The Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC), in partnership with BCR Cyber, has been awarded $935,680 through the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program to fund the Cybersecurity Workforce Accelerator, a significant initiative to boost workforce development in Maryland.

MACC and BCR Cyber partnered to develop the Cyber Workforce Accelerator, which equips Maryland’s community colleges with BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Ranges, providing advanced training and education technology. The Accelerator aims to train and certify thousands of entry-level IT and cybersecurity practitioners, offering opportunities to both credit and non-credit students across the state.

This State funding is in addition to $2 million in federal funding, bringing the total investment to over $2.9 million. The funding covers the procurement, configuration, and deployment of the cyber ranges and required community college and server facility infrastructure upgrades, enhancements, and staff training. BCR expects to deliver the cyber ranges and commence training by April 1, 2025.

The Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program — part of the Governor’s Innovation Economy Infrastructure Act of 2023 — provides grants of up to $2 million to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, or colleges and universities. Eligible industry sectors include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blue technology, cybersecurity, defense, energy and sustainability, life sciences, quantum, sensors, and robotics.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.