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.
Chew On This - Jerky
LaVale-based packaged foods company will be able to reach more states
After a long career in manufacturing and packaging, U.S. Army veteran Eric Bowlus transformed his passion for jerky making into Chew On This - Jerky, launched from his Southern California home in 2018. Bowlus and his wife relocated to Allegany County in 2021 to be closer to family, bringing the business with them and tapping into a growing market on the East Coast.
The business gained traction, selling its products online and attending events across Western Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, serving traditional and unique flavors like Smokey Sriracha, Korean-style BBQ, “A Taste of Maryland” Old Bay, and more.
Today, the company supplies products in 140 stores across twelve states and employs a staff of seven. To help grow its already successful businesses, Chew On This - Jerky will use the loan funds to buy a used delivery truck, allowing the company to expand its delivery radius and capacity further.
“Our goal is to get Chew On This - Jerky into 300 stores within a year,” said Bowlus. “We picked up five stores within the last two weeks, so our routes are already growing. The truck will help us make the growth easier for employees, meet new sellers, and get our product into more stores.”
Bowlus learned about the loan program after connecting with Nathan Price and Economic Development Specialist Adam Strott from the Allegany County Economic and Community Development team at a Chamber of Commerce event.
“The growth that Chew On This - Jerky has achieved is remarkable,” said Price. “Eric and his team are hardworking, driven people with a vision and a great product that people love. With this support, we hope they can continue to propel that growth even further and bring national investment back into Allegany County.”
The business also plans to use the remaining funds to hire a veteran to drive the new vehicle, reinforcing its values while uplifting the veteran community. They will also bring on a bookkeeper to help manage the growing revenue streams.
“We picked up five stores within the last two weeks, so our routes are already growing. The truck will help us make the growth easier for employees, meet new sellers, and get our product into more stores.” - Eric Bowlus, Owner, Chew On This - Jerky
Locust Post Brewery
Little Orleans brewery that will now be able to can and sell their product outside of their location
Locust Post Brewery’s scenic views, farmstead-style ambiance, and craft brews have drawn guests to Little Orleans, Maryland, since 2020.
“Over 50% of our customers are from out of town—Pittsburgh, Bedford, D.C., Delaware, New Jersey—all bringing money into the county,” said Co-owner Denise Cornwell. “Many ask to take beers back home to share with friends or to enjoy while camping or hiking.”
The brewery’s glass growlers weren’t ideal for long trips, as they struggled to keep the beer fresh—especially for customers spending extended time at destinations like Deep Creek or Rocky Gap State Park before heading home.
Locust Post Brewery will use the loan to purchase a can seamer, cans, and labeling equipment, allowing them to offer canned beer that stays fresher longer once it leaves the brewery. By canning brews on-site, Locust Post Brewery can provide customers with a more portable, long-lasting product that also acts as a marketing tool.
“We hope this will help us reach a wider community without overextending into full-scale production,” said Cornwell. “Our goal is to bring people here to experience all that Allegany County has to offer.”
The loan will also fund a new dishwashing system and installation of outdoor lighting, enabling visitors to stay and enjoy the atmosphere of Western Maryland longer.
“We probably wouldn’t have pursued traditional financing, so this loan makes it possible to accomplish something that our customers really want, and that will help us to manageably grow,” said Cornwell.
“This loan makes it possible to accomplish something that our customers really want, and that will help us to manageably grow.” Denise Cornwell, Co-owner, Locust Post Brewery
Queen City Scoop Shop
Cumberland packaged ice custard store will sell additional menu items
Queen City Creamery has earned regional recognition for its frozen custards and ice creams, made in Cumberland, Maryland, and at popular venues like Rocky Gap State Park, the Frederick Keys stadium, and Camden Yards.
In March 2023, the business relocated from its shop on W Harrison Street after undergoing organizational changes, opening Queen City Scoop Shop on Baltimore Street. Owner Rhiannon Brown saw the need to diversify the company’s revenue streams and elongate their operating season.
“At our previous location, my mom’s soup recipes were a big hit,” said Brown. “We wanted to bring soups and simple sandwiches to the new shop to give our customers more variety and allow our business to stay open during the colder months by drawing people in for a warm, hearty, inexpensive meal.”
Leveraging its partnership with Rocky Gap State Park, the business will use its commercial kitchen to prepare soups for the Baltimore Street shop. The loan will fund a new team member to manage the expanded menu and support the purchase of a convection oven, commercial microwave, and serving supplies.
“This loan will help us expand just enough to keep the business going and the staff employed through winter,” notes Brown. “Most ice cream shops close in the winter, so this will help us extend our season and keep things steady. Our customers are already excited about the additions.”
Signature chicken noodle soup will anchor the new menu, along with rotating specials like cheeseburger, stuffed pepper, and crab vegetable soups. Brown also sees potential for expanding their soups into wholesale, similar to their ice cream operation.
“Most ice cream shops close in the winter. The loan will help us expand just enough to keep the business going and staff employed through winter.” - Rhiannon Brown, Owner, Cream City Creamery and Queen City Scoops Shop
Price emphasizes, “The Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program is not only fueling individual business success but also contributing to Allegany County’s overall economic vitality by attracting more visitors and investment to the region.” He adds, “We look forward to seeing how these businesses gain momentum with their new additions and hope the program evolves into a renewable fund that continues to support businesses in Allegany County.”
Want to learn more about funding programs through ACECD? Visit the Resources and Incentives page for more information.
