ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore announced $2.6 million in grants through Maryland’s Employment Advancement Right Now program on Jan. 20, 2026, to assist businesses in training workers and addressing industry needs statewide, including a healthcare-focused project led by the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland serving Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The funding, distributed to 18 projects, aims to connect more than 750 Marylanders with occupational training, credentials and supportive services while aiding over 100 employers. The initiative targets critical sectors such as healthcare, cybersecurity, clean energy and skilled trades to bolster economic competitiveness.
The grants support employer-driven collaborations among community colleges, workforce boards, training providers and nonprofits. Two-thirds of the awardees will prioritize outreach to communities under the state’s Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households initiative, while nearly 40 percent will enroll individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The ENOUGH initiative coordinates investments in areas with high childhood poverty rates to enhance economic mobility.
“You can’t have a competitive state without a growing economy, and you can’t have a growing economy without a clear economic strategy,” said Gov. 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.”
“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.”
“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 Lopez. “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.”
EARN Maryland generates an estimated $19 in economic impact for every $1 invested by the state. Under the Moore-Miller administration, the program has placed nearly 4,000 Marylanders into employment and upskilled more than 5,800 incumbent workers, benefiting an estimated 1,700 businesses.
The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland’s healthcare project addresses workforce needs in the region’s medical sector, which includes facilities in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The council serves as the local workforce development board for the area, coordinating training to meet employer demands in healthcare amid regional growth.
This funding aligns with ENOUGH efforts in Southern Maryland, where inaugural grant awardees include LifeStyles of Maryland Foundation Inc. in Waldorf, Charles County, receiving $65,000 for partnership activities. Calvert County received $39,485 on Jan. 13, 2026, to support its Local Management Board in addressing childhood poverty through community strategies.
In the proposed fiscal 2027 state budget, the Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of the Secretary, which administers EARN, has a $6.4 million allowance, including $140,400 for grants [FY2027-Volume1.pdf page 631]. This announcement provides additional resources beyond the budgeted amounts to support immediate training needs.
The grants went to: 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).