Workforce Availability

Allegany County draws its work force from a three-state area that comprises more than a 250,000 population within a one-hour commuting distance.

Customized Work Force Development

Based on industry demand, Maryland’s work force development programs involve employers with the local education and training community, as well as outside vendors.  This approach increases the knowledge base and skill levels of Maryland students and workers to meet business growth needs.

Free recruitment and job training assistance is provided to employers.  Client screening for all State and Federal job creation and hiring tax credits are also available.

LABOR AVAILABILITY

State and local agencies will work with your company to provide a seamless process for recruitment, assessment and placement of new employees.  This program works through local business expansion teams to assure that qualified workers are made available to new or expanding businesses.  Work force development and job placement programs participating in these efforts include those operated through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR), Allegany County Department of Economic Development, Allegany College of Maryland and other post secondary education institutions.  Through DBED, companies participating in these programs also receive state and local assistance with site selection, financing, loan packages, licensing and permitting, infrastructure issues, technology needs and other concerns specific to business expansion or relocation.

The level of funding provided to a company through the DBED program is based on a combination of factors, including:

• Number of permanent, full-time positions created and/or retained
• Level of wages/salaries
• Benefit packages
• Proposed location and rate of unemployment in the area<
• Strategic significance of the expansion or relocation to the Maryland economy
• Utilization of other state and local resources

Company performance requirements include the creation of a specific number of new jobs and their retention over a specific number of years, with drawback provisions requiring the return of funds to the state if the company does not meet its performance goals.

Ongoing Nurturing and Advocacy of Our Businesses

Once a company has located and established its operation, the job of the DBED Regional Office really begins!  We take care of our own!  Project management, ombudsman liaison, technical assistance and information and referral services are provided by in-State Business Services Regional Offices located throughout the state.  Assistance is provided to help Maryland companies increase gross sales, stabilize and expand employment, improve worker productivity and increase capital investment.

Business growth and expansion services include linkages of public and private sector resources at the national, state and local level to help raise company performance levels to global standards of excellence.

Maryland is committed to ensuring the success of the state’s businesses through a host of business assistance programs including technical assistance, work force training, industry consortia, as well as trade and export resources.  Technical assistance is available through various programs of the University of Maryland’s Engineering Research Center.  Maryland’s work force development programs provide matching grants to increase the skills of existing workers, improve employee productivity and increase employment stability.  Consortia specializing in world-class manufacturing, ISO-9000 and software development aid Maryland companies in positioning themselves for global competitiveness.  Trade and export resources assist small- and medium-sized Maryland companies to capitalize on opportunities in the global marketplace.