May 14th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
A planned merger of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation with Allegany County hit a road block this week when the CEDC board voted to reject the revised proposal from the county. Many are placing the blame for the break down on the county commissioners. The CEDC has been working with the city of Cumberland and Allegany County officials since last fall to combine economic development efforts- however CEDC officials this week described the county’s latest proposal as a deal breaker- saying it moved away from the public/private management concept- turning it into a county controlled entity. Commissioners President Jake Shade, on WCBC’s “Dave Norman Show”, acknowledged that the county is looking for a controlling interest- noting that it is the county that would be making the biggest financial contribution and would be held accountable for the success or failure of any project…
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May 14, 2020 at 7:12 am, Ken said:
If blame is to go around it would have to go to the power greedy CEDC and the princes of destruction Kelly and Miller. They haven’t touched a project without it falling apart and destructing half the city. Why should this merger be any different?
May 14, 2020 at 8:26 am, Kevin said:
> They are like Trump – everything they touch fails.
May 14, 2020 at 11:41 am, Ed Dodrill said:
Kent, The CEDC hasn’t contributed on job in 7 years.
May 14, 2020 at 12:06 pm, Kevin said:
> Neither has Trump based on the 25% unemployment rate he created. #MAGA
May 14, 2020 at 9:09 am, Jt Hare said:
By placing the blame on the county, that deal will never go through. Everyone knows the deal was refused over Power, Money and where to put the offices which should not be at Canal Place when there is plenty of space over at the County Building.
May 14, 2020 at 9:11 am, Welchy said:
Only WCBC seems to be blaming the county commissioners, EVEN THOUGH THEY PASSED IT(?) Why do they want a few rich guys calling the shots? CEDC board wanted a takeover not a merger. No one could possibly object with a straight face to a 4-3 county to city split on the board for an entity funded primarily by county government
May 14, 2020 at 9:45 am, Ken said:
Agree. Just like the CEDC, WCBC is on the wrong side of this issue. The CEDC is a greedy non-elected board who wants the gov funding without being responsible to anyone.
May 14, 2020 at 10:22 am, mac said:
Mayor Morriss is on the board of the CEDC. He used to be behind consolidation with the County. He abstained from any vote on the latest wording. He can’t have it both ways. As Mayor he should disband CEDC and rely on the County Economic Development Department as the sole agency to be responsible for City/County development projects.
This fiasco sounds a lot like recent School Board malfunctions.
May 14, 2020 at 11:44 am, Ed Dodrill said:
What is the county track record in the city? They sit on $34 million in their general fund while the city of Cumberland crumbles. Get a grip county government lovers.
May 14, 2020 at 12:08 pm, Kevin said:
> Bingo! You nailed it!
May 14, 2020 at 3:44 pm, mac said:
> I’m not excited about the County as much as very disappointed in how the City has progressed.
Project after project started with no completions and no end in sight.
I’m just thinking it’s time to give someone else an opportunity to get something done.
Why continue to back a proven loser?