Page 12 - Port of Baltimore - Issue 4 - 2022

PORT SOUNDINGS ENVIRONMENT
Agreement, Contract Award Mark Mid-Bay Progress
At an October 6 event, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) celebrated the official commencement of the Mid-Bay Island project, following a $43.1 million contract award to Coastal Design & Construction, a small business based in Gloucester, VA.
The event followed another key step taken in late August. At that time, USACE Baltimore District Commander Col. Estee Pinchasin, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary James F. Ports Jr. and Maryland Port Administration Executive Director William P. Doyle signed a $4 billion Project Partnership Agreement for reusing dredged sediment to restore the James and Barren islands in Dorchester County.
Officially known as The Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project, the Mid-Bay effort is integral to the Port’s strategy for managing the nearly two million cubic yards of sediment that are dredged from
Bay shipping channels every year. The project will create a future placement site for dredged material near what remains of James and Barren islands.

Once complete by mid-century, Mid-Bay Island will comprise approximately 55% wetland and 45% upland habitats.
“The Mid-Bay project is the next frontier for coastal and island restoration,” Doyle said. “It will give us dredged sediment placement capacity for 30 years and strengthen the shoreline of Dorchester County.” 􏰀
Left to right: Army Civil Works Assistant Secretary Hon. Michael Connor, Corps Major Gen. Richard Heitkamp, Corps Baltimore District Col. Estee Pinchasin, Congressman John Sarbanes, White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Ben Cardin and MPA Executive Director William Doyle.
FUNDING
Federal Government Funds
Offshore Wind Apprenticeship Program
Deputy U.S. Commerce Secretary
Don Graves joined Maryland officials, including Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson and leaders from
US Wind, at Tradepoint Atlantic in early August to announce the recipients
of a grant funded by the federal government’s Good Jobs Challenge.
The Good Jobs Challenge is part
of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s American Rescue Plan and will be used to fund 32 locally led workforce programs that aim to transform communities across
the country.
In Maryland, the initiative being funded is the Maryland Works for Wind project. Through this project, the Maryland Department of Labor will support the growing offshore
wind industry by implementing a new apprenticeship model. In partnership with employers such as Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Crystal Steel Fabricators, US Wind and Orsted Offshore North America as well as seven local
unions, the department will build a training model that meets the needs of employers and local communities. With a focus on formerly incarcerated individuals, veterans, disconnected youth and other underserved populations, the program will train thousands of individuals to enter well- paying jobs in the industry.
Altogether, the Good Jobs Challenge has $500 million in grant funds to give away, of which $22.9 million are going to Maryland.
US Wind CEO Jeff Grybowski
applauded the announcement.
“Building offshore wind projects off the coast of Maryland and at Sparrows Point Steel in Baltimore County will require a multi-faceted, multi-skilled workforce. The Maryland Works for Wind initiative, under the leadership
of the Maryland Department of Labor, will enable our business to grow
and thrive by providing the skilled workforce we need to compete in today’s global economy. With the help of union labor, minority businesses and community colleges, we can train diverse workers from underserved populations for good-paying jobs that serve both US Wind’s projects and the greater U.S. market. We look forward to working with these partners to support the creation of an offshore wind manufacturing hub for the region.” 􏰀
[10] The Port of Baltimore ■ ISSUE 4 / 2022
BILL MCALLEN