Allegany County is on the rise. With growth and innovation at the forefront, Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is blending economic development, tourism, and quality-of-life improvements into a bold vision for the future.
“Maryland is a highly innovative state,” said Jeffery Barclay, ACECD Director. “To keep Allegany County competitive, we’ve made significant investments in recent years to capitalize on our unique strengths…residents are starting to see these efforts pay off, generating an enthusiasm we haven’t seen in some time. We plan to continue that momentum by prioritizing forward-thinking projects in the new year.”
This future-forward approach underscores the importance of ACECD’s upcoming strategic plan, which will establish broad economic development goals for years to come.
Business Community and Workforce
A vibrant lifestyle beyond the nine-to-five is a key factor attracting new businesses to Allegany County. With significant business growth on the horizon, 2025 will bring new opportunities to the region.
“It is safe to say that our local business pipeline has made significant strides in 2024, and we’re excited for the future,” said ACECD Senior Project Manager Nathan Price. “Several companies are expanding their operations, and new opportunity sites are also coming online. Many businesses are finalizing build-outs to open their doors this coming year, and residents can look forward to a new chain restaurant joining the community.”
To offer build-ready opportunities that attract incoming businesses, ACECD is developing three pad-ready sites for the Barton Business Park: one 100,000-square-foot and two 150,000-square-foot sites.
“It is safe to say that our local business pipeline has made significant strides in 2024, and we’re excited for the future." - Nathan Price, ACECD Senior Project Manager Nathan Price.
Meanwhile, the Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program remains an important resource for local businesses looking to grow in Allegany County. Three businesses—Chew On This, Locust Post Brewery, and Queen City Scoop Shop—expanded their operations in 2024, thanks to the program, and funds are still available for additional candidates in 2025.
The CleanTech Grant is also helping Allegany County grow its environmentally minded innovation sector. Aquatic Circle, the first grant recipient, is currently developing its water filtration prototype with funding support and received an additional $100,000 in direct project funding through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships program. ACECD is identifying additional candidates to expand the county’s vital environmental innovation sector further.
ACECD also continues to support incoming Kingspan Roofing + Waterproofing with project management of the rail activation near its new headquarters at the former Hunter Douglas building. The global building materials manufacturer plans to retrofit the headquarters with its equipment simultaneously to spur development to meet their projected 2026 opening.
Nexus W2V, LLC, a waste-to-value manufacturer, is set to launch its facility at Cumberland’s North Branch Industrial Park in the spring of 2025. Meanwhile, Burgmeier’s Hauling Inc., a regional leader in waste management services based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is nearing completion of a new waste transfer station at the same industrial park expected to open later in the year. Adding to Allegany County’s growing circular economy, Clym Environmental is finalizing site updates and plans to begin operations in 2025. The company was awarded $1 million from the TEDCO Equitech Growth Fund for its Frostburg project, further strengthening the region’s focus on sustainable industries and adding valuable job opportunities.
“Several companies are expanding their operations, and new opportunity sites are also coming online [in 2025]. Many businesses are finalizing build-outs to open their doors this coming year, and residents can look forward to a new chain restaurant joining the community.” - Nathan Price, Senior Project Manager Nathan Price.
“With the influx of STEM-focused and manufacturing companies, there’s a growing need for workforce upskilling,” said Adam Strott, ACECD Economic Development Specialist. “Programs at Allegany College of Maryland, the Western Maryland Consortium Workforce Alliance, and Allegany County Public Schools are essential in keeping our area competitive. ACECD remains committed to connecting these partners with businesses to align efforts, sustain a skilled workforce, and ensure new opportunities benefit our community.”
Housing
In 2025, Allegany County will continue to address the need for affordable market-rate options with plans to develop a mix of new townhomes and single-family residences.
“This project could be some of the most affordable new construction in the country,” said Strott. “We’re looking to release additional details soon.”
Continued downtown revitalization efforts will also introduce new housing options. The Diamond Building in Frostburg was awarded $380,687 in tax credits from the Maryland Historical Trust to improve the building and bring seventeen new units online. The Rosenbaum in Cumberland will finish construction this year on thirteen long-term apartments and twelve short-term rentals. Direct investment from the Invest Allegany capital improvement program has yielded dozens of new, downtown, market-rate apartments this year alone.
Tourism Initiatives
Mountain Maryland continues to strengthen its position as a tourist destination and hub for economic activity by combining new short-term lodging opportunities with expanded recreational amenities. Allegany County Tourism, the county’s official Destination Marketing Organization, supports initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and attract visitors to the area.
The new Wills Hotel—a 13,418-square-foot, twenty-room boutique hotel on Cumberland’s newly redeveloped Baltimore Street—is set to open in the summer of 2025, bringing new life to the historic McCleave Building. The project is supported by a $250,000 contribution from the ACECD and additional funds from the Senator George C. Edwards Fund and the City of Cumberland.
Lodging upgrades are just the beginning—enhancing outdoor recreation and improving accessibility are also top priorities for Allegany County’s 2025 tourism strategy.
With the potential to generate $47 million in additional tourism tax revenue and attract one million visitors annually, "water-based tourism" is poised to become a cornerstone of the county’s outdoor economy, according to an economic impact study conducted by the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority.
The River Park at Canal Place, funded through local, state, and federal grants, will move forward this year to conduct necessary sediment testing and release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the final engineering and design of the land-based components of the park—setting off critical building phases of the project.
The Willowbrook Outdoor Wellness (WOW) project will also connect residents and visitors to Allegany County’s renowned recreational assets. Phase One, completed in 2024, introduced a two-mile trail and outdoor exercise equipment. Phase Two, launching in 2025, will add football and soccer fields, further enhancing the site’s utility and community value.
“The growing sense of excitement is palpable as people start seeing the tangible results of various outdoor recreation initiatives,” said Ashli Workman, Director of Allegany County Tourism. “Our department is focused on making strategic investments that maximize our resources and continue to elevate the mountain side of Maryland as a premier destination.”
To further diversify Allegany County’s outdoor offerings, the Allegany County Government entered into a phased memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Western Maryland Climbing Coalition with the goal of exploring sustainable climbing developments on county-owned lands. This collaboration aims to create new opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts while ensuring responsible development practices.
“The growing sense of excitement is palpable as people start seeing the tangible results of various outdoor recreation initiatives. Our department is focused on making strategic investments that maximize our resources and continue to elevate the mountain side of Maryland as a premier destination.” - Ashli Workman, Director of Allegany County Tourism.
Driving Progress in 2025
Strott adds, “Allegany County is focused on carving out our own niche and has a real opportunity to position itself as a sustainability hub for the state and the broader region. While 2025 brings excitement and promise for Allegany County, we recognize that the year will also bring some budget and resource challenges.”
He continues, “Despite these challenges, ACECD is adaptable, and our perseverance sets us apart. Businesses consistently tell us that Allegany County is a great place to work with, and we remain committed to finding innovative ways to support our community and drive progress, even when the road isn’t easy.”
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