15,000-square-foot office expansion. It also continues to impact higher education, empowering educators nationwide to harness AI in the cloud effortlessly. Teaming up with Microsoft, Cloudforce sponsored hackathons. Cloudforce held a free 5-day Bootcamp on AI to prepare local jobseekers for success; and presented at the Maryland Education Enterprise Consortium (MEEC), Blacks at Microsoft Minority Day, and the 2024 Microsoft MWBE Innovation Forum. Founder Husein Sharaf was keynote speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Careers Symposia (MA3CS) hosted by Prince George’s Community College. Celebrations included its third Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work award, and FSC’s First 2024 Small Business of the Year Award.

TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the appointment of the Equitech Growth Commission, federal earmarked funding for the Federal Lab Leveraging Innovation to Products (FLLIP) Pilot Program, and a successful exit of portfolio company Allovue, Inc. The organization continues to invest in Maryland-based startup companies through its Social Impact Funds, evergreen Venture Funds, and Seed Funds. These Funds have most recently invested in companies like Keep Company, Astek Diagnostics, Aquatic Circle, Aloe Therapeutics, IPGen, LASARRUS, Innate Technologies, Sonogen Medical, Dockshare, and Minnowtech. Additionally, they released new episodes of TEDCO Talks featuring Secretary of Commerce, Kevin Anderson, and BDC CEO, Colin Tarbert.

Route One Apparel, based in Towson, continues to expand its offerings – especially for local sports fans – through new collaborations and wholesale partnerships. Last month, the online retailer launched the “Brightside x Route One Home Run Collection” with Brightside Boutique, which is selling out quickly, and is now preparing to unveil its new “Boh-timore Baseball” line featuring National Bohemian. In addition to online at RouteOneApparel.com, shoppers can find large displays of Route One Apparel’s sports gear at local retailers EC Pops, King of Bling and Poor Boys. Route One Apparel’s University of Maryland collection, along with other Maryland-pride products, can also now be found at Shop Made in MD in College Park.

Warehouse Cinemas, based in Frederick and developed by HighRock, recently hosted its annual Trailer Fest at all three of its Maryland locations. The event series sold out and brought over 700 participants together to celebrate upcoming releases through exclusive trailer screenings, special guest appearances, and interactive activities.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership
The Maryland Marketing Partnership, founded in statute as the Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation, develops branding strategy for the state, markets the state’s assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

Media Contact

Ellina Buettner, Abel Communications for Maryland Marketing Partnership, 4104195945, ellina@abelcommunications.com, https://marylandmarketingpartnership.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/maryland-organizations-invest-in-growth-education-and-community-302154718.html

SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership

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KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME 1st Anniversary in Full Swing!

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Suited joins with the power of Kaiju A! “Narumi’s Week at Work” Premiere Login Bonus now live!

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME, co-produced by Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and Production I.G, today continues its 1st Anniversary celebration with the release of a new playable character and original short anime tie-in campaign. Starting today, the new ★5 character [Unorthodox Pursuit] Suited enters the fray, utilizing power derived from Dimensional Identified Kaiju A. Additionally, to commemorate the release of the second episode of Narumi’s Week at Work, a special login bonus campaign is currently underway in-game through September 26 JST (UTC+9).

◆ New ★5 Character [Unorthodox Pursuit] Suited

With the power of Dimensional Identified Kaiju A, Suited joins the game as a playable character on September 14!

Suited wears a prosthetic eye crafted from Kaiju A’s uniorgan. The resulting Kaiju A cell corruption has even altered her hair color. While this places immense physical strain on her body and is by no means a recommended practice, she herself is quite fond of this state and seemingly has no intention of giving it up, no matter what anyone says.

■ New ★5 Character
[Unorthodox Pursuit] Suited (Optimal weapon type: Hammer)

■ New ★5 Weapon
HM-Spolcyc (Hammer)

■ Pickup Character Trailer: [Unorthodox Pursuit] Suited

https://youtu.be/SagK6RHmNxM

◆ “Narumi’s Week at Work” Premiere Login Bonus

To celebrate the release of “Narumi’s Week at Work” Day 2 “The Vice-Captain’s Troubles” episode, a special login bonus is now underway!

*Event Period: Now through September 26, 2026 at 3:59 AM JST (UTC+9)
*For more details, please refer to the in-game announcement.

▼Stream “Narumi’s Week at Work” on the TOHO animation Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TOHOanimation

■ About KAIJU NO. 8 THE GAME

Title: Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME

Planning & Production: Akatsuki Games Inc., TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G, Inc.

Development & Operation: Akatsuki Games Inc.

Publicity Cooperation: TOHO CO., LTD., Production I.G, Inc.

Distribution: Akatsuki Games Inc.

Available Platforms: App Store, Google Play Store, Steam®

Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, French

Price: Free-to-play (with in-app purchases)

Copyright Notice:

© JAKDF 3rd Division © Naoya Matsumoto/SHUEISHA

© Akatsuki Games Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./Production I.G

Official Game Website: https://kj8-thegame.com/en/

Official Game X: https://x.com/kj8_TheGame_EN

Official Game YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kj8-TheGame-EN

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kaiju-no-8-the-game/id6742088839

Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.aktsk.games.kaiju_no8_the_game

Steam®: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3393070 

■ About Anime Kaiju No. 8
Based on the popular manga series by Naoya Matsumoto, serialized on Shonen Jump+ (Shueisha) since 2020, the anime Kaiju No. 8 portrays intense battles between the Japan Defense Force, tasked with eliminating Kaiju, and the monstrous creatures that routinely threaten human lives. In Japan, the original manga has surpassed 19 million copies in circulation (including digital editions), with 16 volumes published to date (as of September 4, 2025).

The Anime Season 1, which aired from April to June 2024, quickly gained massive popularity, ranking No. 1 on domestic daily rankings across major streaming platforms in Japan. Building on that momentum, a theatrical compilation of Season 1, including the side story Hoshina’s Day Off, premiered in Japan on March 28, 2025. Subsequently, the Anime Season 2 aired from July to September 2025. While anticipation continues to build following the announcement of the Final Chapter’s production, the four-episode original short anime Narumi’s Week at Work is now streaming, with new episodes releasing every Saturday at 8:00 PM JST since September 5, 2026, continuing to draw a huge global response.

Official Website: https://kaiju-no8.net/

Official X: https://x.com/KaijuNo8_O

■ Company Overview: Akatsuki Games Inc.
It is our mission to connect the emotions of people around the world by putting our beliefs and “why” into games. We challenge ourselves to create global hits as a world-class game company with the highest standards of development and operation in Japan.

In addition to the experience of operating games such as Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle (published by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.) and Romancing SaGa Re; Universe (published by SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.), we are taking on the challenges of using high-end 3D graphics display and development on multiple devices. We will deliver the highest quality games for everyone around the world to enjoy.

Official Website: https://games.aktsk.jp/en/

Founded: December 2021

Representative: CEO Yuki Totsuka

Headquarters: 8F oak meguro, 2-13-30 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Business Activities: Game Development & Operations

Please be sure to include the following copyright notice when publishing articles or images related to this release:

© JAKDF 3rd Division © Naoya Matsumoto/SHUEISHA
© Akatsuki Games Inc./TOHO CO., LTD./Production I.G

Additional Assets: HERE

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaiju-no-8-the-game-1st-anniversary-in-full-swing-302877982.html

SOURCE Akatsuki Games Inc.

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CEO Coaching International Celebrates 22 Clients and Partners for Ranking on the Prestigious 2026 Inc. 5000 List

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MIAMI, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CEO Coaching International, the leading CEO coaching firm for growth-focused CEOs and entrepreneurs globally, is proud to congratulate 19 of its clients and 3 of its Strategic Partners for earning a coveted spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s most successful independent and entrepreneurial businesses. The list recognizes companies that have achieved remarkable growth while driving innovation, creating jobs, and shaping the future of the economy.

This year’s Inc. 5000 recognizes a new class of companies redefining what growth looks like. From AI and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, consumer products, and professional services, these businesses are expanding their impact, creating jobs, and proving that entrepreneurial ambition continues to fuel the U.S. economy. Among the 5,000 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate was 130%, and those companies have collectively added more than 627,208 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years.

“Making the Inc. 5000 is hard. Building a company that can sustain this level of growth takes an exceptional CEO, a strong leadership team, and the ability to execute relentlessly as the business gets bigger and more complex,” said Randy Dewey, CEO of CEO Coaching International. “That’s why I’m so proud to see 19 of our clients and three of our Strategic Partners recognized this year. And Paek Management Group’s No. 12 ranking, with 12,520% three-year growth, is simply extraordinary. These are ambitious leaders building exceptional companies, creating real economic impact, and showing what it means to Make BIG Happen.”

Clients and Strategic Partners Recognized on the 2026 Inc. 5000

The following CEO Coaching International clients and Strategic Partners are included on the 2026 Inc. 5000, alongside their rank, industry, growth rate, and years recognized on the list:

Rank

Company

Industry

3-Yr. Growth

Yrs. on List

12

Paek Management Group

Automotive

12520 %

1

178

Dhanani Private Equity Group

Real Estate

1904 %

7

1,136

Techjays

Artificial
Intelligence &
Data

308 %

1

1,603

Premier Metal Roof Mfg.

Manufacturing

218 %

3

1,888

Pioneer Aero Supply

Logistics &
Transportation

183 %

5

1,913

512Financial

Financial Services

179 %

1

2,137

DojoNetworks

 IT Services

158 %

2

2,322

AffordaCare Insurance

Insurance

145 %

1

2,371

Carson Group

Financial Services

141 %

8

2,910

Spohn Ranch, Inc.

Construction

107 %

9

3,289

Michaels Energy

Energy

89 %

4

3,470

Get Staffed Up

Human
Resources

82 %

5

3,476

Abstrax Tech

Manufacturing

82 %

3

3,767

Threat Tec

Government
Services

70 %

6

4,212

Rapido Solutions Group

Human
Resources

52 %

2

4,222

RBW Logistics

Logistics &
Transportation

52 %

1

4,282

Fire-Dex

Manufacturing

49 %

6

4,538

iSupport Worldwide

Business &
Corporate
Services

39 %

4

4,615

Victory Transportation

Logistics &
Transportation

34 %

1

4,644

Gorilla Commerce

Consumer Products

34 %

1

4,951

Serve You Rx

Healthcare &
Medical

15 %

1

4,995

Victra Wireless

Consumer
Products

12 %

13

“Every company on the Inc. 5000 has a story of perseverance, smart decision making, and a refusal to sit still,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Their growth reflects more than strong financial performance — it reflects creativity, resilience, and the customer focus required to build companies that make a lasting impact. We congratulate all honorees on this significant achievement.”

Inc. will celebrate the honorees at the 2026 Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala, taking place October 14–16 in Dallas, Texas, and the top 500 will be listed in the Fall issue of Inc. Magazine.

For the full Inc. 5000 list, honoree company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, please visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.

For more information about CEO Coaching International and to schedule a complimentary coaching call, please visit: https://ceocoachinginternational.com/contact/

Inc. 5000 List Methodology 

Companies on the 2026 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2022 to 2025. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2022. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2025. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2022 is $100,000; the minimum for 2025 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.

About Inc. 

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

About CEO Coaching International

CEO Coaching International works with CEOs and their leadership teams to achieve extraordinary results quarter after quarter, year after year. Known globally for its success in coaching growth-focused entrepreneurs to meaningful exits, the firm has coached more than 3,500 CEOs and entrepreneurs across 160+ industries and 94 countries. Its coaches—former CEOs, presidents, and executives—have led businesses ranging from startups to over $10 billion, driving double-digit sales and profit growth, many culminating in eight, nine, or ten-figure exits.

Companies that have worked with CEO Coaching International for two years or more have achieved an average revenue CAGR of 22.8%, nearly 2X the U.S. average, and an average EBITDA CAGR of 37.5%, nearly 3X the national benchmark.

Discover how coaching can transform your leadership journey at ceocoachinginternational.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ceo-coaching-international-celebrates-22-clients-and-partners-for-ranking-on-the-prestigious-2026-inc-5000-list-302877998.html

SOURCE CEO Coaching International

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PrideStaff Financial Celebrates Accounting and Finance Professionals During National Staffing Employee Week

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FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PrideStaff Financial, a division of PrideStaff specializing in accounting and finance staffing, is celebrating National Staffing Employee Week, Sept. 14-20, by recognizing the contract professionals who help businesses keep essential financial functions running smoothly.

National Staffing Employee Week, an annual initiative of the American Staffing Association (ASA), shines a spotlight on the millions of temporary and contract professionals who contribute their skills to U.S. businesses while building experience and advancing their careers through staffing.

From financial reporting and budgeting to payroll, audits, and compliance, accounting and finance professionals perform work that is fundamental to business operations. PrideStaff Financial places professionals in these critical roles, helping employers maintain continuity, meet important deadlines, and access the skills they need during periods of increased demand, transition, or growth.

“Behind every deadline met, report completed, and financial decision made are talented professionals who understand how much their work matters,” said Tammi Heaton, Co-CEO of PrideStaff. “We see firsthand the knowledge and commitment our associates bring to their roles, often joining teams at pivotal moments and quickly becoming trusted contributors. This week is about celebrating them and the difference they make for our clients every day,” added PrideStaff Co-CEO Mike Aprile.

Contract work also gives accounting and finance professionals the opportunity to apply their expertise in different business environments, broaden their experience, and pursue assignments that fit their career goals. At the same time, employers gain access to skilled professionals who can help keep financial priorities on track when workloads or staffing needs shift.

About PrideStaff Financial
A division of PrideStaff, PrideStaff Financial specializes in accounting and financial staffing. The parent company was founded in the 1970s as 100% company-owned units and began franchising in 1995. They operate offices in North America to serve thousands of clients. With 45-plus years in the staffing business, headquartered in Central California, all PrideStaff brands offer the resources and expertise of a national firm with the spirit, dedication, and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. For more information on PrideStaff Financial services, visit our website.

PrideStaff and PrideStaff Financial’s shared mission: Consistently provide client experiences focused on what they value most.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pridestaff-financial-celebrates-accounting-and-finance-professionals-during-national-staffing-employee-week-302877993.html

SOURCE PrideStaff

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