BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced grants to benefit small businesses.
The Maryland Department of Commerce has received a $1.01 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain to accelerate the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies. The funding was awarded as part of the larger State Manufacturing Leadership Program, a $50 million federal effort that awarded grants to 12 state programs across the United States.
“Manufacturing is a vital part of Maryland’s economy, and continuing to encourage our business community to invest in smart manufacturing technologies will give our state the edge it needs to remain competitive in a changing environment,” Moore said.
The funding will be used in three areas: technology readiness assessments for manufacturers, technical assistance on the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, and a general expansion of existing Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 programs. The state says businesses that invest in Industry 4.0 technologies will see benefits including increased productivity and sales, cost savings and employee retention.
Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson said additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy will ensure Maryland continues to lead the way in Industry 4.0 and smart technology.
