Maryland Energy Administration Announces Fiscal Year 2019 Offshore Wind Programs

By Samuel Beirne, Energy Program Manger

The Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) Offshore Wind Business and Workforce Development Grant Programs for FY 2019 are now available. The OSW Business Program supports Maryland’s emerging businesses, including minority owned emerging businesses looking to participate in the global offshore wind industry. The OSW Workforce Program ensures Maryland has a ready and able workforce capable of supporting an offshore wind project. MEA has reserved a combined total of $2 million for competitive grants. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST.

More information and hyperlinks to the program webpages are included below and in the Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA) included in this email.

Offshore Wind Business Development Grant Program

MEA will provide grant funding on a competitive basis to help defray barrier entry costs of Maryland’s emerging businesses; including minority owned emerging businesses entering the global offshore wind industry. The Program has a budget of $1.2 million for Fiscal Year 2019. MEA will initially reserve $200,000 of total grant funding for AOI 1 and $1 million of total grant funding for AOI 2.

Offshore Wind Workforce Development Grant Program

MEA will consider applications for new or existing workforce development training centers utilized by the offshore wind industry. Training centers must provide education of a technical trade skill(s) and safety standards utilized for the development, manufacturing, construction, installation, and operations & maintenance of an offshore wind energy project. Applicants must demonstrate how project proposals will benefit Maryland’s Emerging Businesses, including minority-owned Emerging Businesses.

The Program has a budget of $800,000 for Fiscal Year 2019. Grants are calculated as 50 percent of total project costs up to $200,000, whichever is the lower amount. Applicants must contribute at least 50 percent of the total project costs.

Contact

For questions, suggestions, or more information, please contact Samuel Beirne via email at wind.mea@maryland.gov or phone at (410) 537-4090.