A new independent study from the Business and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) at Salisbury University demonstrates what nearly two decades of clean energy investment has meant for Maryland’s economy, workers and communities. The study looks at the work MCEC has done from 2009 to 2025 and measures the effects of its programs; the results are clear. Investing in clean energy is a winning strategy for the state.
The Ripple Effect
Using a nationally recognized economic modeling system called IMPLAN, the study tracks how MCEC programs ripple through the economy. From the people directly hired on projects, to the suppliers they rely on, to the local businesses those workers support with their paychecks. The analysis focuses on real, completed projects, number of jobs, wages, economic activity, and tax revenue generated across the state of Maryland.
Results Show a 21-to-1 Return
The results show that MCEC has had a meaningful and measurable impact on Maryland. From 2009 to 2025, MCEC programs generated more than $21 in economic activity for every public dollar invested and nearly $3 dollars in tax revenue per public dollar. Over the full study period that resulted in $621 million in statewide economic output, 3,000 jobs supported, and nearly $82 million in combined tax revenue.
Fueling Efficiency
In a constrained budget climate with many competing priorities and very little room for waste, results matter. They demonstrate that funding MCEC is not simply an expense, rather, it’s an investment that pays back the state many times over. The report also finds that MCEC deploys public dollars efficiently, supporting 105 jobs per $1 million in public investment, a strong return by any workforce or economic development standard.
The Bottom Line
The findings are definitive. When Maryland invests in an instrumentality like Maryland Clean Energy Center, it isn’t just spending money. It is using a proven tool to maximize impact, attract outside capital, and deliver far greater value to taxpayers. Clean energy means stronger local economies, lower energy costs, and a smarter use of public dollars.