Choice Hotels moving to Rockville

State and Montgomery County leaders announced Monday that Choice Hotels International will move its headquarters from Silver Spring to Rockville in 2013.

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said the company, which employees about 400 people, has been looking for a new headquarters in the Washington region to accommodate its growth.

“We know that in today’s global economy, companies have many location choices and we are pleased that we can offer Choice Hotels the kind of highly skilled, highly educated workforce, strategic location and outstanding quality of life that will enable the company to continue to grow here for years to come,” O’Malley said in a statement.

Choice Hotels’ new 130,000-square-foot headquarters will be located in Rockville Town Center.

To help retain the company, the state, county and Rockville are providing $4.3 million in conditional loans and grants that are contingent upon job creation at the new headquarters, officials said. The company plans to add 75 new jobs at the Rockville location.

-- Ovetta Wiggins