$4.7 Million in Maryland EARN grant awards
Salisbury, Md. – Millions of dollars in state grants are set to connect Marylanders with in-demand careers and provide local businesses with skilled talent, fueling continued economic growth.
Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland Department of Labor announced more than $4.7 million in Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) grant awards on Friday. The grants will help train over 1,700 Marylanders access training and attain credentials, and connect nearly 600 workers directly to jobs in industries like cybersecurity, emerging technology, skilled trades and healthcare. Those accessing training will also include almost 1,000 workers who will receive upskilling opportunities to support their careers.
“Here in Maryland, we are dedicated to building pathways to work, wages, and wealth, and investing in our workforce, so Marylanders can take advantage of a changing economy fueled by industries of the future,” said Gov Moore in a statement released by his office. “Through the EARN grant we connect thousands of people with opportunities in high growth sectors, so that hardworking families can thrive and world-class businesses can ramp up their operations right here. Investing in Maryland workers means a stronger economy, better paying jobs, and communities where no one is left behind.”
According to state officials, the EARN Maryland program has helped nearly 2,000 employers access skilled talent.
“By investing in these industry-led partnerships, we are investing in our communities and our state’s economic future,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu.
State officials said EARN Maryland delivers a “proven return on investment, generating an estimated $19 in economic activity for every $1 invested.”
On the Eastern Shore, Department of Labor officials say the program bolsters local growth and career development to keep skilled talent on the Shore. Erin Roth, the assistant secretary of the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Department of Labor which leads the EARN Maryland program, said the department has partnered with Salisbury University to evaluate its ROI for the program and past awards have gone to higher education institutions on the Shore like Wor-Wic Community College.
“In EARN, a good example on the Eastern shore is Wor-Wic Community College. So we’ve actually invested, about $760,000 of EARN funds since 2022 alone and in two different programs,” Erin Roth said. Roth is the assistant secretary of the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Department of Labor which leads the EARN Maryland program.
She said one of the programs supports training in manufacturing, and that program “has placed over 100 workers. “Part of the reason it’s so successful for workers is because we are working with businesses to understand their needs and mapping backwards,” Roth said.
Roth said the department has also launched the winners of its Rural Health Transformation Program grant investments.
“We put over $16 million out and $4.5 million will be going to the Eastern Shore alone,” Roth said.
Roth said TidalHealth will be expanding, with more opportunities for community health workers in partnership with the Service Year program rolled out by the Moore-Miller administration.
“They’ll also be launching a new medical laboratory technician apprenticeship program, so that is an incredible opportunity and very, very exciting,” she said.
Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, Roth said about $1 million dollars will go to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“They’ll be … helping the younger generation get exposed to what the opportunities might be, so really focusing in on middle schoolers and high schoolers and getting into the schools,” Roth said.
