US Wind, Inc. released the following statement in response to today's (Aug 3) announcement from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to award a $22.9 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to the Maryland Department of Labor for the Maryland Works for Wind project:
"Building offshore wind projects off the coast of Maryland and Sparrows Point Steel in Baltimore County will require a multi-faceted, multi-skilled workforce," said Jeff Grybowski, CEO of US Wind. "The Maryland Works for Wind initiative, under the leadership of the Maryland Department of Labor, will enable our business to grow and thrive by providing the skilled workforce we need to compete in today's global economy. With the help of union labor, minority businesses, and community colleges, we can train diverse workers from underserved populations for good-paying jobs that serve both US Wind's projects and the greater U.S. market. We look forward to working with these partners to support the creation of an offshore wind manufacturing hub for the region."
Today, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce Don Graves joined Maryland officials, including Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and leaders from US Wind, at Tradepoint Atlantic to announce the recipients of the Department's Good Jobs Challenge - a $500 million grant fund. The Maryland Works for Wind initiative will support the growing offshore wind industry by implementing a new apprenticeship model. In partnership with leading employers - including Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Crystal Steel Fabricators, US Wind, and Orsted Offshore North America - and seven local unions, this awardee will build a training model that meets the needs of employers and local communities. With a focus on formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, disconnected youth, and other underserved populations, the awardee will train thousands of individuals to enter well-paying jobs in the industry.
About US Wind
US Wind was founded in 2011 and has established itself as Maryland's leader in offshore wind development. In 2014, US Wind acquired an 80,000-acre federal Lease area off the coast of Maryland. In 2017, Maryland approved the company's first project - MarWin and, in 2021, the state approved Momentum Wind, US Wind's second offshore wind project. US Wind is majority-owned by Renexia SpA, a leader in renewable energy development in Italy and a subsidiary of Toto Holding SpA. Toto Holding SpA has more than 40 years of experience specializing in large construction and infrastructure projects, primarily in the energy, transportation, and aviation sectors. In 2020, Apollo Global Management, an investment firm with $400 billion in assets under management, made their first global offshore wind investment in US Wind.
Press Contact:
Kristen Peterson
410-353-3582
kpeterson@thehatchergroup.com
