Traditional Industries

Assembly/Light Manufacturing :: Wood Resources/Products :: Construction Materials

What makes Allegany County attractive to such national and international companies as HunterDouglas, Biederlack, American Woodmark, Superfos Packaging, National Jet, Bayliner Marine, NewPage and as of June 2007, Sierra Hygiene, a California-based paper products manufacturer. A great labor supply, a low real estate cost, rail and interstate transportation access and a business friendly atmosphere.

Allegany County has a long history as a prime location for traditional industries. Initially known as a transportation hub, then as home to both major and small manufacturers, the county boasts an understanding of the challenges traditional businesses and industries face as they compete in today's marketplace. And we are helping them meet those challenges.

Our location in the Mid-Atlantic region provides for easy access to nearly a third of the nation's population. The shipping of products is easily achieved via the national east/west corridor of Interstate 68. I68's intersection with major north/south routes ensures the product can get there from here. Twenty-five motor freight common carriers currently serve Allegany County. The large CSX rail yard plus the reciprocal switching agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad and the regional airport add to the resources traditional industries can rely on to make their business work. The Port of Baltimore, a leading break-bulk port, is only 130 miles east of Cumberland providing six public terminals.

The local work force is another element to be counted in favor of traditional businesses and industries - the work force here welcomes the challenges that face industries operating in the highly competitive business market. Dedicated and with a strong work ethic, the local work force is an asset to the industries located in Allegany County.

For businesses that need special training for their employees, Allegany College of Maryland provides customized employee training programs for individual companies through the Allegany College Continuing Education Department (www.ac.cc.md.us).

Allegany County offers a great variety of real estate options - eight industrial parks located throughout the county, a thriving incubator at Frostburg State University, traditional and non-traditional buildings that can be customized to individual needs and other land options.