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BERLIN – The Maryland State Police (MSP) has entered into a pilot program with Hardwire LLC to use the company’s Police Vehicle B-Kit door armor on a select number of police vehicles.

On Monday, Gov. Larry Hogan, MSP Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi and Hardwire announced that some state police vehicles will be outfitted with bulletproof panels made in Pocomoke.

This will be the latest venture for the Pocomoke-based company, which manufactures protective gear for various agencies around the country.

Emily Tunis, president of Hardwire, said the door armor provides discrete exterior protection for state troopers.

A pilot program between the Maryland State Police and a Pocomoke City armor manufacturer is aiming to provide another layer of protection for state troopers.

Hardwire LLC, in conjunction with Gov. Larry Hogan and the state police, announced Monday, June 5 a pilot initiative to test its “Police Vehicle ‘B-Kit’ Door Armor,” on state law enforcement vehicles.

POCOMOKE — When Hardwire LLC founder George Tunis watches tragic events on the evening news, his hearts sinks like everyone else’s, but his mind goes right to work. Horrific events in our often violent world have inspired Tunis to develop products that have saved countless lives and may end up saving countless more. Hardwire’s massive manufacturing facility sits on the banks of the Pocomoke River in southern Worcester County and is the home base for the growing defense company that creates armor for everything from the military Hum-V’s on the front lines of war in the Middle East to the bulletproof whiteboards found in classrooms all over the globe.

Yet, for a guy who spends a lot of time dealing with classified information and projects, Tunis opened up to The Dispatch in a rare sit down about how homegrown innovation could help put a stop to some of the senseless violence we see in our world.

In an effort to put a spotlight on a few of Maryland's local businesses, Gov. Larry Hogan, as well as Sen. Jim Mathias, visited Pocomoke City's Hardwire Armor Systems on Tuesday, June 21.

Founded in 2000 by George Tunis, Hardwire produces armor technology for application anywhere from the classroom to military environments. Beginning as a company specifically focused on building and bridge protection, Hardwire expanded to military and private armor following the events of 9/11.

Tunis talked about the roots of Hardwire to Hogan, while displaying photos of the decrepit building that once stood at Hardwire's site.

"The building was disgusting," Tunis said. "At the time, that was me alone. My mom cried when she saw the building."

SNOW HILL – Worcester County officials agreed to provide a $10,000 grant to the armor manufacturing company Hardwire to aid in its latest expansion.

Based on a recommendation from Merry Mears, the county’s economic development director, the Worcester County Commissioners agreed to give Hardwire $10,000. The grant will be used to upgrade the electrical system at the company’s new building on Broad Street in Pocomoke.