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Chamber Receives $30,000 Grant For Heritage Area Proj.

Jun. 28, 2012

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski (both D-Md.) on Tuesday announced the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) approval of a $30,000 grant to the Garrett Country Chamber of Commerce to develop the Strategic Initiative Program to increase tourism and create new jobs in heritage tourism.

Garrett County recently was authorized as a state Certified Heritage Area titled the Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area. The Strategic Initiative Program will identify ways to promote Garrett County’s unique identity. This grant is the next major step in enhancing tourism, creating jobs, and promoting sustainability, according to the senators.


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The program will include establishment of a Heritage Area web site and use of other social media tools, purchasing and installing four kiosks, hiring a consultant to research and compile the history of Garrett County, including interpretive signage, and the creation of multimedia materials.

“This is exactly the kind of grant I like to see,” Cardin said. “It creates jobs, and it will make it possible for more people to come to Garrett County and enjoy all the history, nature and culture that this county and the state have to offer. We are faced with a unique opportunity here both to bolster existing tourist attractions and to showcase this beautiful part of our state.”

More here.

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ARC Awards $250K Grant To Meadow Mountain Trail Proj.

Jun. 7, 2012

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $250,000 grant to Garrett County for construction of the Meadow Mountain Trail (MMT), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski announced last Thursday. The 10-mile, multi-user trail will build on the county’s efforts to expand its outdoor recreation industry, and is projected to have an economic impact of more than $3 million.

“Garrett County’s scenic treasures are also economic treasures, drawing thousands of tourists to Maryland each year to enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” said Cardin, trails/”greenways” advocate and member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The Meadow Mountain Trail will further tourism and small business growth in Garrett County, creating new jobs and new economic opportunities for western Maryland.”


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ARC funds will be used by Garrett Trails, a nonprofit organization, to complete the MMT trail design, construct the trail, and improve two trailhead parking areas. The MMT is a key segment of the larger Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, which will be a 150-mile recreational trail winding through the heart of Garrett County.

The MMT segment will begin near Grantsville and the Casselman River Bridge and end near Route 495 at the University of Maryland’s 4-H center.

The trail will traverse through public lands and will be accessible to outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, biking, backpacking, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and educational study. Job creation and financial impact stem from hikers and bikers stopping for meals and purchasing gear at the many small businesses located near the trail, and staying the night in a nearby trail town.

“This grant is about supporting jobs in western Maryland,” Mikulski said. “It is a smart investment that will help grow Garrett County’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, jobs, and economic development to the region.”

More here.

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Commissioners Approve Economic Development's ARC Grant Requests

Jun. 7, 2012

The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday approved the Department of Economic Development’s request list for Appalachian Regional Commission funding in Fiscal Year 2013. The list will be forwarded to the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland for its review and approval, before being submitted to federal legislators.

Garrett County has received as much as $500,000 in ARC funding in past years. Grants for area development projects require a 50 percent match from state, local, and/or private sources. Local access road project grants require a 20 percent contribution from the various sources.


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Economic Development director Jim Hinebaugh noted that ARC funding may be limited in FY ’13; therefore, he and his staff have listed the proposed projects according to priority.

Topping the county’s request list of development projects is the “Asset Based Infrastructure Improvements at Adventure Sports Center International.” Economic Development is requesting $250,000 from ARC, as well as $350,000 in state/private contributions.

The funds would be used to support the Deep Creek 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships at ASCI. Telecommunications upgrades, amphitheater seating, stairs, and a pavilion would be constructed. Hinebaugh noted that the International Canoe Federation suggested that the improvements be made for the championships.

Second on the list is the “Last Mile Wireless Network” project. The county is requesting $250,000 from ARC and plans to contribute another $250,000 toward the initiative.

The county would design, install, and operate a wireless network to deliver broadband Internet service to as many as 5,000 residences not currently served by any provider. The system would use the newly released “TV White Space” frequency spectrum that can travel up to 10 miles and penetrate through buildings, trees, etc. This concept was evaluated in the recently completed Garrett County Broadband Feasibility Study.

Third on the list is the Penn Alps to Meadow Mountain Trail project. The county is requesting $100,000 from ARC to construct the route. The total cost of this project is $542,345, with $386,345 coming from National Recreation Trails, $50,000 from Garrett County, and $6,000 from Garrett Trails.

The nine-mile long project would begin near Grantsville and connect to the Meadow Mountain Trail. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski just announced that ARC has awarded $250,000 for completion of the 10-mile long Meadow Mountain Trail, which the county requested funding for last year.

Last, but not least, on the development funding list is the proposed Accident Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hinebaugh indicated the project is number four because of funding issues involving other agencies.

Garrett County is seeking $250,000 in ARC funds for the $3.456 million project.

For local access road projects, the county is seeking $252,000 for the “Cherry Glade Phase II Revision” project. An estimated $1.045 million is needed to complete the road, which goes through the county’s old roads garage property in Oakland, connecting Rt. 219 and Fourth Street.

The Cherry Glade project experienced a major cost increase recently because of bridge and stream mitigation, which is required for permitting, Hinebaugh said. For example, the stream design became more expensive than anticipated as nearly $57,000 worth of plants are required along the stream bank.

Once the road is completed, Hinebaugh noted, the county will have three additional one-acre lots available to sell to business owners.

Two lots have already been sold and are occupied by Dairy Queen Grill & Chill and Clear Mountain Bank. These sales netted the county more than $600,000, Hinebaugh noted.

He said the county will need to contribute $63,000 to Phase II of the road project, but the three lot sales will bring much needed additional revenue to the county.

Number two on the road access list is a request for $400,000 in ARC funds for infrastructure improvements at ASCI. Two pedestrian/cart bridges over the whitewater course and an access road would be constructed. Parking lot upgrades would also be made. Hinebaugh noted that the International Canoe Federation suggested these improvements as well.

Hinebaugh stressed the projects list is subject to change, based on the availability of ARC funding and requests from other western Maryland counties.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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ARC fronts grant for 10-mile trail project in Garrett County

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

— GRANTSVILLE — A new trail outside of Grantsville will become a reality using a $250,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant, according to U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski.

The 10-mile Meadow Mountain Trail will build on Garrett County’s efforts to expand its outdoor recreation industry, and is projected to have an economic impact of more than $3 million, the senators said.

ARC funds will be used to complete the trail design, construct the trail and improve two trailhead parking areas. The MMT is a key segment of the larger Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, which will be a 150-mile recreational trail winding through the heart of Garrett County.

The MMT segment will begin near Grantsville and the Casselman River Bridge and end near state Route 495 at the University of Maryland’s 4-H Center.

The trail will traverse through public lands and will be accessible to outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, biking, backpacking, trail running, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and educational study.

Job creation and financial impact stems from hikers and bikers stopping for meals and purchasing gear at the many small businesses located near the trail, and staying the night in a nearby trail town.

“Garrett County’s scenic treasures are also economic treasures, drawing thousands of tourists to Maryland each year to enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” said Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The Meadow Mountain Trail will further tourism and small business growth in Garrett County, creating new jobs and new economic opportunities for Western Maryland.”

“This grant is about supporting jobs in Western Maryland,” Mikulski said. “It is a smart investment that will help grow Garrett County’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, jobs and economic development to the region.”

State sources will provide $316,000, and local sources will provide $48,550, bringing the total project funding to $614,550, the announcement said.

The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of the Appalachian region to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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>Local Business Park Awarded $107,000 Grant

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Jun. 23, 2011

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $107,000 grant to the Garrett County Board of Commissioners to make electrical upgrades at the McHenry Business Park.

The grant will be used to extend power lines to the park, which is owned and operated by the county. The county hopes the electrical upgrade will attract high-power users, such as technology-based and small component businesses to the park.

“The funding for McHenry Business Park will strengthen Garrett County’s economy by bringing high-tech businesses and jobs to the community,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, who, along with Sen. Barbara Mikuski, announced the ARC grant award last Friday.

More here.

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ARC Awards Grant To Study Tourism At Deep Creek Lake

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Sep. 23, 2010

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $20,000 grant to Garrett County to conduct a study of tourism at Deep Creek Lake, allowing local residents, businesses, and government to better plan for future development in the area, according to U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin. In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide $20,000.

“This federal funding will help Garrett County boost its tourism and its economy,” Mikulski said. “This funding is a federal investment in jobs today and jobs tomorrow in western Maryland. I’m so proud that Garrett County will be able to use these funds to continue to develop and grow.”

The ARC funds will be used to study lake visitors by demographic and season, analyze second home/rental property revenues, and define spending by category and season at lake-area businesses. It is anticipated that the information will provide a better understanding of the lake’s economic importance and provide a framework for future allocations to protect and preserve this environmental asset.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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Garrett could get ARC funding for projects

Megan Miller Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — Washington County’s loss could be Garrett’s gain, at least this year.

That’s because the Washington County Commission voted Tuesday to forfeit $400,000 in TEA-21 funding, a federal program based in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century that supports road development projects.

Washington County passed on the money because its project will not be ready to get off the ground in time to use the funds before they expire, at the end of the federal fiscal year, Sept. 30. And there’s a good chance that the $400,000 could be awarded instead to Garrett County, which has several projects already in the works.

Those include the Cherry Glade access road in Oakland to connect Third and Fourth streets on the parcel that formerly held a Garrett County Roads Department facility, as well as the second phase of development of the McHenry business park, according to County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.

The Tri-County Council for Western Maryland administers TEA-21 funds for Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties. Assistant Director Guy Winterberg said Thursday that he was still awaiting official notification of the decision from Washington County.

Ultimately, he said, the Appalachian Regional Commission will have to approve any change in the funding distribution, since the ARC is responsible for allocating the funds. The state program manager will recommend that the funds be applied to a different project, and that county will be invited to apply for the funds.

“This late in the game, it will probably be a project that’s under way or will be under way very shortly,” Winterberg said.

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350