Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is continuing to invest in the future of Barton Business Park, preparing additional industrial acreage for new development and long-term job growth.Located in Cumberland near key transit routes and major regional employers, Barton Business Park is one of Allegany County’s most strategically positioned industrial sites. The park is approximately six miles south of Interstate 68, with access to U.S. Route 220 and close to the West Virginia border. The site is also situated near established industrial anchors, including Northrop Grumman and IBM.The park is currently home to American Woodmark, one of Allegany County’s largest employers and one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of kitchen and bath cabinetry. More recently, Geocycle began operating in the County-owned spec building at the site, converting unusable industrial waste products into viable fuels using co-processing technologies.Allegany County is now advancing the next phase of development, focused on approximately 45 acres within the park. The County is preparing multiple parcels for future industrial use, with completion anticipated later in 2026. By completing key site work in advance, Allegany County is reducing development timelines and minimizing uncertainty for prospective companies.

When business owners invest locally, they create jobs, strengthen downtowns, and help sustain the services and amenities that support residents and visitors alike. Chelsea Boyle, OTR/L, RAC-CT, has spent more than two decades making that kind of impact in Allegany County and beyond. Her career spans healthcare management, consulting, and small business ownership, with ventures that range from multi-state healthcare operations to locally owned businesses in downtown Cumberland. In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is highlighting Boyle’s work as a business leader whose investments continue to support the region’s economy and community life.

For more than three decades, Sand Springs Saloon & Steakhouse has been a gathering place in Frostburg—a restaurant where meals come with familiar faces, family stories, and a deep connection to community. In honor of Women’s History Month, Allegany County Economic and Community Development (ACECD) is spotlighting the women behind that legacy: owner Jo Eisel and her daughter, Jacy Eisel, who are working together to guide the business into its next chapter.Established in 1994, Sand Springs was purchased from what had been Ruffos Tavern and gradually evolved from a small bar into the full-service steakhouse and community destination it is today. The restaurant remains family-owned and operated, with hospitality, consistency, and customer relationships at the center of its identity.For Jo, the early years of Sand Springs were defined by determination and adaptability. What began as a modest business opportunity quickly grew into something much larger, shaped by customer demand and the support of the Frostburg community. Over time, simple additions to the menu helped transform the bar into a restaurant, and then into the longstanding local favorite many residents know today.“I have customers that were coming in 32 years ago that still come in today,” Jo said. “A lot of people know me, I know a lot of people, and I had a lot of support from our customers. I still do.”That steady local support has helped Sand Springs build something increasingly rare in today’s restaurant industry: longevity rooted in relationships. From the beginning, Eisel’s relatives supported the business’s operations: 

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.