After recently receiving operations approval from the Maryland Cannabis Administration in June, staff and stakeholders with cannabis processor Organic Remedies Maryland say they are optimistic about the company’s potential in their new Cumberland location. Organic Remedies operates multiple dispensary locations throughout Pennsylvania and a well-established laboratory. However, their Allegany County processing center marks their inaugural expansion into Maryland. The Cumberland facility's Laboratory Director, Jordan Medeiros, affirms the company's commitment to offering high-quality and cost-effective cannabis products to medical and recreational consumers.

From his 25,000-square-foot Mechanic Street storefront, Rohman Taylor is continuing his family’s legacy of service in Allegany County, albeit in a less traditional manner. Rohman owns Reptilian Arts, a pet supply store that, as the name suggests, specializes in reptiles and insects. He plans to expand further with the recent receipt of $15,000 from the state’s Senator George C. Edwards Fund. Rohman has had a passion for reptiles since childhood. He grew up with fire-belly toads, green-eyed tree frogs, and other snakes and turtles. As a teenager, he began breeding leopard geckos in the basement of his family home.

Cumberland, Maryland (June 27, 2023)- The Allegany County Department of Economic & Community Development and Organic Remedies Maryland are proud to announce that Organic Remedies has been approved to be operational by the Maryland Cannabis Administration and will commence operations immediately at their location in Cumberland. Organic Remedies is excited to offer cannabis organizations premium processed products manufactured from locally grown cannabis procured from Maryland cultivators. The Organic Remedies Maryland team is led by Jordan Medeiros. A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Materials Science and Engineering program, Medeiros has spent the last five years working in the extraction and manufacturing sector of the cannabis industry. He brings a wealth of knowledge in processing cannabis and creating cannabis products with hydrocarbon and CO2 technologies. He has significant industry expertise in the creation of concentrates, topicals, edibles, and beverages. “We know Maryland patients will rave about the quality of our processed products. We are excited to bring unique products to the Maryland market and look forward to working with cannabis organizations across the state, whether under a “white label” agreement or as a distributor of our own branded products,” said Medeiros, Laboratory Director.In Phase 1, the lab’s hydrocarbon extraction will be fully operational and will produce a number of products, including liquid live resin vape cartridges, and live resin concentrates. In Phase 2, supercritical CO2 extraction technology will be added to our manufacturing scheme, giving us the capability to produce other forms of cannabis products, including RSO oil, capsules/pills, topicals, and cured concentrates. Based in Allegany County, Maryland, the facility will provide a boost to the local economy with the addition of new jobs in the area. Medeiros said the company is looking forward to becoming a strong community leader. “We have built a solid relationship with the county leaders and are appreciative of the support we have received throughout to become operational,” said Medeiros. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the Organic Remedies team, and we’re thrilled to see them get up and running. They have been forward thinking and diligent business leaders, and we’re glad they chose Allegany County to call home,” said Jeff Barclay, director of the Allegany County Department of Economic and Community Development. “In addition to the job component, this location is expected to generate a substantial annual tax base for Allegany County.”In the coming months, Organic Remedies Maryland is anticipating state-approval to add additional products to its offering, such as the company’s unique “nano gummies,” a water-based product produced using Organic Remedies’ proprietary nano emulsion technology. Nano gummies are especially good for individuals who have trouble digesting oil-based products. Nano emulsion technology increases bioavailability and absorption with a shorter onset than typical oil-based products. For future news and employment opportunities, please visit www.organicremediesMD.com. 

Right now, satellite parts made in Allegany County are orbiting the moon. They were designed locally at LaVale-based National Jet Company, an 86-year-old business that has also become a family legacy.National Jet is a company that specializes in precision micro-hole drilling and also provides other machining services. In addition to its core expertise, the company engages in the manufacturing of various parts and is renowned as one of the three global manufacturers of dye used in the production of medical masks. The Griffith family has owned National Jet since 1992, when Sam and Pam Griffith purchased the company following the previous owner's death. Sam served as President of the company until 2020, when his son Sam Griffith Jr. succeeded him. 

Minh Dung Hoang, an electrical engineer, found his inspiration for the revolutionary filtration system, Aquatic Circle, in his desire to maintain a pristine fish tank for his family. This groundbreaking creation could transform the aquaculture industry, and Dung's journey to bring his idea to life began and continues in Allegany County.Originally from Vietnam, Dung pursued his education and career as an electrical engineer. However, his academic pursuits led him to relocate from France to New York City, where he completed a collaborative Ph.D. program at NYU Medical Center. While there, Dung specialized in designing MRI coils for small animals. In 2017, he moved to Allegany County to join his wife, who had relocated the previous year for her position at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Appalachian Laboratory.

Photos courtesy of Allegany County TourismWith assistance from Allegany County, three local businesses will soon enhance their offerings as recipients of the Rocky Gap Fund. The selected businesses will receive funding for projects that will benefit their operations and enrich the experience for patrons at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort.Each year, the county’s 15-member Local Development Council deliberates on how to award funds generated from Rocky Gap’s slot machines, of which the county receives 5.5% of the revenue. Per state law, 20% of this revenue must be awarded for capital requests. Basecamp Coffee Company, Locust Post Brewery, and Wheelzup Adventures were selected as the recipients of this year’s funding.County Administrator Jason Bennett, who also serves as the Council Chair, says that the selected projects present immediate benefits to both the county and Rocky Gap Casino Resort.“All three projects will allow locally grown businesses to expand their offerings to the community and directly employ more people,” says Bennett. “We get the added benefit of additional amenities that both local residents and tourists will enjoy. The Rocky Gap Casino Resort will benefit from new and expanded boat rentals onsite from Wheelzup Adventures, a delicious locally brewed coffee to offer their guests from Basecamp Coffee Company and a nearby craft brewer in Locust Post Brewery with a new disc golf course and expanded outdoor seating.” 

Owning and operating a brewery was not something initially in the plans for her family, says Terri McCagh. However, since the family opened 1812 Brewery less than a decade ago, they’ve experienced a lot of success and enjoyed the process, she says. Soon, they’ll expand with help from a $750,000 state grant.Located outside of Cumberland’s city limits, 1812 Brewery sits off the beaten path on a historic farm owned by the McCagh family. Visitors can sample beer brewed in the converted barn — which was first built in 1812 and is the brewery’s namesake — while enjoying the farm’s views of the county’s sprawling green mountains. 

When searching for a location for their new branch, Energy Select LLC President James Horstkamp says it was important for their future home to be in a dynamic location that would support their mission. Horstkamp says they found exactly what they were looking for in Allegany County. Energy Select LLC is a full-service energy consulting and contracting company. They specialize in green energy systems for residential and commercial customers, including solar panel installation, energy audits, lighting retrofits, and other measures that conserve both power and money. The company also installs electric vehicle charging stations and solar storage batteries.

When Berkeley Springs Instruments (BSI) was in search of a new location, a public-private partnership was formed with Allegany County Government, affording them the chance to remain in Allegany County and strategize for future expansion — all to the benefit of both the company and the community.BSI has been in business for more than 35 years. They manufacture ultrasonic sensors used to monitor the health and integrity of pipelines. The process is done entirely in-house, with BSI staff designing, building, deploying, and monitoring the specialized devices once they are in use. BSI sensors are primarily sold in North America and have sales operations throughout the country, but all the manufacturing takes place in Allegany County, says President Gene Silverman

Yesterday, April 20th, 2023, the Allegany County Commissioners approved a motion to publish a request for proposal (RFP) for the redevelopment of the roughly 12 acres located at the site of the former Allegany High School. The County is seeking developers to build market-rate, owner occupied housing on the site. The County will be leveraging grant funds to build infrastructure and conduct sitework, so that units will remain affordable to the average homebuyer. The County hopes to target a per-unit price of $200,000 to $250,000 for 80% of units and $250,000 to $300,000 per unit for 20% of the units. Those entities interested in submitting a proposal may find the RFP and its requirements at the County's website or by visiting eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) under project name "Request for Proposals: Development of Market Rate Housing on County Owned Land (Cumberland, MD)." During the initial period of the bid opening, all potential bidders may ask questions until Monday, May 22, 2023. All questions will be answered in a timely manner that corresponds with Allegany County Procurement Policy and the Maryland Procurement Manual, and shall be published within 48 hours of the close of questioning, with all questions to be published as an addendum no later than close of business (4:00 PM EDT) of Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Bids will no longer be accepted after the close of the bid period, which is Friday, June 30, at close of business (4:00 PM EDT). Once all bids have been received, they will be unsealed and sent to the review committee the following Monday, July 3, 2023. The review committee will take three weeks to review all bids and select winners. The target date for announcing the winners will be Thursday, July 28, 2023. However, depending on the volume of bids received, this may be subject to change, but will be clearly communicated. Please direct all queries regarding the project to Adam Strott, Economic Development Specialist, at astrott@alleganygov.org.