Economic Development Blog
Catch-up on the latest economic development news and events in Allegany County. Be the first to learn about local updates in housing, investment, and business oriented programs and events by signing up for our newsletter and receiving posts directly to your inbox.
- 4/17/2024Economics
Celebrating the Growing Arts Community in Cumberland
Cumberland is emerging as a thriving artistic community in Western Maryland. Thomas and Rebecca Ferleman, owners of the Ferleman Art Gallery located on Centre Street, are spearheading an initiative to cement Cumberland's reputation as a vibrant creative hub. Their plans include relocating to a larger venue, which will double as a communal center and an incubator for artists, aficionados, and collectors alike.“We looked all over the East Coast for somewhere to put the gallery and fell in love with Cumberland’s vibrant arts community,” said Thomas. “There are nationally recognized artists located right in Allegany County. They’ve created a creative home for many, including Western Maryland’s significant collector community." - 3/28/2024Economics
Craft Brews and Birdies: Locust Post Brewery Welcomes Disc Golf to Allegany County
Located along the eastern edge of Allegany County, Locust Post Brewery welcomes visitors into the area’s vast world of craft beer and outdoor recreation. The brewery's 26-acre property creates a unique farmstead-style experience, hosting a regionally-recognized disc golf course that attracts visitors across the tri-state area.Denise and Tony Cornwell, owners of Locust Post Brewery, were inspired to include a course on their property during the establishment's early development phases. Denise Cornwell shares, “It’s a great day when you can enjoy a beer and play a round of disc golf.”Following the completion of the main brewery building in 2021, Denise and Tony shifted their focus toward incorporating a course to complement their visitors' experience. Cultivation Disc Golf, located in nearby Frederick, Maryland, designed a nine-basket course for Locust Post Brewery. The par-three course is designed for players of all skill levels — from amateurs to proficient players. - 2/19/2024Economics
Clym Environmental Services Pioneers a Sustainable Regulated Medical Waste Alternative
Clym Environmental Services, a leading player in the field of waste management, is at the forefront of a groundbreaking approach to handling regulated medical waste. The company is well-known for its expertise in three core service areas: safety consulting, life science and healthcare waste management, and facility decommissioning. Clym's forthcoming Allegany facility is poised to become the home of its newly developed technology, which promises to revolutionize the treatment of regulated medical waste, offering a more sustainable and eco-friendly solution. - 2/01/2024Economics
The Rosenbaum Renovation Adds Community Value and Opportunity to Downtown Cumberland
After years of vacancy, 118 Baltimore Street is now the focus of a transformative renovation in downtown Cumberland. Now known as “The Rosenbaum,” this former department store is being renovated by CG Enterprises into a mixed-use commercial and residential space. The aim is to draw businesses, create jobs, and provide residential living options. Given its central location, The Rosenbaum will serve as a hub where residents, businesses, and tourists intersect, fostering connections and providing a chance to explore and engage with the distinct offerings of Allegany County.The five-story building, built in 1899, was home to the Rosenbaum Brothers Department store. Owned by Jewish-German immigrants, the store employed 200 people at its peak. Even after its closure in 1971, the site left a lasting impression on Cumberland residents. CG Enterprises’ principal team members, Garrett Eagan and Chris Hendershot, remember the building from their childhood in Cumberland. Eagan shares, “My family knows local Cumberland history. Between their stories and seeing the building in paintings of old downtown, Chris and I were aware of the Rosenbaums even though the department store had closed before our time. The building’s facade remains a focal point of Baltimore Street.” - 1/23/2024Economics
Allegany County Economic and Community Development Ascending: A Look Ahead at 2024
Entering 2024, the Allegany County Economic and Community Development Department is set to continue its initiatives aimed at regional growth and progress. This year, residents, business owners, and partners can expect to see critical long-term investments materialize, along with the commencement of various additional projects. A major focus for Allegany County Economic and Community Development is to make the area a more livable community through accessible housing, diverse quality-of-life services, robust business attraction efforts, and ample job and career opportunities.“All parts of the economic and community ecosystem need to improve to move Allegany County forward,” impresses Jeffrey Barclay, Director of Economic and Community Development. “Businesses can thrive here if housing is available for employees. Residents can work if childcare services are accessible. Added amenities in the area make it more enjoyable to live here. We have improvements to make, and all areas of our community are strengthening in 2024.” - 1/16/2024Economics
Waste-to-Value: New Allegany Business Offers Solution to Maryland’s Sewage Waste Problem
In a bid to answer accelerating sewage waste issues and provide support to local agriculture, Nexus W2V, LLC (Nexus W2V), a developer of waste-to-value infrastructure assets, plans to make Allegany County the site of a plant for nutrient- and carbon-rich biochar. The company joins a growing community of circular economy-focused businesses (enterprises dedicated to reusing and recycling materials to reduce waste and conserve resources) in the Cumberland North Branch Industrial Park.Formed two years ago by Nexus Program Management Group, LLC (an investment and consulting company for sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and waste-to-value), Nexus W2V expands the company beyond the boardroom and into a larger, actionable role in sustainability initiatives. Nexus W2V’s Allegany project is a solution to Maryland’s rising sewer sludge waste issue and plans to transform waste into biochar. When applied to farmland, biochar encourages fertile crops, promotes water retention, and improves agricultural sustainability. Until recently, sewer sludge products required little treatment before being processed for farmland soil. The growing presence of contaminants such as pharmaceutical residue, microplastics, per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), and other impurities has forced more stringent “cleaning” procedures to make the material safe for application on farm fields. - 12/22/2023Economics
Pedaling the Great Allegany Passage with Tracks and Yaks
Established in 2021 by Adam Forshee and his wife, Julie, Tracks and Yaks is an outdoor adventure company combining rail biking and kayaking into guided tours along the Western Maryland Railway. Forshee initially conceived a plan to offer kayak rentals. However, upon noticing the proximity of train tracks to numerous rivers, he was inspired to explore the concept of rail biking—a popular activity in Asia and Europe but still relatively new in the U.S.Rail bikes are custom-built, pedal-powered vehicles that glide smoothly along railroad tracks. Designed to accommodate groups of varying sizes, these bikes offer both tandem and quad options. The experience is crafted to be easygoing, allowing guests to soak in the natural surroundings and the rich history of the railroad.“I had been searching for a place to do this, and Allegany County was the first to welcome us,” says Forshee. “We operate in Frostburg and opened a second location earlier this year on the Eastern Shore in Berlin, Maryland.” - 10/30/2023Economics
Compound Management Provider with Cumberland MD Facility, Specs Chemical, Joins Forces with eMolecules, Inc.
In a significant move signaling the evolution and demands of the Life Science industry, California-based eMolecules, Inc. has announced its acquisition of Netherlands-based Specs Compound Handling, B.V., which operates a location in Cumberland, MD. This acquisition is not just a merger of two entities but underscores the shifting dynamics in compound management.Established in 1987, Specs Chemical has emerged as the world's foremost provider of compound management services, supporting industry giants like Merck and Johnson & Johnson. They now specialize in the storage and distribution of specialty chemicals that play a pivotal role in drug discovery. Their transition over the past decade from primarily selling compounds to emphasizing their storage showcases their ability to adapt and align with industry demands. - 10/09/2023Economics
Leading Industry Voices to Convene for the 2023 Tech at the Gap: Decoding Intelligence
Western Maryland’s technological evolution is making waves, driven by a thriving ecosystem of innovation, education, and networking. The forthcoming 2023 Tech at the Gap: Decoding Intelligence conference not only promises to showcase the burgeoning technology sector but also aims to generate heightened interest in Allegany County and the broader Western Maryland region. This year's conference is scheduled for October 19, 2023, at the scenic Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, MD. The conference's theme, "Decoding Intelligence," boasts an impressive roster of keynote speakers and breakout presenters from across the country. Keynote speakers include: - 9/05/2023Economics
Organic Remedies Sees Green Pastures in Allegany County
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.