ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD
County Offices
701 Kelly Road
Cumberland MD 301-777-5911
http://gov.allconet.org
Chamber of Commerce
Cumberland, MD
301-722-2820
www.alleganycountychamber.com
Nestled in the heart of Western Maryland, Allegany County enjoys a strategic central location in relationship to three major metropolitan areas: Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, DC; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Once a crossroads where rail, roads and canals converged in the 19th century, the region still serves as a significant manufacturing and distribution center.
Great American adventure is more than a distant memory in Allegany County, with its spectacular vistas and overlooks. Known as the “Mountain Side of Maryland,” the region is a study in natural beauty. Clear mountain streams rush through pristine forests, meandering into vast ridges and valley terrain. Summers are delightfully cool and comfortable, and autumn’s display of vivid colors rivals that of any New England postcard scene.
Economy and Transportation
In addition to the income derived from mining the important natural resource of bituminous coal, the flourishing local economy encompasses over 1,800 diverse businesses and manufacturers. A well-developed service sector has also developed in this region, from financial to medical institutions. Key employers include Alliant Tech Systems, CSX, Frostburg State University, Kelly-Springfield Tire, the Schwab Company, Western Maryland Health Systems and Westvaco.
The county’s long-established and efficient transportation network offers superior access to over one-third of the nation’s population. Interstate 68 combines with state highways to provide easy access to vital links like I-70, I-79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. While several local airfields are available throughout the surrounding region, Dulles International Airport (Virginia), Pittsburgh International Airport (Pennsylvania), and the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (Maryland) are all within easy driving distance. For quick trips within the county, the Allegany Transit Authority provides convenient bus service.
Education and Healthcare
Committed to providing a quality education for area youth, Allegany County is home to outstanding private and public schools. The public school district serves nearly 20,000 students, offering an excellent student/teacher ratio of 1:16 and state-of-the-art computer instruction. Opportunities for higher education close to home include Allegany Community College and Frostburg State University, although approximately 30 institutions of higher learning are available within a short commute.
The county is home to Frostburg Community Hospital and two major institutions that ensure cutting-edge treatment and diagnostics. Both the Memorial Hospital and Medical Center and Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland are part of the extensive Western Maryland Health System, where over 200 physicians practice over 30 medical specialties. In fact, Memorial Hospital is one of only nine shock/trauma centers in the entire State of Maryland.
Lifestyle
You don’t have to travel to Pittsburgh or Washington, DC, for first-rate cultural attractions. The Mountain Side of Maryland hosts a wonderful array of dance troupes, musical concerts, art exhibits, stimulating discussion forums and outstanding stage performances. Venues and organizations like the acclaimed Cumberland Theatre, the Community Concert Association, the Arts Council, and Frostburg State University combine to produce a year-round showcase of professional and local talent.
Small-town festivities combine with major happenings like the spectacular Drumfest Invitational Drum and Bugle Corps Championship, Maryland Railfest, and the Maryland State Chili Cookoff. Summer heralds the return of the Washington Redskins to their Frostburg training camp, and the two-day Heritage Days celebration that draws craftspeople nationwide. When the temperatures drop, a winter wonderland emerges with candlelight tours, concerts and craft shows.
Those who prefer the great outdoors will enjoy having easy access to the state parks and forests scattered throughout Allegany County, nearby Garrett County, and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, hunting and nature appreciation are just a few of the many activities that make this region a natural playground.
Even the small towns and cities provide relaxing and lush parks and recreational facilities, from playgrounds and ballfields to ice-skating rinks and golf courses. Constitution Park in Cumberland boats over 100 acres of recreational opportunities that include a swimming pool, tennis courts, picnic areas and an amphitheater.
Housing options in Allegany County range from well-kept older homes along tree-lined streets to modern construction in new subdivisions. Newcomers will find everything from charming Victorians and colonials to sprawling horse properties in a variety of settings and price ranges. With its exceptional quality of life, slower pace, unparalleled natural beauty and close-knit community spirit, Allegany County is an ideal place to call home.
Bowling Green
Chamber of Commerce
301-722-2820
www.alleganycountychamber.com
The small town of Bowling Green is located along Route 220 just minutes from Cumberland. A scattering of local stores meet daily retail needs, although residents can easily take advantage of the expanded amenities in Cumberland. Primarily residential, this unincorporated town offers beautiful older homes along quiet, tree-lined streets as well as newer construction in growing developments. Rich in land and opportunity, Bowling Green attracts those who want the tranquility of a small town and the luxury of abundant open space. Premier recreational opportunities are available in nearby state parklands, forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife preserves. Excellent facilities are close to home for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, paddle sports, camping and picnicking.
Cumberland
City Offices
301-722-2000
www.ci.cumberland.md.us
Chamber of Commerce
301-722-2820
www.alleganycountychamber.com
Cumberland is a beautiful little city nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by forests, streams, rivers and premier recreational amenities. Once a hub for manufacturing and transportation, the city now boasts a flourishing tourist trade and 23,900 residents. Revitalization has resulted in the charming area known as “Downtown Cumberland Mall,” complete with beautiful fountains and lush rest areas. Two major hospitals, a nearby state university and an active arts community ensure a quality of life associated with much larger municipalities. In recent years, the city’s idyllic atmosphere has attracted an influx of new businesses and technological firms, diversifying the economic base. Newcomers will find a selection of attractive housing in a variety of styles, settings and price ranges – from modest older homes to newer construction. For those who seek the serenity and friendliness of a small town, Cumberland provides an exceptional quality of life.
Frostburg
City Office
301-689-6000
www.frostburgcity.com
Chamber of Commerce
301-722-2820
www.alleganycountychamber.com
Frostburg, Maryland is a small college town in Western Maryland. It is home to Frostburg State University; a four-year graduate and undergraduate public university. The university shares its name with the town in which it is located. Nestled in the state’s Appalachian highlands, the area rich in its mining and education heritage and is known for its beautiful autumns, snowy winters, bright springs and temperate summers. Its location provides easy access to Pennsylvania and West Virginia, while the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are only a few hours away. Frostburg is a Historic Main Street community with many “turn of the century” homes. It maintains the small town charm that is so often lost in modern society, offering its residents a very high quality of life in a welcoming setting.
Mount Savage
Chamber of Commerce
301-722-2820
www.alleganycountychamber.com
Conveniently located along Route 36, Mount Savage offers a small-town atmosphere to its 2,300 residents. A scattering of retail activity provides daily conveniences, although Cumberland’s well-developed commercial district is just 10 miles away. An older town with a selection of well-kept, vintage homes along welcoming streets, Mount Savage includes a beautiful community park for relaxation, exercise and picnicking. Local youth can receive a quality education in a school that combines kindergarten through high school. Nearby recreational opportunities are abundant, from whitewater rafting and canoeing to leisurely hikes along miles of pristine forest trails.
