Two New FY 2018 Grant Programs Offshore Wind Business and Workforce Development Announcement

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is excited to announce two new grant programs specifically targeting the offshore wind industry. The programs are the Offshore Wind Business Development Grant Program and the Offshore Wind Workforce Development Grant Program. Maryland Energy Administration has allocated a combined $1 million for these programs which are open to emerging businesses, including minority emerging businesses, non-profits, and State, local, and municipal governments and their agencies / institutions.

Maryland Energy Administration’s Director, Mary Beth Tung, formally announced the two offshore wind programs during her welcome speech to a crowd of nearly 500 U.S. and European offshore wind business representatives at the 2017 International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF). The IPF is hosted annually by the Business Network for Offshore Wind (BNOW) and this year’s conference takes place in Annapolis, Maryland from April 19 – 21, 2017. Maryland Energy Administration and BNOW formed a partnership in 2014 to organize and prepare Maryland businesses entering the offshore wind industry. The Offshore Wind Business and Workforce Development Grant Programs build on the work of this partnership.

The Offshore Wind Business Development Grant Program supports Maryland’s emerging businesses, including minority owned emerging businesses looking to participate in the global offshore wind industry. Maryland Energy Administration seeks to jumpstart Maryland’s offshore wind supply chain by providing grant funding to help offset upfront barrier costs in two key areas: market entry assistance and capital expenditures & facilities upgrades.

The Offshore Wind Workforce Development Grant Program will provide grant funding on a competitive basis to ensure Maryland has a ready and able workforce capable of contributing to the construction, installation, and operations & maintenance of an offshore wind energy project. The Program is open to businesses, including minority owned emerging businesses, non-profits, and State, local, and municipal governments and their agencies/institutions.

Maryland Energy Administration offers several additional grants to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation, including for residents, businesses, nonprofits and government organizations. Visit www.energy.maryland.gov for more information and a full list of grants.

###

Maryland Energy Administration
On behalf of Governor Hogan the mission of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is to promote affordable, reliable and cleaner energy for the benefit of all Marylanders.  To achieve its mission, Maryland Energy Administration advises the Governor, General Assembly on matters relating to energy policy.  Maryland Energy Administration administers grant and loan programs to encourage clean energy technologies in all sectors of Maryland’s economy: Residential, Commercial, Agricultural, and Transportation. For more information about the Maryland Energy Administration, visit www.energy.maryland.gov .