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.
- 6/06/2024Housing
Cumberland Department of Community Development to Bring Over Twenty New Housing Units
A strategic initiative is underway in Cumberland to accelerate blight removal and transform underutilized spaces into market-rate housing. Through the Infill Development Incentive Program, jointly established by the City of Cumberland and Allegany County, the City is poised to welcome over twenty much-needed housing units.“For decades, the declining population has led to a lot of unlivable, blighted properties in Cumberland,” shares Ken Tressler, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Cumberland. The City implemented a Nuisance Property Removal Program in 2014, which was renamed the Neighborhood Revitalization Program in July 2021. Since the program's initiation, the City has acquired over one hundred unlivable properties through tax foreclosure, donations, or acquisition. - 5/21/2024Economics
Geocycle’s New Allegany County Pre-Processing Plant Transforms Waste into Resources
Geocycle officially opened its pre-processing facility in Cumberland on May 16, 2024, marking the company’s 197th location worldwide. The new facility will convert unusable waste products into viable fuels, creating local jobs and providing an environmentally sound waste removal option for local and regional manufacturing businesses.“Geocycle’s investment in Allegany County is a big deal,” shares Jeffrey Barclay, director of Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD). “They are a multi-billion dollar company with a global presence. Not only does Geocycle bring jobs and living wages to our community, but their status as a key industry player brings attention to Allegany County’s growing notoriety in the circular economy.” - 3/19/2024Community
Runners’ Wings Moves Fitness and Community Forward
Committed to creating meaningful impact, Runners’ Wings has become a champion for fitness, inclusivity, and community spirit in greater Western Maryland. The downtown Frostburg store, owned by Laura Byrnes, offers a range of athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories for patrons with all mobility and fitness levels.Driven by her personal passion for running, Byrnes shared her enthusiasm for the sport with her daughters, Maddie and Molly Offstein. In 2023, she opened Runners’ Wings as a way for her daughter, Molly, to reconnect with the running community after a near-fatal accident left her unable to pursue the sport further. The store's ethos is deeply rooted in Molly's resilience and the family’s love of the sport. - 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. - 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. - 6/28/2023Economics
Organic Remedies is Operational in Cumberland
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. - 6/07/2023Economics
Engineer’s Idea Grows in Allegany County
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.