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Garrett County
Business Development
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Starting, Relocating,
Growing
RESOURCES FOR GARRETT COUNTY
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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Applications Remain Open: FY 2026 Small Business Marketing Grant
Applications for Garrett County's FY 2026 Small Business Marketing Grant Program are are still being accepted. This year's program includes new restrictions on eligible purchases, as well as a firm deadline for submitting receipts and proofs of payment. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, contingent upon the availability of funds. Prior recipients of the FY 2025 Small Business Marketing Grant are not eligible to apply in FY 2026. Learn more and access the application.
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Applications Remain Open: FY 2026 Agriculture Marketing Grant
Applications for Garrett County's FY 2026 Agriculture Marketing Grant Program are still being accepted. This year's program includes new restrictions on eligible purchases, as well as a firm deadline for submitting receipts and proofs of payment. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, contingent upon the availability of funds. Prior recipients of the FY 2025 Agriculture Marketing Grant are not eligible to apply in FY 2026. Learn more and access the application.
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Applications Open: Maryland MADE Grant Program
Applications are currently being accepted for the Maryland MADE grant program. The program provides grants to small Maryland manufacturers to invest in the adoption and deployment of smart manufacturing and high-performance manufacturing technologies that will increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enable lasting improvements. Learn more.
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Beitzel Corporation/Pillar Innovations Now 100% Employee-Owned
Beitzel Corporation and its subsidiaries, Pillar Innovations and Beitzel Corporate, are officially employee-owned. Through a new ESOP, the team is being rewarded with a stake in the company’s future under the new vision: “Take Ownership.” This milestone reflects a shared commitment to preserving company culture, strengthening long-term stability, and rewarding the people who power the organizations’ success every day. Read more.
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Garrett County Arts Council Purchases Historic Sincell Building
The Garrett County Arts Council (GCAC) has announced the purchase of the historic 108 S. 2nd Street property with the Front Page Stage and adjacent parking lot from the Sincell Publishing Company. A spokesperson noted that this acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Arts Council’s long-term commitment to arts access, cultural preservation, and community development in Garrett County. Constructed more than 130 years ago, the building has long played a creative role in downtown Oakland. Once home to the steady rhythm of printing presses, the space later evolved into a center for visual art, workshops, and public programming. Read more.
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Garrett College, TEDCO Partner on Economic Development
Garrett College’s Business Solutions Department and Maryland’s Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) are collaborating on an Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) program within the College’s Garrett Information Enterprise Center (GIEC) in support of TEDCO’s mission of economic development in Western Maryland. Funded through a TEDCO grant, the initiative is expected to increase access to mentorship, innovation programming, and capital connections for Garrett County entrepreneurs, with a focus on strengthening engagement with technology-based ventures and scalable startups. Learn more.
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DNR Announces Shoreline Erosion Control Cost-Share Grant Information
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the availability of shoreline erosion control cost-share grant funds through the Maryland Park Service Deep Creek Lake Management Office. This program provides financial assistance for eligible shoreline erosion control projects located on Buffer Strip Use Permit sites. Learn more and access the application.
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Savage Highlands State Park Opening Expected in Late 2026
Maryland is gearing up to unveil its latest addition to the state's gorgeous public park system -Savage Highlands State Park. Sitting in the mountainous terrain of Garrett County, the park spans 40 acres, is surrounded by approximately 700 acres of the adjacent Savage River State Forest and Mount Aetna Tract, and offers ample opportunities for outdoor adventure. Currently, Savage Highlands State Park remains closed to the public as management looks to finish upgrading and improving the existing structures. Officials are hoping to welcome the public by late August 2026, but exact dates depend on progress. Read more.
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March 3rd: Virtual Public Hearing for Proposed Solar Facilities in Garrett County
Local residents and other interested members of the public are invited to comment on a proposal by Bloomington Hill 1, LLC and Bloomington Hill 2, LLC to construct two solar generating facilities totaling 9.9 MW in Garrett County. The virtual hearing will take place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The projects are intended to be part of Maryland’s community solar program and will generate credits to be allocated to community solar subscribers within Potomac Edison’s service territory.In addition to taking comments from the public, the hearing will include a presentation by the applicant, brief statements by the parties, including the Power Plant Research Program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Commission’s Technical Staff, as to their respective roles in the case. Learn more.
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March 10th: MRI Virtual Meeting for Manufacturers
The Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) will host "Making Maryland Manufacturing a Priority - Part II," a free virtual meeting on March 10th from 9-10:30 AM for Maryland manufacturers and program sponsors only. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the future of Maryland manufacturing and introduce Maryland manufacturers to a host of resources to help their businesses grow and prosper. Learn more and register.
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April 14th: Annual Garrett County Job Fair
The annual Garrett County Job Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 1-5 PM at the Garrett College CARC, 695 Mosser Road, McHenry, Maryland. Please note the change in venue from last year. A partnership between Garrett College, 104.5 KHJ, 92.3 The Train & 1050 AM WMSG, the Western Maryland Consortium, and the Garrett County Department of Business Development, the job fair is designed to connect employers with job seekers.
Employers can register to attend at https://performingartscenteratgarrettc.regfox.com/gcjobfair and may set up at the job fair as early as 12 PM on the day of the fair. Registration includes display space, inclusion in pre-fair advertising, and refreshments. Learn more.
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April 15th: MD Manufacturing Workforce Summit
The Maryland MEP Manufacturing Workforce Summit 2026 is a high-impact, in-person event designed for manufacturing leaders who are ready to tackle workforce challenges head-on. This half-day summit brings together industry peers, experts, and solution providers to explore what’s next for manufacturing talent in Maryland. Participants will gain practical insights and real-world perspectives on how manufacturers are adapting to a rapidly evolving workforce landscape—today and in the years ahead. Learn more and register.
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April 28th: MEP Recipe to Reality Seminar
Maryland MEP, in partnership with the Nebraska Food Production Center, brings the nationally recognized Recipe to Reality™ seminar to Maryland manufacturers. This one-day, instructor-led workshop walks through the essential business, regulatory, safety, and production questions every food entrepreneur should answer before investing in commercialization. The format is practical and interactive so you can apply lessons directly to your product concept. Advance registration is required. Cost: $75. Learn more.
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Save the Date: TEDCO's Entrepreneur Expo 2026
TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo 2026 will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 8 AM to 7 PM at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore. The Expo brings together all of Maryland’s various entrepreneurial resources across industries—it is the place to see all that the State has to offer. The Expo brings more than 1,000 people under one roof for a full day packed with workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibitors, and pitches. Learn more and register.
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New Platform to Support Child Care and Fresh Food Businesses
The Maryland Community Business Compass is a new platform that helps entrepreneurs navigate opportunities to start and run child care, fresh food, and other essential businesses. By providing data-driven insights and resource access, the Compass empowers Marylanders to build thriving businesses that create lasting community impact. With the Compass, entrepreneurs can (1) explore an interactive map to identify market opportunities, (2) find relevant state and local funding opportunities, and (3) connect to small business supports and other resources. Learn more.
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"Open Learning" Learning Library With the SBDC
Are you interested in opening a business and making sure you are on the right track? Access three online, on-demand trainings that will get you started:
*Ready, Set, Go! Are You Ready To Start A Business
*Developing A Business Plan
*Smart Start Your Business
Learn more.
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Statewide Call for America's 250th Events & Activities
Is your business or organization planning events, tours, or activities to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary? The Maryland Office of Tourism invites you to share your plans so they can help promote your efforts on their America’s 250th in Maryland landing page on VisitMaryland.org and on their other communication channels. Learn more.
| | View additional available commercial properties in Garrett County: https://shorturl.at/ZVeRE | | | | |
