Governor Moore Announces $2.6 Million in Additional Industry-Led EARN Workforce Development Grants

ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 20, 2026) - Governor Wes Moore today announced an additional $2.6 million to help Maryland businesses upskill their workers, strengthen talent pipelines, and meet growing industry demand across the state. Delivered through the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program, the funding will help more than 100 employers connect more than 750 Marylanders to occupational training, industry-recognized credentials, and supportive services.

"You can't have a competitive state without a growing economy, and you can't have a growing economy without a clear economic strategy," saidGov. Moore. "Through EARN Maryland, we are aligning government, business, and workers around a shared goal: preparing more Marylanders for the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow while strengthening our state's long-term economic competitiveness."

EARN Maryland is the state's nationally recognized, industry-led workforce program that brings together employers, training providers, and community organizations to design training that leads directly to employment or career advancement. Known for its strong return on investment, EARN Maryland generates an estimated $19 of economic impact for every $1 of state funding invested.

Under the Moore-Miller Administration, nearly 4,000 Marylanders have been placed into employment through EARN Maryland. The program has also upskilled more than 5,800 incumbent workers, helping an estimated 1,700 businesses train or upskill valued talent.

"Maryland businesses are upskilling their workers to meet evolving industry needs and creating more opportunities for Marylanders to advance into in-demand careers," said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. "By investing in these employer-driven efforts through EARN Maryland, we're investing in workers, strengthening businesses, and helping to grow and diversify our economy."

The additional investment announced today advances the Moore-Miller Administration's all-of-government approach to boosting economic mobility and combating childhood poverty. Two-thirds of awardees will target jobseeker outreach to ENOUGH communities and nearly 40 percent will seek to enroll individuals receiving SNAP benefits into training programs. The ENOUGH Initiative is the Moore-Miller Administration's comprehensive strategy to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility through coordinated investments in communities with high concentrated levels of poverty.

"EARN Maryland is a proven strategy to increase economic mobility in Maryland, and this expansion to serve ENOUGH communities will maximize its impact," said Governor's Office for Children Special Secretary Carmel Martin. "For Maryland's workforce to thrive, every community needs strong pathways to careers. The Moore-Miller Administration's all-of-government approach is ensuring the State's investments are directed where they are needed most."

"New federal laws place unprecedented obstacles between Marylanders and their SNAP benefits," said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. "EARN grants will not only fuel Maryland's workforce and extend opportunity across our state, but will help families overcome federal red tape and maintain access to vital benefits to put healthy food on the table."

Awardees

The grants will support 18 EARN Maryland projects across the state led by community colleges, local workforce boards, training providers, and nonprofit organizations. Funded projects focus on critical sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, clean energy, and the skilled trades.

Funded projects include:

• Allegany College of Maryland (healthcare)
• Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (hospitality)
• Captiva Solutions (cybersecurity)
• Centro de Apoyo Familiar (healthcare)
• Chesapeake College (healthcare)
• City of Refuge (clean energy)
• Construction Trades Workforce Initiative (clean energy, skilled trades)
• Dreams Work (skilled trades)
• Dwyer Workforce Development (healthcare)
• Emma's Torch (hospitality)
• Frederick Community College (healthcare)
• IEC Chesapeake Apprenticeship and Training, Inc. (green, clean energy, skilled trades)
• Maryland Workforce Association (education)
• Phase 3 Training Corporation (clean energy)
• Story Tapestries (childcare)
• Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (healthcare)
• VETWorkS (clean energy, manufacturing, transportation and logistics)
• Women in Cybersecurity (cybersecurity)

Visit the Maryland Department of Labor website for additional information about the EARN awardees, including their regions of impact across Maryland.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Dinah Winnick