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Move Outside the Predictable

Where innovative businesses, stunning vistas and historic downtowns converge. Where the Appalachian Mountains rise over green valleys, but are still only two hours from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Maybe it's time to make the move outside to Allegany County, Maryland.

Make Allegany County Home

Improve Your Quality of Life

Find an abundance of outdoor recreation, live entertainment and walkable urban cores.

Affordability and livability are the hallmarks of Allegany County, situated in the heart of the Western Maryland Panhandle. Conveniently equidistant between Pittsburgh, Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Allegany County attracts visitors and new residents with its lower cost of living and higher quality of life. Employers are also impressed by our dynamic market and robust workforce options. From craft breweries to live music festivals, from fine dining to a burgeoning food truck scene, Allegany County offers what you would expect from larger markets, all framed by stunning mountain views and the Potomac River. Learn how to make Allegany County home for your family, business expansion, or both.

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Invest Here

Learn more about some of the key industries in Allegany County. Find qualifying incentives and search for available commercial and industrial properties.

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Work Here

Find your next career with our dedicated Job Portal, while learning more about employers and workforce development opportunities in our region.

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Live Here

Discover local neighborhoods and find out about life in Allegany County, including healthcare, education and other community resources.

“We are here for the long haul and we are creating local jobs."

"We are very bullish on everything we see here.”

- Jim Abdo, president and CEO of Abdo Development, based in Washington D.C., on his company's recent multimillion dollar investment in redeveloping property in Cumberland, Maryland.

Latest Economic News and Events

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Meet The Three Allegany County Ventures Approved for the Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program

Due to high loan interest rates, the Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) has launched the Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program to provide local businesses with essential growth capital on more favorable terms, driving business success and investment into the county.

The first of its kind in Allegany County, the Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program offers loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 with interest rates around 3%—roughly half the rate offered by conventional lenders, making growth more attainable for local enterprises. Businesses that meet their annual goals can have up to 50% of their loan forgiven and have a six-month payment deferral, which further accelerates growth. 

On September 5, 2024, during the Allegany County Board of Commissioners Public Meeting, three businesses were approved as the first recipients of the loan program—Locust Post Brewery, Queen City Scoop Shop, and Chew On This - Jerky.

Nathan Price, Senior Project Manager for ACECD, notes, “We chose these first three recipients because of their tremendous potential for success,” said Price. “Each recipient has become a community staple in Allegany County, and this loan program will help them take the next step in enhancing their offerings while driving investment into the county and recognition for artistry in the region.”

Read more about the program’s first three recipients below. 

Local Business
Business Expansion
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Innovative Experts to Gather at Tech at the Gap 2024: Breaking Barriers

Each year, the Tech at the Gap conference welcomes leading innovators to Western Maryland, stimulating the region’s growing tech landscape and adding to Allegany County’s notoriety as an evolving hub of industry expertise. Tech at the Gap 2024: Breaking Barriers will take this legacy further, exploring how advanced technology can revolutionize communities and fuel positive change. Hosted by the Western MD IT Center of Excellence at Allegany College of Maryland, this year’s conference takes place on October 16, 2024, at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland. 

“This year’s theme, ‘Breaking Barriers,’ was chosen to highlight how technology can empower communities to use tech to overcome challenges and foster a brighter future,” said Autumn Becker, Executive Director of the Western MD IT Center of Excellence at Allegany College of Maryland. “We hope the keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking experiences will inspire our attendees to think broadly about how innovation can address various challenges—from reducing socioeconomic disparities and promoting inclusivity in tech to solving business problems.”

Tech at the Gap 2024 brings together a diverse lineup of keynote speakers, each with firsthand experience in leveraging creative ideas and digital solutions as a powerful catalyst for breaking barriers and driving meaningful change.

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ACM Brewing Certification Supports Growing Craft Beer Industry in Allegany County

Inspired by the growing popularity of craft beverage businesses in Western Maryland, the Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts has launched a special Brewing Operations Certification Program to equip students with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to succeed in the evolving handcrafted beverage industry. 

Debra Swope, a longtime faculty member for ACM’s hospitality, baking, and nutrition programs, became Program Director for the Brewing Operations Certification Program in 2022. Leveraging her culinary expertise and educational background, Swope helped shape the program and continues to engage students to take advantage of the offering.

“Craft brewing has become really popular,” shared Swope. “Within the past five years, we’ve started incorporating more craft brewing pairings in our student-run restaurant, Culinaire Café. The students and public have shown a real interest in brewing.” 

“Many people interested in this field are enthusiasts, many of whom have full-time careers or majors,” shares Swope. “To make the certification more accessible, we designed the program to be attainable to full-time students and workers, hobbyists, future entrepreneurs, and those looking to change careers.”

Workforce Development

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Search for jobs in Allegany County with our Job Board. Local employers can submit open positions in just a few clicks, no account is required.

Browse Available Jobs

Site Selector Portal

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Use our Site Selector Portal to browse available commercial and industrial buildings and acreage and plan your expansion. Property owners can also submit available properties directly to the portal.

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Get to Know Allegany County Economic and Community Development

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Learn about who we are, what we do and review our privacy policy (we don't track cookies or save personal data). Browse our project portfolio and read our bios and find our individual email address. You can also fill out a contact form and someone will contact you and answer your questions.