Byte Back’s Maryland expansion gets new boost

New funding will help Byte Back expand into Maryland.

The 20-year-old nonprofit that teaches IT skills to low-income residents received a $200,000 grant from the Greater Washington Works Initiative, according to the organization.

The two-year grant will help Byte Back introduce classes in Prince George’s County, Md., this fall. Starting in October, the nonprofit is partnering with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation-Workforce Services Division on a program called EPIC.

Short for Education Partnership for IT Careers, the program will allow 60 people to receive IT training. In addition to CompTIA A+ career training, students receive a laptop to take home during training and keep after the course is completed. It’s free for students.

The Maryland expansion was first discussed earlier this year, when Byte Back received a $360,000 WeWork Creator Award.

“This is transformative for our organization and for the expansion of tech career opportunities in the DMV,” Byte Back Executive Director Elizabeth Lindsey said via email.