Harford County has won the “House of Cards” sweepstakes, landing the production of the political drama to be distributed by online streaming service Netflix.

County Executive David R. Craig announced the deal this week.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for Harford County and will provide a noticeable boost to our economy,” Craig said in a written statement. “Between the number of jobs created, office and studio space leased, hotel rooms booked, and businesses utilized, this is yet another indication that industries of all types recognize that Harford County is a good place to do business.”

The statement said the county expects “House of Cards” to have a “major impact” on its economy.

“House of Cards” will star Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey and its pilot will be directed by David Fincher, whose recent credits include “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “The Social Network.”

The Maryland Film Office estimates the series of 13 hour-long episodes will spur $75 million in spending in the state and create more than 2,000 jobs for local crew, actors and extras.

Filming is expected to take place in and around Baltimore, so those effects will likely be spread throughout the region.

“House of Cards” will be Harford’s first major film production since “Tuck Everlasting” in 2002.

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The Department of Business and Economic Development will foot the bill for at least a dozen state employees on the governor’s upcoming trade mission to India.

DBED covered expenses for five when Gov. Martin O’Malley made a trade mission to China, South Korea and Vietnam in June. The delegation for that trip was smaller, however — 68 business leaders, educators and public officials compared to the more than 100 on board for India. The India trip will be shorter, six days as opposed to 10.

On the upcoming trip, DBED will cover expenses, meals, hotel and incidentals for O’Malley, first lady and District Court Judge Katie O’Malley and two aides — Rick Abbruzzese and Sam Clark. DBED staff on the trip will include Secretary Christian Johansson, Assistant Secretary Bob Walker, Office of International Trade Director Signe Pringle and Judy Britz, executive director of the Maryland Biotechnology Center.

DBED will also pay for the state’s India representative, Sanjiv Khanna, to make the trip as well as some expenses that will eventually be reimbursed for three members of the Secretary of State’s office. They are Secretary John McDonough, Deputy Secretary Rajan Natarajan and Director of International Affairs Mendy Nitsch.

The department has not released a cost estimate. The state only released details from the Asia trip after O’Malley returned and the receipts were totaled.

DBED spokeswoman Karen Glenn Hood said the state could use a federal grant to cover part of the cost of the trip. The U.S. Small Business Administration gave the state $585,000 in September to help increase exports from small Maryland businesses.

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