October 7th, 2021 by WCBC Radio

The Greater Cumberland Committee has been awarded a $175,000 grant by the Rural Maryland Council to help develop an effective marketing system for timber harvested in Maryland. The Cumberland Times News reports TGCC secured $90,000 in matching cash and in-kind contributions for the effort, bringing the total project budget to $265,000. The grant was made possible by the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund.  TGCC proposed to use the funding to promote Maryland wood products as a preferred option for commercial, institutional and retail buyers through a certified branding program. Jennifer Walsh, executive director of TGCC, said the project became an imperative after the closure of the Verso paper mill in Luke in June 2019.