Workforce Technical Training Grant

The Workforce Technical Training Grant program is administered by the Harford County Department of Economic Development to support local businesses in improving workforce capabilities and overall competitiveness. As a county-level initiative, the program reflects Harford County’s commitment to economic development by investing in employer-driven workforce advancement. The grant is structured as a reimbursement-based program, meaning employers initially incur training costs and are later reimbursed upon successful completion and documentation. The program is offered in competitive funding rounds and is contingent upon the availability of county budgeted funds. The primary purpose of the program is to help employers enhance the technical skills of their existing workforce. The grant focuses specifically on intermediate to advanced technical training that leads to industry-recognized credentials or certifications. These credentials must be transferable and directly contribute to improved productivity or expanded operational capacity within the business. The program is not intended to support general education or introductory training but instead emphasizes targeted, skill-specific development aligned with business growth objectives. Funding under the program supports both external and internal training activities, with clear distinctions regarding allowable costs. External training may include course fees and employee wages during training hours, provided those wages are paid during the regular workweek. Internal training may include wages for employees undergoing on-the-job training, as well as costs for required books and certain training-related software used solely for instructional purposes. However, the program explicitly prohibits costs such as travel, lodging, food, onboarding training, safety certifications, internships, and tuition reimbursement for broader educational programs. Eligibility is limited to small businesses with a physical presence in Harford County that meet Small Business Administration size standards. Eligible employees must be full-time, working at least 30 hours per week, and must earn at least 150 percent of the Maryland state minimum wage. Additional requirements include that the employee works in Harford County and is directly paid by the applicant business. Applicants must not have any outstanding indebtedness to the county and must demonstrate both direct and indirect economic impacts, such as productivity gains or job retention. The application process requires submission through the eCivis Grants Portal and includes several mandatory components. Applicants must complete the official application form, submit an employee spreadsheet using the provided template, and include documentation such as proof of training costs, evidence of payment, and proof of successful completion. For internal training programs, applicants must also submit a curriculum or training outline. All supporting documentation must be prepared and uploaded at the time of submission, and applicants are required to download and complete all necessary forms prior to initiating the application. The timeline for the first funding round includes an application window from July 1, 2026 through November 1, 2026, with training required to be completed between July 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026. A second round is scheduled later in the program year with separate training completion deadlines. Final approval of awards is subject to review by the Economic Development Advisory Board Workforce Committee and depends on funding availability. Applicants must retain all documentation for at least three years following the award in case of audit. Contact for the program is provided through the Harford County Department of Economic Development, which offers both general program assistance and technical support for the application portal. Applicants may reach the department via email or phone during standard business hours. The program is recurring with multiple funding rounds per year, reinforcing its role as an ongoing workforce development tool within the county’s economic strategy.

Ensure training meets advanced technical criteria and results in recognized credentials and submit complete documentation at time of application