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Senator Cardin visits small business in Annapolis Junction

'Steer' employs more that one million workers
Posted at 8:21 PM, Mar 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-05 07:40:14-05

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Senator Ben Cardin visited a small business in Annapolis Junction as the ranking Democrat on the small business committee in Washington.

Senator Cardin visited Steer, a company that is developing automated car technology. The small business is one of thousands in Maryland that employ more than one million workers.

"There’s more jobs created by small businesses than large businesses. That's the growth engine of our workforce," said Senator Cardin.

Senator Cardin wants small businesses to thrive in Maryland.

"This is technology that is here today and we have a Maryland company, Steer, who is developing it for not only here locally but nationally," Senator Cardin said.

Steer technology was born in Maryland and they have manufactured futuristic cars that are so advanced, it will park itself.

With a touch of a button the car will drive through the parking lot, locate a space and park itself. What happens if someone walks in front of the driverless car? It stops itself.

"We have a wait list of over 600 people," said Dr. Anuja Sonalker.

Dr. Sonalker is the founder and CEO of Steer. She could have taken her business to Silicon Valley or anywhere but she wanted to keep it right here in Maryland.

"Because we have such a talented workforce here that’s available, very very sharp people, very highly educated. We have three universities right here," said Dr. Sonalker.

"There’s more innovation in small companies then in large companies, they figure out a way to do things better," said Senator Cardin.