Available Grants

Lean training funds are now available for a limited time for Consortia member companies!

The MWCC is pleased to report a $129,000 grant facility has been created exclusively for MWCC members and their affiliate organizations.  Half of these funds have been earmarked out of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation’s (DLLR) Maryland Business Works (MBW) program; the other half are out of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s (DBED) Partnership for Workforce Quality program.  

This funding is a one-time opportunity for grant support for lean training and implementation.  It is paramount for you to take maximum advantage of these funds while they exist.  The MWCC’s ability to use these funds fully and demonstrate their benefits is the best way to help ensure that they will be made available to Consortia members again in the future.

Grant Criteria

In order to qualify for reimbursement under this grant facility, projects must meet certain criteria:

1. Grants are provided on a reimbursement basis; companies will initially pay the full cost for the activity, and will be reimbursed for a percentage afterward.
   
2. Grant requests must be approved before the activity begins – grants may not be awarded retroactively.
   
3. DLLR MBW funds must be expended before DBED PWQ; therefore, applicants must first apply for one program and, failing qualification, will then apply for the second.
   
4. Grant awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis and all funding commitments must be completed by the end of February, 2011.
   
5. Applications must be made individually by the company, or the lead participating company if the activity involves multiple corporate entities.
   
6. The grant is intended for MWCC member companies in good standing, but may include entities and associates with concrete affiliations with the member company – e.g. contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners.  Only Maryland-based facilities of corporations and non-profit organizations are eligible.  Government organizations may not apply.
   
7. Priority will be given to manufacturing and technology companies, and to small or early-stage companies.
   
8. The primary focus of the grant is on workforce leadership and lean training.  Most kaizen event proposals can be expected to receive approval, if they can be legitimately classified as “classroom plus hands-on training.”  Process mapping events, analyses or process studies, strategy development, or coaching events will generally be ineligible.  Company senior leader training will generally be ineligible.

Application Process

1. Contact Jeff Fuchs, MWCC Director, by email or phone to express your interest in participating and discuss the scope, target and timing of your training event.
   
2. Obtain a quote or contract from an approved MWCC service provider.  If you do not have a preferred provider, the MWCC will recommend one or more for you.  Provide the MWCC with an electronic copy of the quote or contract.
   
3. Submit your application to DLLR’s Maryland Business Works program.  If necessary, the MWCC can assist you with your application.  Application should be no less than 30 days prior to the planned date of the training event.
   
4. If, during Step 1, we determine your event is not suitable for MBW, or if your application to MBW is denied, the MWCC will then guide you through the application process for the DBED’s PWQ Program.