Washington County manufacturer to rail out first railcars

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A major manufacturing venture is in its final phase just outside of Hagerstown with important implications for public transit in the Nation’s Capital and metro Baltimore.

Hitachi broke ground in March of 2022, but its first railcar is about to roll off the assembly line. The company has a $2.2 billion contract with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

The company has invested $70 million in its 300,000 square-foot Washington County, Md. facility.

Republican Delegate William Wivell serves in the Maryland General Assembly and is excited about “the 1,3000 jobs and investment in our community; it’s just an awesome project.”

In April, Governor Wes Moore met with Hitachi executives while on a Far East trade mission and believes Hitachi’s venture here may be just the start of even more investment in Maryland.

“We are really excited about the growth potential for Hitachi,” the governor told reporters at a State House press briefing upon his return from Japan.

At the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, president and CEO, Paul Frey, says Hitachi, “with their rail cars, it’s good not only for Washington County but all of Maryland, great for jobs and commerce.”

Hitachi projects a total investment in the Hagerstown operation to approach $100 million.