The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is excited to announce the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program (the Program) for Fiscal Year 2025.
Donor Name: Maryland Energy Administration (MEA)
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 03/15/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Program is an extension of MEA’s historical Maryland Offshore Wind Capital Expenditure Program and provides grant funding on a non-competitive basis to support new or existing businesses entering the offshore wind supply chain in Maryland.
The program has multiple Areas of Interest (AOI) including:
- AOI 1: Capital Expenditures
- The Program provides grant funding on a non-competitive basis to support new or existing businesses entering the offshore wind supply chain in Maryland by offsetting their capital expenditure investments associated with implementing actions items from their Market Entry Report.
- Proposed projects must hold the potential to provide a benefit to Maryland’s offshore wind supply chain and workforce, and have direct benefits to surrounding communities. Offshore wind is a growing clean-energy industry in Maryland, and proposed projects should assist new or existing businesses to enter the state’s offshore wind supply chain. Proposed projects must provide goods and services to the offshore wind industry in Maryland, while also intending to serve the larger US offshore wind market and related industries.
- AOI 2: Industry Events
- The Program provides grant funding on a non-competitive basis to support new or existing businesses to offset costs associated with offshore wind and marine technology industry event attendance.
Funding Information
- MEA anticipates $1,750,000 for Fiscal Year 2025 to be available for AOI:
- Capital Investments of the Program. The amount awarded may vary depending on the quantity and quality of applications received and MEA’s available resources within the fiscal year. MEA will award up to 50 percent of the total project costs not to exceed $400,000. Applicants must contribute at least 50 percent of the total project costs as matching funds. Matching funds may include, but are not limited to, finance/loan agreement, cash on hand, a business line of credit, and other grant awards (state, federal, or private).
- MEA anticipates $250,000 for Fiscal Year 2025 to be available for AOI:
- Industry Events of the Program. MEA will provide financial incentives up to $5,000 per offshore wind or marine technology event, limited to one event per fiscal year.
Eligible Activities
- Funding under AOI 1: Capital Expenditures are provided to awardees to offset the costs of capital investments for Maryland organizations entering the offshore wind supply chain or. Proposed projects must hold the potential to benefit the state and local communities through job opportunities and commitments to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in their business operations. Proposed projects should also be designed to serve the larger U.S. offshore wind market and related industries.
- Grant funds may be used to offset capital expenditures such as:
- Business expansion including relocation costs, new construction of real property, and renovations to existing real property; and,
- Purchase and installation of new or manufacturer certified or third party licensed refurbished equipment at new or existing real property.
- Grant funds may be used to offset capital expenditures such as:
- Funds are provided under AOI 2 to help offset the costs associated with attending offshore wind industry events. Eligible applicants may receive a one time reimbursement of up to $5,000 for attending eligible industry events.
Eligibility Criteria
- AOI 1: Capital Expenditures
- Non-profit organizations, government and public institutions and Maryland emerging businesses are eligible to apply under the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program. Business applicants must fit within the definition of an “Emerging Business.” For purposes of this program, an “Emerging Business” is defined, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 9-20C-01(e), as “a business that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who are certified to have a personal net worth, as defined in §14-301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, that does not exceed $6,500,000 as adjusted each year for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.”
- AOI 2: Industry Events
- Non Profit organizations, government and public institutions and emerging businesses are eligible to apply under the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Incentives Program. Business applicants must fit within the definition of an “Emerging Business.” For purposes of this program, an “Emerging Business” is defined, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Gov’t § 9-20C-01(e), as “a business that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who are certified to have a personal net worth, as defined in §14-301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, that does not exceed $6,500,000 as adjusted each year for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.”
For more information, visit MEA.
