Cyber Project Earns Rescue Plan Funding
The Howard County Economic Development Authority was awarded $500,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to continue developing its Maryland Cyber Workforce Solutions project on behalf of a coalition of Maryland local governments, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer‘s office announced.
The coalition includes Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Charles County, Harford County, Howard County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County.
The grant was awarded through Phase 1 of the US Economic Development Administration’s “Build Back Better Regional Challenge.” By competing successfully for a Phase 1 grant, Howard County and its partners will have the opportunity to further develop specific project ideas and compete for a larger amount of funding for implementation in Phase 2.
The proposal from the Howard County Economic Development Authority aims to leverage Maryland’s strength as a leader in cybersecurity and to open up more pathways for workers to enter into this field and contribute to its continued growth and innovation.
“As we have seen over the last few weeks with the Maryland Department of Health’s recent cyberattacks, we must continue to strengthen and reinforce our cybersecurity efforts in Maryland to protect us from online threats, security breaches, and hacks that jeopardize our safety and privacy. That’s why the creation of the Solutions project is critical – so we can stay at the forefront of this rapidly developing field by investing in our workforce and continuing to grow jobs,” members of Maryland’s congressional delegation said. “This new round of America Rescue Plan funding will help expand opportunities in the cybersecurity community and strengthen our middle class through skills training programs. We will keep working to provide our communities with critical federal funding and assistance to build back better and stronger.”
This funding opportunity was made possible by the American Rescue Plan, one of Congress’ key legislative accomplishments last year aimed at driving economic recovery from the near-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic with an eye toward future growth and competitiveness.
The Phase 1 award granted to the project is an outcome of a highly competitive process in which 529 applications were submitted to the EDA, highlighting the strong interest and need across the country for concerted economic development planning on a regional scale.
Phase 1 of the challenge required regions to submit unique plans that will develop industry, train the local workforce, and build economies. As a finalist, the Howard County Economic Development Authority will compete for Phase 2 of the challenge for an award of $100 million for three to eight projects across Maryland that support an industry sector.
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