In the News

Download the August 2022 TGCC Newsletter.

The Maryland Department of Transportation will invest nearly $88 million in funding for north-south highway improvements for Garrett and Allegany counties.

The quality of a region’s housing and its ability to be economically competitive—to attract and retain the skilled workers that businesses
and institutions need to thrive—are closely connected issues. Until recently, they were rarely viewed this way, and housing is still not part of the formal economic development toolkits in most parts of the country. But in the five counties that participate in the I-68 Regional Alliance, momentum is building to formalize this crucial connection.

CUMBERLAND, Md. — For his dedication to helping push forward the planned north-south highway project to connect Corridor H and Interstate 68 via the U.S. Route 220 corridor, local accountant David Turnbull was honored Thursday night with The Greater Cumberland Committee's Greater Good award.

MEYERSDALE, Pa. — A $53 million boost in highway dollars has been committed to carry the U.S. Route 219 project through its final design in the coming years — one of the few major hurdles remaining to get the project to construction in 2028. Pennsylvania lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said the funding […]

SOMERSET, Pa. — With $87 million in new Appalachian Development Highway System dollars flowing into Pennsylvania over the next five years, state transportation officials plan to focus it on finishing three corridors — U.S. Route 219 in Somerset County, an Interstate 99 connection and the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway.

CUMBERLAND — Plans to improve U.S. Route 219 in Garrett County have been awarded $55 million in federal funding, according to Maryland lawmakers.

The funding, which consists of $11 million annually for five years, is part of an ongoing goal to transform U.S. Route 219 into a modern four-lane divided highway which would extend from Pennsylvania through Maryland into West Virginia.

SOMERSET, Pa. – With $87 million in new Appalachian Development Highway System
dollars flowing into Pennsylvania over the next five years, state transportation officials plan to focus it on finishing three corridors – U.S. Route 219 in Somerset County, an Interstate 99 connection and the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway.

In 2021, the I-68 Regional Alliance, a TGCC led coalition of industry partners, economic development organizations, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, representatives from institutions of higher learning, and local, state and federal government offices, identified the lack of adequate housing for professional workers as a significant obstacle to the attraction and retention of workers needed to grow and sustain the economic development of the area.

We've been working with Greg Larry of the Times News over the last couple of weeks to develop this initial story related to our forest products certified branding initiative and the RMC grant award. Today that article landed on the front page of the Times-News, perfectly timed for our two-part Zoom Speaker Series starting today at Noon on the final Economic Adjustment Strategy findings/recommendations and next month's kick off of the grant project.

Please download the newsletter here: Q2 2021 TGCC Newsletter

Please download the newsletter here: February 2021 TGCC Newsletter

Please download the newsletter here: January 2021 TGCC Newsletter

A renewable energies incubator will soon open at Frostburg State University, allowing companies and students to collaborate in designing alternative power systems.

Please download the newsletter here: November 2020 TGCC Newsletter

Belt receives Greater Good Award from The Greater Cumberland Committee by Greg Larry | glarry@times-news.com | Original Article CUMBERLAND — Businessman Carl O. “Bucky” Belt Jr. was recognized Thursday by The Greater Cumberland Committee for his overall contributions to the community. Belt was presented with the 2020 Greater Good Award at an event held at […]

Please download the newsletter here: October 2020 TGCC Newsletter

U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) was joined by U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) on Monday for a bipartisan tour of the 6th Congressional District, which included a stop in Cumberland.

We were delighted to have Angela Svonavec, President of Heritage Coal and Natural Resources, with us to share more about rare earth element recovery and her new company, Epic Element Recovery, LLC.

The Appalachian Regional Commission will provide a new $550,000 grant program for agencies offering rehabilitation programs for individuals suffering from substance abuse.

Please download the newsletter here: September 2020 TGCC Newsletter

The Appalachian Regional Commission presented to TGCC on Thursday, September 3. Download the presentation now!

Please download the newsletter here: August 2020 TGCC Newsletter

As telework and virtual learning grow across the region, the need for high-speed internet must be a priority. That was one of the topics discussed at the I-68 Regional Alliance virtual meeting Friday.

Please download the newsletter here: July 2020 TGCC Newsletter