December 5th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

A little more than a week after Allegany County Commissioners President Jake Shade said talks with the CEDC had reached a critical point and the county may choose to move in a different direction by the end of the month- Cumberland officials presented a more optimistic picture. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation- which handles economic matters for the city- began talks this past summer with county officials about a possible merger. Some obstacles have popped up in recent weeks leading Shade to describe the two sides as being “pretty far apart” and that if a deal isn’t reached by the end of the year- the county will move on. During a city work session this week, CEDC executive director Paul Kelly provided an update- and said that talks are ongoing and he anticipates an agreement will ultimately be finalized.  Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss echoed those sentiments…