Germans and Frenchies Move their Headquarters to DC Area

by Elias Shams
Indeed President Obama’s passion for the green environment has generated a lot of buzz and excitement internationally. Montgomery County of Maryland just scored two energy company headquarters.

Smart Fuel Cell, based in Germany, moved its North American headquarters to Rockville, MD, and Paris-based power company EDF will move its U.S. headquarters to Chevy Chase, MD in the fall.

Lured by the proximity to federal government clients, which make up 90 percent of its U.S. business, as well as the German School in Potomac that President Christian Boehm’s children will attend, Smart Fuel Cell signed a lease for 4,000 square feet. The energy company, which established its U.S. presence in 2008, has just four employees, but plans to expand its local presence to as much as 25 jobs in the next three years.