NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) – As New Bedford prepares to host the country’s first large-scale wind project, the state is developing a skilled, diverse and fair workforce to keep it going.

Governor Charlie Baker visited the New Bedford Trade Terminal, which was chosen as the project’s staging area, on Wednesday to describe the state’s efforts to ensure its offshore wind workforce is properly trained and ready to go.

In order to meet the state’s ambitious offshore wind targets, Baker said he plans to devote $ 100 million in federal COVID relief funds to the development of critical port infrastructure.

Baker said that by doing this, the state will “maximize the economic potential of this industry.”

“You can’t yet find the work that’s been done here, nowhere on the East Coast, and I think at this point you’re going to start to see a significant amount of momentum pick up,†Baker said.

The New Bedford Commerce Terminal will become a hub designed to support the construction, assembly and deployment of offshore wind projects, including a massive wind farm that is expected to be located 14 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.

When completed, the 84-turbine wind farm will produce 800 megawatts of wind power, or nearly 6% of the state’s current electrical load.

The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and regional training opportunities in an emerging industry.

Baker said the state was working with Bristol Community College and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to strengthen the workforce.

The transit area is expected to be completed by 2023, which is also the date for the start of construction of the offshore wind project.