A familiar name in Allegany County’s entrepreneurial landscape is back with a fresh idea—and this time, it’s frozen. Todd Helmick, founder and former owner of well-known Western Maryland Lemonade, has returned to his roots with Mountain Maryland Foods, a new food venture that’s quickly gaining traction at local farmers' markets and beyond.

Tech at the Gap will return for its ninth year this fall, bringing industry professionals, students, and entrepreneurs from across the Mid-Atlantic to explore the future of technology in Western Maryland. Hosted by the Western Maryland I.T. Center of Excellence, Tech at the Gap 2025: Pioneering Possibility will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland.What began as a small-scale event of around 100 participants has more than doubled in size, evolving into a top-tier regional showcase for innovation and technology. “It's hard to believe that we’ve been holding this conference for nine years,” said Autumn Becker, Executive Director of the Western Maryland I.T. Center of Excellence. “It's incredibly rewarding to see how we've grown and how we've fostered some great relationships. Some of which include our sponsors, Allegany County Economic and Community Development, TEDCO, and the Maryland Tech Council, which have been supporting us since the very beginning.”Beyond its growth in attendance, Tech at the Gap has expanded in scope. Originally focused on highlighting tech trends in IT, the conference has evolved into a platform that elevates the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem of Western Maryland. “We've been able to highlight what's happening in the IT, tech, cyber, and AI industries,” said Becker. “But, we've found our niche in being able to highlight what's really happening in Western Maryland and what's unique to our region that makes us stand out.”This year’s theme, Pioneering Possibility, emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial thinking as a catalyst for innovation. The idea is simple: whether it’s applied within emerging tech startups or established organizations, adopting the entrepreneurial mindset empowers individuals to drive change, develop new solutions, and lead with agility in an evolving digital landscape.“All of our keynote and breakout presenters are entrepreneurs in their own right,” noted Becker. “Or they've embraced that entrepreneurial spirit within the organization they work for—taking new, cutting-edge technology, a lot of times related to AI, and implementing it into their workplace. They're developing new products and new processes within their organization and really being key players in that realm.”The same spirit extends to the next generation of innovators as well. While not designed specifically as a student conference, the event draws emerging talent and fresh ideas and offers a launching point for those looking to innovate, build, and contribute to the region’s growing tech economy.Each year, Tech at the Gap features expert voices across cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and innovation. From seasoned executives to creative technologists, the conference offers insights that resonate with both creative technologists and emerging leaders. Here’s a preview of the dynamic keynote speakers who will lead this year’s conversations:

What began as a hobby in the kitchen has transformed into a multi-faceted business and a growing downtown presence for Cumberland native Micheal Harris. Harris is the owner of Pepper on a Plate, a gourmet hot sauce company that found its roots in handcrafted gifts for friends. After years of developing recipes and refining flavors, Harris officially launched the brand in Cumberland, Maryland, and later expanded into a full-service eatery known as Sabroso Tacos. “I was doing hot sauces—gourmet, small-batch hot sauces—and one day we had an outdoor special and I did tacos,” Harris noted. “Someone said, ‘What a good combination.’”

When Clym Environmental Services announced its plans to bring a new kind of medical waste facility to Frostburg, Maryland, the promise was forward-thinking: a zero-emission, solar-powered system that could eliminate the need for incineration or autoclaving while keeping plastics out of landfills. Now, about a year and a half later, the project is entering its final phase thanks to a strong network of state and local partners. According to Clym President and Managing Member Charles Watts, the company spent the past 18 to 24 months pressure-testing its model with industry partners and technical benchmarks, and the results have been promising.“We have been quietly approaching the pharmaceutical industry, and we've been testing the concept to see if sustainable regulated medical waste management is something that is indeed of interest to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Watts. “We've been able to prove that it's achievable and readily achievable.”

Downtown Frostburg’s historic charm comes with a unique challenge: its mountainous topography.As the city’s Main Street climbs the hills of Western Maryland, building stability becomes a serious concern that has delayed or prevented rehabilitation efforts for some of Frostburg’s most prominent historical and commercial structures. In response, the City of Frostburg and Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) are taking action through a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening downtown buildings and returning them to active use: The Frostburg Main Street Structural Stabilization Grant Program.This grant program is part of a broader investment by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through its FY 2025 State Revitalization Program Awards. ACECD received $250,000 in state funding under the Strategic Demolition Fund (SDF) to help stabilize at-risk buildings along Frostburg’s historic Main Street corridor.According to Bethany Fife, Director of Community Development for the City of Frostburg, the need for this initiative became clear as multiple property owners raised the same concerns. “We kept hearing the same thing again and again—property owners wanted to bring these spaces back, but they couldn’t even begin renovations until serious stabilization work was done,” Fife explained. Known as the “Mountain City,” Frostburg sits at an average elevation of 2,000 feet. Topographic and climate data also show Frostburg receiving more than 80 inches of snow annually, with snowfall occurring from October through May. These prolonged winter conditions contribute to long-term wear on buildings, particularly those on the city’s steep Main Street corridor.“In just about a year and a half, we had four or five property owners come to us with the same issue,” Fife noted. “It wasn’t cosmetic work—it was the structural stuff. That’s when we knew we had to come together and create a solution.”The Frostburg Main Street Structural Stabilization Grant Program provides targeted financial support to address the most critical and expensive barriers to redevelopment: structural repairs. While the funding comes from DHCD’s Strategic Demolition Fund, the local focus is on preservation, not demolition. “Stabilization could be foundation repairs, framing, roof support beams, or the roof itself—just anything that makes up the four walls and walls inside,” Fife explained.

When the McCagh family opened 1812 Brewery—Allegany County’s first farm brewery—they did so with a commitment to craft quality beer while supporting the local community. In 2023, 1812 Brewery was already growing fast. Now, two years later, the McCagh family’s vision has become a reality. With support from state and local funding partners, 1812 Brewery has completed a purpose-built production facility, expanded its reach across Western Maryland, and added jobs to meet growing demand for its locally crafted beer.In June 2025, 1812 Brewery celebrated its eighth anniversary and the ribbon-cutting of a new 4,000-square-foot production space, which is now fully operational with state-of-the-art brewing systems. The facility marks a major milestone for the business, which had previously operated out of a historic 1812-era barn on the family’s farm just outside Cumberland.

With nearly 21% of Allegany County residents now age 65 and older, the need for services that support aging in place continues to grow. In response, Seniors Fix, a home healthcare provider based in Allegany County, helps local seniors maintain their independence while remaining in their homes.Drawing on years of experience as a general contractor and a home healthcare professional, Lisa Claus created Seniors Fix in 2023 to fill gaps in the senior healthcare system and help area seniors live independently. Seniors Fix provides seniors with nursing support and home modifications that enable independent living and offers a cost-effective alternative to assisted living and nursing home care. The company’s monthly home maintenance program, skilled nursing support, companion care, transportation, and ongoing medication management help aging adults maintain their quality of life and achieve their goals.

Allegany County is preparing for its most ambitious housing development in over six decades. National homebuilder D.R. Horton has been selected to construct 65 new homes on the former Allegany High School site in Cumberland. The development will address the county's housing shortage and complement economic development efforts that are ongoing in Allegany County.The project plans include a mix of townhomes, villas, and detached single-family homes that will be equipped with smart technology and sought-after amenities. Some of the planned features of the development include ADA-accessible sidewalks, off-street parking, and proximity to recreational areas to support residents of every age. Pricing for the townhomes is currently expected to start in the high-$100s, offering one of the most affordable new construction options in the state.

Aquatic Circle, an emerging leader in sustainable aquaculture water filtration technology, has secured a major boost in funding from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program—an award that will help fast-track its entry into the industrial aquaculture sector. The funding supports a new collaboration with researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Appalachian Laboratory (UMCES) to develop and evaluate a self-cleaning water filtration system designed for brackish and saltwater shrimp farming.This MIPS award is the latest in a series of strategic investments backing Aquatic Circle’s work, including support from TEDCO, the University of Maryland, and Allegany County’s CleanTech Research & Development Grant. These resources have enabled the startup to expand research, build and test prototypes, and move its innovative technology closer to commercialization.“It always feels good when other people actually believe in what I believe in,” Minh Dung Hoang, founder of Aquatic Circle, said. “It’s hard to convince people that there’s new technology out there that actually might change the industry since the industry has existed for thousands of years.”

A new business incubator designed to support early-stage companies opened in Frostburg this month. The Acceleration Trail, developed by Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD), will provide startups with targeted resources to grow their businesses and contribute to the region’s innovation economy. Members of the public and entrepreneurs interested in learning more about The Acceleration Trail are invited to attend the Entrepreneurial Open House: Connect, Explore & Grow on Thursday, April 24 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Located on Main Street in the heart of Frostburg, The Acceleration Trail offers flexible office space, onsite business support services, and proximity to retail, dining, and recreational amenities. Entrepreneurs accepted into the incubator will have access to mentorship, training, and professional development resources provided in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Western Region.“We want to give young companies the best chances for success,” stated Adam Strott, ACECD’s Economic Development Specialist. “Offering dedicated incubation support and a growth plan for two to three years lays the foundation for companies to prosper.”Already home to top firms that are pioneering new technologies within the circular economy, Allegany County has become a hub for innovation, making the incubator a natural fit. In Frostburg, Clym Environmental Services, a leader in medical waste management, is completing construction on its state-of-the-art facility. In Cumberland, Geocycle offers an environmentally sound waste removal solution to local and regional manufacturing businesses. Partnerships with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) Appalachian Laboratory, the Allegany College of Maryland Makerspace, and Frostburg State University offer additional collaboration opportunities for resident companies. While creating a business incubator was a longtime aspiration for Allegany County, funding the project became a reality three years ago. Funding for the incubator was made possible by the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund, which was announced by former Governor Larry Hogan in 2022. Of the $50 million designated for the state’s five rural regional councils, Tri-County Council for Western Maryland received $10 million and allocated $100,000 to ACECD to establish the incubator in Allegany County.