East Columbia Business District, Columbia, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids East Columbia Columbia Crossing
Business District
The Howard County Government Campus in East Columbia
Nickname(s):  "Dobbin", "Snowden"
Country	United States
State	Maryland
City	Columbia
Named for	Location east of the Town Center

The East Columbia Business District is a busy part of Columbia, Maryland. It's like a big hub for shopping and offices. You'll find many large stores and office buildings here. This area also has the Columbia Gateway Business Park. More than 50 companies are located there, employing over 17,000 people. Many people in Howard County come here to shop. Locals sometimes call this area "Dobbin" or "Snowden." These names come from the main roads that go through the district.

History of East Columbia

In the early 1980s, a major road called Maryland Route 175 was made bigger. It was extended from the Columbia Town Center. This road became a four-lane highway.

Developing the Business Park

Starting in the 1970s, Columbia's first big business park was built. It was named the Columbia Gateway Business Park. This park grew to be very large, covering 630 acres.

New Shopping Centers Open

Many new shopping areas also opened in East Columbia. Dobbin Center opened in 1983. Snowden Square Shopping Center followed in the early 1990s. In 1997, one of the biggest shopping centers, Columbia Crossing, opened. It is located near Route 175 and Dobbin Road. Another large shopping center, Gateway Overlook, opened in 2007. It is at the crossing of Routes 175 and 108. A popular Wegmans supermarket also opened on McGaw Road in 2012.

Colleges and Learning Centers

Many colleges and universities have smaller campuses here. These are located in the Columbia Gateway Business Park. They offer classes and training programs.

Shopping Centers in East Columbia

East Columbia is home to many places where you can shop. These centers offer a wide variety of stores and services.

Major Companies Located Here

The Columbia Gateway Business Park is a hub for many important companies. These businesses provide many jobs in the area.