March 28, 2024

DoD Grant Targets SoMd Business Diversification

Contractors
Posted for Congressman Steny Hoyer

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin (both D-MD) announced today a $1,953,630 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) through its Defense Industry Adjustment program to the state of Maryland for an eighteen-month, economic adjustment project. The state will receive a total of $2,176,376, including $222,746 in non-federal matching funding. The funding will be used on targeted diversification strategies in Southern Maryland, including technology transfer opportunities between local Department of Defense laboratories in Southern Maryland and the private sector.

“St. Mary’s County is home to the world’s premier facility for aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation, and I will continue to ensure that Pax River Naval Air Station and all Fifth District military installations remain strong and competitive and we continue to have a significant federal presence in Southern Maryland,” stated Congressman Hoyer. “At the same time, as Department of Defense budget reductions affect defense installations throughout the country, Southern Maryland must look at how we can leverage the significant federal assets and dollars invested here and spur innovation and job creation in the private sector. We have extraordinary opportunities to grow and diversify our economy through the commercialization of defense and aerospace technologies, and I’m pleased to announce this critical funding to examine ways we can succeed in doing so and grow jobs here in Southern Maryland.”

“This grant provides a needed boost to the emerging public/private partnership that is making great progress in bringing greater diversity to the Southern Maryland economy while leveraging the assets we have in our region,” said Delegate John Bohanan.

“The Southern Maryland Navy Alliance is thrilled with OEA’s decision and looks forward to collaborating with the State of Maryland to execute high impact economic diversification projects,” said Ken Farquhar, President SMNA. “The engineering and research and development skills resident at Naval Air Station Patuxent River lend themselves to active partnerships with the private sector and academia to mutually benefit future missions at the Naval Station and organic growth in the community.”

“These funds in the federal checkbook are about growing and sustaining jobs in Southern Maryland,” said Senator Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee which funds DOD. “With our state’s leading defense installations like Pax River along with a robust and dynamic private sector, this public-private partnership will support jobs today and jobs tomorrow right here in Southern Maryland. I will continue to fight along with Team Maryland for smart investments in St. Mary’s County and economic development throughout Southern Maryland.”

“Pax River is a national treasure and a magnet for innovation and aerospace excellence. As federal budgets continue to change, we’re making wise investments that will leverage opportunities to diversify jobs and industry opportunities in St. Mary’s County. That’s a win for Maryland and our national security,” said Senator Cardin. “Promoting dynamic partnerships between Department of Defense labs and the private sector in Southern Maryland will expand the knowledge base of our warfighters and our businesses, helping both achieve their goals.”

 

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