Baltimore County Government
Baltimore County is deeply committed to the incorporation of offshore wind into its local economy. Since the early inception of offshore wind into the United States, the state of Maryland identified the former site of Bethlehem Steel, once one of the largest steel-producing facilities in the world, within Baltimore County as a pivotal asset that could be converted to support the offshore wind industry and bring good jobs back to the community. Baltimore County has tirelessly supported multiple state administrations, culminating in the recent work of two federally-supported projects: the Baltimore County Offshore Wind Manufacturing Hub (“BOWMH”) and Maryland Works for Wind (“MWW”). The work through BOWMH develops an offshore wind manufacturing and marshaling facilities, supporting the offshore wind industry by enhancing supply chain efficiency and supporting regional economic growth.
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
NYSERDA and NJEDA partnered to create OffshoreWindTraining.org, a ground-breaking project designed to help build a robust offshore wind workforce and domestic supply chain in New York and New Jersey. The site provides two powerful tools: a Career Pathways Flowchart to help job seekers understand the career opportunities available in the offshore wind industry and a Training Locations Map to help job seekers find relevant training opportunities close to them. Building a strong workforce is critical the U.S. meeting its ambitious offshore wind goals, yet it is not always clear how new or transitioning workers can enter the industry. NYSERDA heard from industry stakeholders that job titles were confusing and prospective workers did not know what skills, training, and credentials they needed to get a job in offshore wind. Responding to these needs, NYSERDA and NJEDA partnered to build a one-stop-shop to help people learn how to enter the industry.
Port of Albany
The Port of Albany, New York, alongside globally recognized private partners, is undertaking construction of what will be the first offshore wind tower manufacturing facility in the United States. The Port of Albany prompted this endeavor by pursuing an expansion to its boundaries with the independent acquisition of over 80 acres adjacent to its operations and initiating the feasibility and permitting of the site in order to show the industry the site could serve its time frame. The Port invested at risk and in a speculative manner to prepare for and be responsive to both the state and the federal initiative for renewable energy and combating climate change. The Port brought on a world class consulting team of structural, civil and wharf engineers to advance the feasibility, design, engineering and permitting of developing the site.
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
In July 2024, LS Greenlink announced a $681 million investment in a facility on a 100-acre brownfield site in the City of Chesapeake in the Hampton Roads region, creating more than 330 new full-time jobs. Virginia officials navigated significant complexity in the Commonwealth’s successful proposal for Project Genesis, LS GreenLink’s effort to find a site for a high-voltage direct current submarine cable manufacturing facility. Collaboration and a robust suite of capabilities helped VEDP see the project through to a successful end, with VEDP’s Economic Competitiveness and Virginia Talent Accelerator Program divisions helping the company navigate federal grant applications and working to navigate any workforce concerns that existed despite the top-notch maritime workforce in Hampton Roads.
