The Business Network for Offshore Wind (BNOW) has been awarded a grant in Rhode Island for its READY 4 OFFSHORE WIND program.
In total, Rhode Island Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) announced 12 new partnerships and $1.6 million in implementation grants to expand Real Jobs Rhode Island, a workforce and economic development grant program launched by Raimondo in 2015. After a issuing solicitation for proposals in January, DLT received applications from employers across the state.
Led by BNOW, the READY 4 OSW initiative is designed to create opportunities for Rhode Island businesses to enter the offshore wind industry. The program will educate businesses about the supply chain and the role of their business in project development through BNOW’s proprietary Foundation to Blade training.
“We thank Governor Raimondo for prioritizing the value of the local supply chain through the implementation of the Real Jobs Rhode Island program grant,” comments Liz Burdock, president and CEO of BNOW. “As one of the recipients, we look forward to working with the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training to fully capitalize on the supply-chain opportunities that exist for the Block Island Wind Farm, Revolution Wind and neighboring offshore wind projects.
“Working with strategic industry partners, the network will work collaboratively to leverage investment, deliver educational training, conduct outreach and marketing, and foster cooperation with project developers, Tier 1 suppliers and labor unions,” Burdock continues.
The goal, she adds, is to “increase competitiveness to support the continued cost reduction in offshore renewables while simultaneously securing long-term economic benefits for the state of Rhode Island.”
