A study requested by the Maryland Technology Development Corp. found that stem cell research in the state supports 514 local jobs with an average salary of $64,000. The economic impact study by Sage Policy Group Inc., released Monday, also said that Maryland's Stem Cell Research Fund helps generate $71.3 million in business sales in the state. The corporation administers the research fund. The analysis also found that Maryland's stem cell industry was able to return nearly $3 million to state and local government through support of income generation, retail activity and property tax payments. Gov. Martin O'Malley, a stem cell research supporter, said in a statement Monday that the findings validate the belief that investing in stem cell research is key to moving the state's economy forward.

-Lorraine Mirabella