November 21st, 2019 by WCBC Radio
Efforts are moving forward to form an Interstate 68 Regional Alliance which is expected to be a subgroup of the Greater Cumberland Committee. The concept was discussed at length during this month’s meeting of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation. CEDC executive director Paul Kelly described it as an informal association of local economic development representatives from Allegany, Garrett, Mineral, Bedford and Somerset counties. Saying that that it is in its “infancy”- Kelly says the idea is to pull resources to market as a region. He said there are three potential goals in terms of business attraction….
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November 21, 2019 at 6:31 am, mac said:
That sounds great but why is it necessary to have the input from 4 other counties in 2 other states to make these proposals? If it might work just get out and make your pitch. If CEDC is touting Allegany County why does it need input from the others outside? Wouldn’t that diminish the appeal of Allegany County?
November 21, 2019 at 11:32 am, Bob said:
Mac is correct; if employers are permitted to compare Bedford and Somerset County employees and officials with our locals, there is little chance of them choosing us.
November 21, 2019 at 2:26 pm, Paolo Primavera said:
The REASON to come together as a region versus a single county or city is because there is STRENGTH in numbers. How can a rundown, people leaving, no quality job location hope to do anything meaningful in anything they try to stumble into. In my layman’s mind we need to try and get additional counties and cities onboard to create a unified team to help exploit Interstate 68 conduit to the outlying prosperous areas that can turn around the desolation and downtrodden communities this tri-state area has become. Those of you who are reading this should talk this up in your community groups and support efforts on behalf of those who volunteer and work to make meaningful change to our tri-state area.
November 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm, mac said:
> There may be strength in numbers but not when you are in direct competition to lure new business to the area.
CEDC and the City and County should aggressively seek the suppliers for Northrup Grumman and the biotech businesses without waiting for the other counties to join in.
November 21, 2019 at 5:30 pm, Bob said:
> Right, they need to do so PDQ before the businesses learn of the better options in the region or too much about the City, County or CEDC.
November 21, 2019 at 3:59 pm, Joe white said:
The last part of this statement says it would “pull” resources to market the region. It should have said “pool” the resources.
November 22, 2019 at 6:47 am, mac said:
> Whoever wrote that must have had Wayne Foote for a teacher.