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. 

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 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

The project known as the River Park at Canal Place Trails and Trail Connections has been earmarked for $6 million through direct federal funding. The omnibus spending appropriations bill that funds the federal government for the next nine months was signed into law on December 30 and includes funding for over $35 million for projects across Western Maryland, which represents a large portion of the $200 million secured for the State of Maryland at large."I view the River Park at Canal Place project as another way to promote Allegany County's diverse outdoor recreational economy" said Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority Executive Director Deidra "Dee Dee" Ritchie. "The park will help foster community revitalization, enhance water quality, create jobs, support economic growth and diversification and offer new opportunities for people to connect with the natural environment."Ritchie also recognized the role that federal legislators representing the region played. She states "I cannot thank our Federal, District 6 Legislators (Senators Cardin and Van Hollen, and Congressman Trone) enough for securing this money for our area. The initial river park discussions began over 20 years ago. And now here we are."