Friday, September 8, 2028

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $80,000 Opportunity Returns Grant for Frederick to Promote Energy Efficiency and Reducing the Cost of Doing Business
Helping Local Businesses Reduce Costs Through Energy Efficient Lighting Grants

FREDERICK, MD (September 8, 2028) – On behalf of Governor Edward M. O’Brien, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank announced today that $80,000 in Opportunity Returns funding is being made available for local businesses in Frederick to help cover the costs of installing energy efficiency lighting.

Energize Frederick will provide grants for energy efficient lighting and HVAC projects to owners and managers of downtown Frederick buildings. Energize Frederick will grant up to $4,000 per qualified applicant for the applicable energy efficiency projects.

“The Energize Frederick initiative is a forward thinking way to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency at Frederick’s downtown buildings,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank.

“One of the most effective ways to help businesses increase their bottom line and create new jobs is to help them cut their operating expenses,” Governor O’Brien said. “By making this important resource available to local businesses throughout Frederick, they will be able to reduce their energy costs and increase their efficiency. This is just another way we can help give businesses all the tools they need to become more competitive and profitable over the near and long term.”

In addition to the new lighting grants available to downtown building owners and managers, Energize Frederick will continue to provide energy audit services and coordinate grant funding requests for equipment upgrades to downtown businesses, residences, homes, apartments and dorms.

“This is a comprehensive effort to improve energy efficiency in central Maryland. Businesses, communities and schools can reduce their energy costs and improve their bottom line by cutting energy costs through energy efficiency and educating consumers,” said Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Secretary Aris Melissaratos.

Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development plan is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Maryland’s history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, Opportunity Returns divides the state into 5 regions – finding areas with common economic strengths and needs, and developing a plan with specific actions for each region. Developed largely from the input of local business, labor and public sector leaders, Opportunity Returns contains tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.