The ability to effectively tell your story is no longer optional. Strategic marketing is fundamental to business development, workforce recruitment, tourism, and long-term economic stability. Yet for many organizations in Western Maryland, the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to compete have remained out of reach, until now.Recognizing this gap, Frostburg State University launched the 3 State Community Media Center with funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). The investment was designed with a clear purpose: strengthen economic growth in Western Maryland by expanding access to the skills and infrastructure organizations need to compete.

Allegany County continues to invest in long-term economic growth by strengthening the systems that support entrepreneurs at every stage. Administered locally by Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD), in partnership with the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), a new Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program is launching to expand entrepreneurial opportunities, align existing business support resources, and help retain talent in Western Maryland.

Western Maryland Works (WMW) at Allegany College of Maryland is helping local residents build in-demand skills, prototype products, and pursue new career pathways through a facility designed to strengthen the region’s workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystem. This kind of on-the-ground work is an economic development asset for the region. It expands access to training and tools that help Allegany County residents build skills and help small businesses grow.Operating through Allegany College of Maryland, WMW brings together training, equipment access, and technical support. This resource was created to address regional workforce needs (particularly in the trades), while also supporting residents who want to prototype products and grow a local business.

For the Allegany County Economic & Community Development (ACECD) team, 2025 was about strengthening community fundamentals—including housing, infrastructure, businesses, and destinations—while continuing to connect the dots between economic development, tourism, and residents.Jeffery Barclay, ACECD Director, says, “We’re building the foundation of Allegany County.” In 2025, that foundation looked a lot like patient, behind-the-scenes progress that makes big “wins” possible, even if they aren’t fully finished yet.

Allegany County, the Mountain Side of Maryland, celebrates this holiday season with its Shop Small, Win Big campaign, running through December 21, 2025. The festive promotion invites residents to explore independently owned local businesses and enter to win part of $1,000 in cash prizes.Businesses across the county feature creative gifts and experiences that make holiday shopping delightful and meaningful. Explore the tinsel-adorned offerings at featured businesses below, and submit your receipts here to enter the raffle and see how far $50 stretches downtown, whether you seek unique presents or memorable local experiences. Ideas include:

When construction crews broke ground on a new LongHorn Steakhouse at the entrance to Country Club Mall in LaVale, many residents saw a new place to dine. For Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD), the moment the shovel hit soil was the culmination of years of strategic work to build a more appealing, competitive, and economically vibrant community.

When USA Today released its 2025 list of the “10 Best Places to Visit in the Fall,” Allegany County, Maryland, once again earned national attention, joining the ranks of other well-known destinations like Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Saratoga County, New York. This marks the third consecutive year the county has earned a spot in the top 10, climbing to #5 on the list.

Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County–Together, Inc. (REACT), a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, is expanding access to STEM education, reaching hundreds of local students each year. What began as a simple idea to make robotics participation possible for youth has grown into a county-wide movement that blends hands-on learning, teamwork, and real-world pathways.

Frostburg entrepreneur Ardon Hall is introducing a new solution to food waste and sustainability. His company, Clean Compost, converts organic waste from landfills into microbially diverse, nutrient-rich soil amendment. By blending this compost with different types of topsoil, the company helps farms restore biodiversity, businesses meet sustainability goals, and communities reduce landfill use. 

A familiar name in Allegany County’s entrepreneurial landscape is back with a fresh idea—and this time, it’s frozen. Todd Helmick, founder and former owner of well-known Western Maryland Lemonade, has returned to his roots with Mountain Maryland Foods, a new food venture that’s quickly gaining traction at local farmers' markets and beyond.