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.

Tech at the Gap will return for its ninth year this fall, bringing industry professionals, students, and entrepreneurs from across the Mid-Atlantic to explore the future of technology in Western Maryland. Hosted by the Western Maryland I.T. Center of Excellence, Tech at the Gap 2025: Pioneering Possibility will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Flintstone, Maryland.What began as a small-scale event of around 100 participants has more than doubled in size, evolving into a top-tier regional showcase for innovation and technology. “It's hard to believe that we’ve been holding this conference for nine years,” said Autumn Becker, Executive Director of the Western Maryland I.T. Center of Excellence. “It's incredibly rewarding to see how we've grown and how we've fostered some great relationships. Some of which include our sponsors, Allegany County Economic and Community Development, TEDCO, and the Maryland Tech Council, which have been supporting us since the very beginning.”Beyond its growth in attendance, Tech at the Gap has expanded in scope. Originally focused on highlighting tech trends in IT, the conference has evolved into a platform that elevates the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem of Western Maryland. “We've been able to highlight what's happening in the IT, tech, cyber, and AI industries,” said Becker. “But, we've found our niche in being able to highlight what's really happening in Western Maryland and what's unique to our region that makes us stand out.”This year’s theme, Pioneering Possibility, emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurial thinking as a catalyst for innovation. The idea is simple: whether it’s applied within emerging tech startups or established organizations, adopting the entrepreneurial mindset empowers individuals to drive change, develop new solutions, and lead with agility in an evolving digital landscape.“All of our keynote and breakout presenters are entrepreneurs in their own right,” noted Becker. “Or they've embraced that entrepreneurial spirit within the organization they work for—taking new, cutting-edge technology, a lot of times related to AI, and implementing it into their workplace. They're developing new products and new processes within their organization and really being key players in that realm.”The same spirit extends to the next generation of innovators as well. While not designed specifically as a student conference, the event draws emerging talent and fresh ideas and offers a launching point for those looking to innovate, build, and contribute to the region’s growing tech economy.Each year, Tech at the Gap features expert voices across cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and innovation. From seasoned executives to creative technologists, the conference offers insights that resonate with both creative technologists and emerging leaders. Here’s a preview of the dynamic keynote speakers who will lead this year’s conversations:

What began as a hobby in the kitchen has transformed into a multi-faceted business and a growing downtown presence for Cumberland native Micheal Harris. Harris is the owner of Pepper on a Plate, a gourmet hot sauce company that found its roots in handcrafted gifts for friends. After years of developing recipes and refining flavors, Harris officially launched the brand in Cumberland, Maryland, and later expanded into a full-service eatery known as Sabroso Tacos. “I was doing hot sauces—gourmet, small-batch hot sauces—and one day we had an outdoor special and I did tacos,” Harris noted. “Someone said, ‘What a good combination.’”