How New Bedford Businesses Can Benefit From Offshore Wind

Offshore wind companies are about to spend an awful lot of money to bring their industry to the United States. This is the time for New Bedford businesses, especially minority and women-owned businesses, to line up for their share of the cash windfall.

Vineyard Wind and the U.S Offshore Wind Business Network are sponsoring a free, three-day training for local business owners, so they can be a part of the supply-chain needed for offshore wind development.

Erik Andrade is working with Vineyard Wind and the Offshore Wind Network. He joined Townsquare Sunday this week to get the word out.

"They're going to need vessels and people to operate them, they're going to need contractors, plumbers, ship suppliers, so there's a wide array of businesses needed," Andrade said.

He said the first step is to get information. You can visit the Business Network for Offshore Wind to get an overview of how businesses can get involved.

There is also a free, three-day training session geared for under-represented groups – African-American, Native American, Women, Veteran, Portuguese-American and LGBTQ+ owned businesses – on March 7, 8 and 9 at the Verdean Veterans Memorial Hall on Purchase Street. in New Bedford.

The sessions run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and participants are urged to register online.

"The economy will really grow when local businesses owners are getting contracts inside this industry," Andrade said. "It may not be overnight that you get a contract, but it's important to have this information so you can pivot your business and get in the pipeline."

The complete Townsquare Sunday interview with Erik Andrade can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a public affairs program heard every Sunday at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. on WBSM.

The program spotlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.