ANNAPOLIS — Governor Larry Hogan on Friday joined Ørsted and Crystal Steel in Caroline County for the announcement of Maryland’s first offshore wind steel fabrication center.

“The entire mission of my administration has been to leave our state in better shape for future generations,” said Gov. Hogan. “That means adding jobs, it means making Maryland more affordable, and it also means investing in our state’s energy future. That’s exactly why I’m so pleased to celebrate this transformative partnership between Ørsted and Crystal Steel to establish Maryland’s very first offshore wind steel fabrication center.”

The $72 million partnership will allow Crystal Steel to increase their workforce by 30% in order to construct Ørsted’s turbine foundations. These turbines will provide clean and renewable energy to 1.3 million homes across the state.

Maryland has experienced the nation’s fourth-fastest job growth and was recently named the most improved state for business in America. The Hogan administration is committed to bringing more jobs to Maryland through offshore wind manufacturing and production.