August 2nd, 2024 by WCBC Radio

CNBC recently published its annual ranking of top states for business.  Maryland came in pretty much in the middle of the pack overall, but scored close to last – 47th place – in the cost of doing business. WCBC News spoke with Cumberland Economic Development Director Matt Miller about the rankings and he said that our location provides targeted access for many businesses that could locate here…

"A lot of businesses in today's world are looking at logistical especially like distribution and we are a short day's drive of a third of the nation's population so, that's why although the cost of doing business on paper might be higher it makes a lot more logistical sense for a business to locate in Cumberland or in Maryland in general just because of the access to population." 

He also said the state has many programs that help businesses offset costs if they decide to locate in Maryland…

"There's also a ton of different credits and mechanisms that are available in the state of Maryland that offset the costs and make it a bit more financially reasonable and feasible for businesses to relocate here."