Prince George’s County Delays $130 Million Financing Vote for National Harbor Sphere
September 26, 2026 | Prince George’s County Business News
A major entertainment project planned for National Harbor is facing another step in the financing process as Prince George’s County officials take more time to consider the project's labor requirements.
The Prince George’s County Council has delayed a vote involving approximately $130 million in tax increment financing bonds connected to the proposed Sphere entertainment venue at National Harbor, according to the Washington Business Journal.
The proposed Sphere would be a large entertainment venue planned near MGM National Harbor. The project is being developed by Sphere Entertainment and is expected to bring a new type of large scale entertainment attraction to the county.
The financing discussion is important because tax increment financing can help support major development projects by using future increases in property tax revenue associated with an area. Instead of relying only on traditional financing, the structure can help fund infrastructure and development tied to expected future growth.
The current debate is focused partly on labor requirements.
According to the Washington Business Journal, Sphere Entertainment has said it would not require subcontractors to follow union terms. County officials are considering how those labor questions could affect the project and the public financing being considered.
The delay does not mean the project has been canceled. Instead, county officials are continuing to examine the financing arrangement before moving forward.
National Harbor is already one of Prince George’s County's largest business and tourism destinations. The waterfront development includes hotels, restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues and residential properties. The area attracts visitors from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and beyond.
A new Sphere could add another major reason for visitors to come to the county.
For local businesses, the potential impact could extend beyond the venue itself. Large entertainment projects can create demand for restaurants, hotels, transportation companies, security services, event vendors, contractors and other businesses.
Small businesses could also benefit from increased visitor traffic if customers spend money before or after events at nearby businesses.
At the same time, the project involves public financing, which makes the county's review process an important part of the discussion. The labor requirements and financial structure will continue to be examined before officials make a final decision on the financing.
For Prince George’s County businesses, the Sphere project is another example of how major development decisions can affect the local economy far beyond the property where construction takes place.
Source: Washington Business Journal
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