Governor Moore Invests $7 Million in Maryland's Future Economy

Baltimore, MD — Governor Wes Moore announced nearly $7 million in 'Build Our Future' grant awards on June 8, 2026. These funds from the Maryland Department of Commerce are directed at 11 distinct projects, bolstering innovation infrastructure across the state’s eligible technology sectors.

This initiative, part of the Governor’s Innovation Economy Infrastructure Act of 2023, provides grants up to $2 million. Recipients include private companies, non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions.

Strategic Investments Across Key Sectors

The grant program targets a broad spectrum of critical industries, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, aerospace, and artificial intelligence. Additional sectors such as cybersecurity, life sciences, quantum, and renewable energy also benefit from this strategic funding.

Governor Moore emphasized that these investments are crucial for building a competitive Maryland economy. He highlighted the grants' role in advancing clean energy, biotechnology, medtech, and robotics, positioning Maryland to 'win the decade.'

Diverse Projects Bolster Local Economies

Several projects are set to significantly impact local economies. In Baltimore City, Blackbird Laboratories received $750,000 for a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Catalyst Facility, fostering rapid development of diagnostic technologies.

CoapTech, Inc., also in Baltimore City, was awarded $477,750 to establish local manufacturing for sterile medical devices. Colonial Metals, Inc. in Cecil County secured $1,000,000 to construct new chemical manufacturing wet lab space focusing on precious metal compounds.

Anne Arundel County sees two significant aerospace investments: Intuitive Machines, LLC, receiving $1,000,000 to expand its Super Cislunar Robotics Assembly Building, and Ten One Aerospace LLC, awarded $200,000 to upgrade its payload Assembly, Integration, and Test facility. Frederick County's Theradaptive, Inc. received $464,978 to scale up local manufacturing of a synthetic bone filler.

Addressing Societal Challenges and Future Growth

Beyond economic growth, the grants also support Governor Moore’s broader mission to combat child poverty and enhance economic mobility. Projects located in communities with high concentrations of childhood poverty, as designated by Maryland’s ENOUGH Initiative, received additional scoring consideration.

Five of the grant recipients, totaling $3.5 million, are situated in ENOUGH-eligible communities within Baltimore City. This targeted approach ensures that economic development also contributes to social equity initiatives.

Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr., affirmed the state's capacity for innovation. He underscored that these grants not only support individual entities but also propel the entire economy forward.

Since its inception, the Build Our Future program has disbursed nearly $23 million to 32 recipients, leveraging $75.5 million in private investment. These efforts are projected to create an estimated 828 new jobs across Maryland.

Looking ahead, the recently enacted DECADE Act of 2026 will transition the program to the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) starting July 1. This move signals a continued commitment to fostering innovation and economic resilience within the state.