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.
- 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.” - 4/14/2023Housing
Completed McMullen Building Redevelopment Offers New Living Options in Downtown Cumberland
After months of intensive rehabilitation, The McMullen Building, Baltimore Street's iconic anchor building, is opening its doors to new, upper story residents. Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ECD) caught up with CG Enterprises principals Chris Hendershot (CH) and Garrett Eagan (GE), the group behind the historic renovation, to learn more about the project's final months and plans to come. The below interview was edited for clarity and brevity. If you haven't already, take a moment to read our previous interview with the group and see some of the work in progress.Photos courtesy of Lorie Rummer Photography. - 11/07/2022Housing
McMullen Building Renovation Underway
The McMullen Building, a well known anchor structure on the corner of Baltimore Street and N. George Street, is undergoing a major renovation and will soon be home to 14 luxury apartments and additional commercial frontage. The former department store building is being redeveloped by the building's owner, CG Enterprises, and was awarded $250,000 from the Allegany County Commissioners as a winner of the Invest Allegany grant program.Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ECD) had a chance to walk the site with partners Chris Hendershot, Garrett Eagan and Zach Hattenfield last September to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with redeveloping a legacy building into modern and desirable housing. During that interview, the team generously allowed us to photograph the construction of the building. The images below represent early, in-progress renovation of this historic building.This is the first part of an ongoing series profiling Invest Allegany grant award winners and the adaptive reuse projects that are revitalizing the County's architectural landscape. The below interview has been edited for content and clarity. Photos courtesy of Janelle Mulétz Photography.