The development of wind energy in Erie County moved one step closer after the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. was awarded $3.7 million on Thursday.

The Department of Energy awarded LEEDco with the grant funding after meeting the requirements of the Department of Energy engineering development schedule in March.

“Receiving this funding is great news for the development of wind energy, and moves this project one step closer to fruition,” Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper said in a press release.

This is the third grant LEEDCo has received. The organization was granted $3 million in 2014 and $4 million in 2012.