Is There Any Resemblance in our Sister City of Grantsville MD?

By Shari Johnson, Publisher

The hubs and I look each year for a place to spend a few days to unwind, and as he retired (for the second time) we decided we’d travel two and a half hours north east to the city of Grantsville, Maryland. We booked through the Vrbo app (in case you’re interested,) and headed out a few days later.

When we arrived in the city of Grantsville, MD, slightly larger than our own Grantsville, WV, I discovered that there were several things that our communities have in common. While I believe we are on the verge of an economic growth spurt, they’re actually in it now.

I stopped by the Grantsville, Md City office and had a welcoming conversation with their staff. The office manager had actually heard of us too! She was a former employee of a Foodland store in that area and used to receive the invoices for our own Grantsville Foodland. Theirs unfortunately has closed down; ours nearly did, if not for the rescue of I.L. Morris.

Their city office had six staff members, three in the office and three for the water/sewer department. A Mayor and five council members. When I asked if the city and county worked well together, I was informed they got a long very well; their Mayor is married to a County Commissioner. I’ll bet that makes for some interesting supper conversations! Another reason I believe the county and city get along is the fact that the county purchased an unused church property within the city limits, and gifted it to the city to make a community building out of. That is a true consolidated effort by two entities.

As you walked into their office, there was a table spread with marketing and local information, as well as a quarterly news letter that listed a local calendar for that quarter. Grantsville, Maryland is in the County of Garrett. The City not only marketed themselves, they marketed the County as well and the eight small cities within the county. I couldn’t help but think about what each community within Calhoun has to offer. We’re not even very good about marketing ourselves to ourselves. I’m sometimes shocked as I go through an area of my own community and stumble across a road side farm stand, an artisan I didn’t know lived here or a picturesque place I didn’t know existed. Our roads are filled with historical places and interesting treasures that need more attention.

This is a partial update from the Garrett County Department of Community Development.

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Reflecting on Progress: Key Economic Wins in 2024 and Our 2025 Future

As 2024 is behind us, it’s clear—Garrett County is on the move. The past year has been a testament to the power of smart investment, community-driven growth, and the tenacity of our local businesses. We’ve made real progress, setting the stage for an even stronger 2025.

Our focus has always been on making Garrett County the best place for families to live, work, and thrive. This year, we’ve doubled down on infrastructure, housing, business expansion, and healthcare—laying a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our community development team and the support of local leaders, we’re not just keeping up—we’re winning.

Economic success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens because of the hardworking, determined people who call Garrett County home. The grit and perseverance of our homegrown businesses have fueled organic growth, proving that our strongest asset is our community itself. With their relentless drive, we are leading the way.

Major Investments That Are Shaping Our Future

Housing & Community Growth

· North Hill Community – $900,000 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund for infrastructure supporting 126 senior housing units (55+).

· Town of Accident – Flat Street – $435,000 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund for infrastructure, creating 10 new residential building lots.

· Springs Housing (Hemlock Grove) – $1,200,000 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund for infrastructure in Grantsville, adding approximately 60 single-family homes priced at $200,000–$250,000.

· Cherry Hill – $1,000,000 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund to develop a 24-bed assisted living facility in Oakland/Mountain Lake Park.

Healthcare & Community Services Expansion

· Mountain Laurel Medical Center – $1,000,000 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund for expansion and remodeling in Grantsville, adding a pharmacy, imaging center, and exam rooms.

· Quest for Hope – $167,455 from the Senator George Edwards Economic Development Fund to remodel a new counseling facility in Grantsville, providing critical mental health support for the community.

Business & Industrial Park Development

Keyser’s Ridge Business Park

· New Facility – 15 acres under contract (NDA in place) with an estimated creation of 25+ jobs.

· Shell Building – Daystar Construction will build a 50,000 sq. ft. facility to market for sale or lease.

· Centralized Propane Facility – Providing metered propane service to tenants, a necessity since natural gas is not an option at this location.

· Access Road – Set for completion in 2025, opening several new lots for development.

Southern Garrett Business & Technology Park

· Sunrise Sanitation – Purchasing Lot 9 to relocate from West Virginia, creating 26 new full-time jobs and expanding waste collection and recycling services.

McHenry Business Park

· CannaBarons – Purchasing the Medco building, with an estimated addition of 40–60 full-time jobs.

· Hannick Homes – Under contract for a new office building, expanding local business presence.

Francis Sanders Drive

· CHIPS Properties – Purchasing two acres for a new office and warehouse, expanding operations due to new contracts in West Virginia.

Renewable Energy & Solar Development

Garrett County is solidifying its role as a leader in renewable energy with two massive solar projects:

· Backbone Solar – 900 acres currently under construction.

· Jade Meadow – 1,000 acres scheduled to begin development in 2026.

Once completed, Garrett County will host the two largest solar projects in Maryland. Meanwhile, we continue to receive a flood of community solar project requests each week, further emphasizing our region’s attractiveness for clean energy investment.

Parks & Trails Expansion

Through numerous grants and partnerships, Siera Wigfield continues to expand and enhance our parks and trails, moving closer to a long-term vision of connecting our communities through an integrated trail system. These efforts will provide increased recreational opportunities, boost tourism, and improve overall quality of life.

Airport Development & Expansion

The Garrett County Airport continues to grow as a key economic asset, supporting both tourism and business operations. The airport provides small freight and ground support services for commercial and general aviation, enhancing its role in regional economic development.

Adison Wyer is the new Airport Manager.

· Tourism Expansion – Contract in place to allow a local pilot to offer bi-plane tours.

· New Hangars – Leasing more ground for additional hangars on the west apron, with the potential for eight box hangars for businesses or individuals.

· McHenry Business Park Access – Working with the FAA and MAA to construct a new access road to open additional development opportunities.

· Monthly Rentals: Several “T” hangars are available for pilots

· Opportunities: Option to construct up to 8 box hangars for interested businesses or individuals.

Holding Our Own & Leading the Way

In a state struggling to keep up with the economic trends shaping our region and the nation, Garrett County is holding its own—and then some. From housing to business expansion, renewable energy to aviation, our county continues to make the right moves, proving that smart investments and a strong community can drive lasting success.

Lastly, note a key driver of our business development success is our dedicated team. Kim Durst, Manager of Business Development, brings invaluable expertise, while Connor Norman, Business Development Specialist, takes a hands-on approach to business engagement. Melissa Bolyard, our Agricultural Business Specialist, helps local farms optimize operations and navigate financial, market, and sustainability challenges. Together, this team ensures our local businesses have the support, resources, and connections needed to grow and thrive.

With momentum on our side, we’re ready for an even bigger 2025.

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That’s a lot, right? It sounds like a big, big city. I assure you it’s not. Yes, they have a lot of development, but the area of Grantsville is only 4 square miles. Our own Grantsville is about a half a square mile. The county of Garrett is 657 square miles. The county of Calhoun County, West Virginia is 281 square miles. Their county is better than twice the size of ours and our city is about 1/8 the size of theirs. But just think if half of things on Garrett County’s list of expansion was happening in Calhoun? It could you know? if not for the fact that we don’t believe in ourselves. I know this because if you believe in something, you tell people about it and you’re proud of it.

The Economic depression of our community is an effect of decades of having been squelched by past leadership. But we now have new leadership that encourages growth and the opportunity to change the local climate back to “Sunny Cal!” Let’s do it.

As you scroll through the images below that were taken around the Grantsville area, there is nothing there that could not be apart of our fair city, (with the exception of acres of farmland). But those farmland views are certainly within the county!

Interesting things about the city park was the fact that multiple organizations contributed, such as the Lions Club concession stand. The Artisan Village is much like what will be available on the Avalon Campus in the former Calhoun High School. Several choices of food establishments were available in town for which the business owners had put a great deal of effort into making them adorably charming with food that was delicious! Can you tell that I really loved this town? I loved it because it made me feel like home. There were historical sites that would no doubt bring photo visitors. And the best part of it all was the fact that there was no animosity felt. Everyone supported one another. Do I know that for a fact? Of course not. Do I believe that there are some people in that city that don’t like other people. If they’re human, probably so. But I didn’t feel it, read it, see it or experience it. It was wonderful. Just what Dr. Jesus ordered for me.

The City of Grantsville, MD

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