Kelley Hired as Director of Planning and Community Development

Garrett County Government is pleased to announce that Steve Kelley has accepted the position of Director of Planning and Community Development. This newly created position joins the administration and implementation of Economic Development, Planning, Land Development/Management, and Permits/Inspections functions. A rural Kentucky native, Kelley has a background in operations and management and was most recently responsible for a staff of 150 employees and a budget of over $43 million. Kelley earned national recognition for his role in revamping the structure and goals of the Somerset Pulaski Economic Development Authority. Read more.

Applications Now Open for Nonprofit Accelerator Cohort Programs

Maryland Nonprofits invites organizations interested in strengthening their capacity to grow and scale up their impact to apply to participate in the Nonprofit Accelerator Cohort Programs. One application covers two opportunities and both programs below are free of charge. Application Deadline: January 18, 2023. Learn more.

Applications Now Open for George C. Edwards Fund for Western Maryland

The Tri-County Council for Western Maryland recently announced that applications are now open for the Senator George C. Edwards Fund for Western Maryland. The fund, overseen by the 11-member Western Maryland Economic Future Investment Board and administered by the Tri-County Council, will provide loan and grant assistance to Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties for economic development projects. Interested applicants are required to submit a Notice of Intent prior to submitting an application. Application Deadline: January 31, 2023. Learn more.

CurlyRed Among Project Restore Award Recipients

CurlyRed, Inc., a Garrett County business located in downtown Oakland, received funding through Project Restore, an economic recovery initiative launched last year by Governor Larry Hogan to provide financial incentives for small businesses to revitalize vacant retail and commercial spaces throughout Maryland. Read more.

Governor Hogan Announces Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund Awards

Four Garrett County economic development projects are among the 114 projects that received funding through the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund. The fund was created earlier this year to boost economic development activity, stimulate private sector investment, and create jobs in the state's rural regions. Learn more.

Maryland's Jobs That Build Employer Fund Accepting Applications

Maryland's Jobs that Build Employer Fund provides an opportunity for employers impacted by COVID-19 to pursue innovative solutions to their most pressing workforce challenges. The Fund intends to encourage better recruitment, more innovative training opportunities, and enduring employee retention by offering financial assistance to employers who want to support and incentivize their employees meaningfully. The Fund prioritizes two initiatives employers can consider implementing in their workplace: Employee Support Programs and Payroll Incentives. Business applicants seeking grant funding must propose a program that includes elements of one or both of these initiatives. Learn more.

Maryland's Telework Assistance Program for Small Business Accepting Applications

The Maryland Department of Commerce has launched a new program to assist small businesses with retaining and creating jobs across the state. Funded with $1 million from Governor Larry Hogan’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, the Business Telework Assistance Grant Program will provide grants of up to $25,000 to help businesses expand telework capabilities for their employees. These grants will help applicants purchase the equipment necessary to develop and implement telework policies, including hardware, software, and technical services. Learn more.

Garrett County Agriculture Marketing Grant Program Still Accepting Applications

Applications are still being accepted for our FY 2023 Agriculture Marketing Grant Program, a program designed to aid in the promotion of agriculture-based businesses in Garrett County. Any farm, farm business, farm-related business, or farm-related organization or association based in Garrett County is eligible to apply. This is a reimbursement grant. Expenses must be incurred after application submission. Funds are limited. Learn more.

Garrett County Small Business Marketing Grant Program Still Accepting Applications

Applications are still being accepted for our FY 2023 Small Business Marketing Grant Program, a program designed to aid in the promotion of small, non-agriculture businesses based in Garrett County. For-profit, non-agriculture businesses with 25 or fewer employees and with a physical location in Garrett County are eligible to apply. This is a reimbursement grant. Expenses must be incurred after application submission. Funds are limited. Learn more.

Available Commercial Space in Garrett County

Keysers Ridge Business Park

More information: https://bit.ly/3jkKzF0

Additional Resources:

• Maryland Business Express
• Maryland's Business Relief Wizard
• Upcoming Conferences and Events
• More News