Google reports $2.52 billion economic impact in Maryland

When looking to show its economic impact in Maryland, Google chose crab cakes.
The internet giant released its annual economic impact report on Wednesday. Overall, Google says its search and advertising helped provide $222 billion in economic activity across the country.
It has numbers on all 50 states. Here’s how Maryland stacked up:

• $2.52 billion in total economic impact.
• 23,000 businesses used Google advertising tools.
• $12.8 million in free advertising provided to nonprofits through Google’s AdGrants program.

But it all makes more sense when viewed through the lens of crab cakes. The Maryland report spotlights Owings Mills-based Chesapeake Fine Food Group. The company sells gourmet foods online, and the report talks about how they use Google AdWords and analytics.
“We differentiate ourselves from other food retailers by marketing our products to folks who are specifically looking for prepared entrées that arrive ready to go,” Vice President Katie Glenn says in the report.
PointClickSwitch, a Baltimore startup that helps energy customers choose alternative suppliers, is also featured.
“Eighty-five percent of customers we come across do not understand their utility bill. We’re changing that,” CEO Phil Croskey says in the report.