Governor Moore launches Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund to promote access to capital for small business owners

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced the launch of the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund, a $2.5 million initiative aimed at boosting access to capital for small business owners in low- to moderate-income communities. The fund, established under the governor’s 2023 Access to Banking Act, seeks to enhance funding and financial services for small businesses, which Moore called the […]

Governor Moore: Emergency loan program for former federal workers now open for applications

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore on Thursday announced that an emergency loan program for qualified former federal employees is now open for applications. The initiative offers no-interest loans to those terminated from federal employment due to circumstances beyond their control. The Federal Emergency Loan Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, was established through the Protect Our Federal Workers […]

McDonald’s locations in Maryland to hire 4,000 in partnership with Governor Moore

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced a partnership with McDonald’s to hire nearly 4,000 new employees across 330 company- and franchisee-owned restaurants in Maryland. The announcement comes as the corporation celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Archways to Opportunity education program. During a press conference, Moore, McDonald’s owner-operators, and Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu acknowledged the corporation’s […]

Governor Moore signs RAISE Act into law to boost apprenticeships in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD—In a move to bolster the state’s economy and provide Marylanders with access to family-sustaining careers, Governor Wes Moore on Tuesday signed the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act of 2025 into law. This legislation aims to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs across various industries, offering businesses a skilled workforce and Marylanders with pathways to high-demand careers. […]

Maryland unveils plan to bolster cybersecurity workforce

ANNAPOLIS, MD—A new report highlights the urgent need for a robust cybersecurity workforce in Maryland, with over 6,500 open positions in the state and Washington, D.C. between December 2023 and January 2024. This demand is projected to grow by nearly 40% over the next decade, according to the “Maryland’s Cybersecurity Talent Strategy” report (PDF), released by the Cyber Maryland Program […]

New report on workplace fraud in Maryland finds thousands of misclassified workers in state

BALTIMORE, MD—A new report from Maryland’s Joint Enforcement Task Force on Workplace Fraud (JETF) reveals a significant problem of worker misclassification in the state, costing thousands of workers crucial workplace protections and millions in tax revenue. In 2024, Task Force agencies identified over 5,500 misclassified workers through their enforcement actions. This misclassification resulted in over $36 million in unreported taxable […]

Cash App, Block Inc. settle with states over BSA/AML violations

BALTIMORE, MD—Block, Inc., the parent company of popular mobile payment service Cash App, has agreed to pay $80 million to settle with 48 state financial regulatory agencies, including Maryland, for violations of Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and anti-money laundering (AML) laws. The settlement, announced by the Maryland Department of Labor’s Office of Financial Regulation, addresses deficiencies in Block’sBSA/AML program that […]

Maryland Department of Labor announces $1 million in funding to support healthcare worker training

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Labor this week announced $1 million in grant funding for frontline healthcare workers. The funding aims to recruit, retain, and develop the careers of these essential professionals. Applications are open now for the Direct Care Workforce Innovation Program and the Career Pathways for Healthcare Workers Program, with proposals due April 4, 2025. Grants will be […]