Business Development

Lightbulb with checklist - Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey

Western Maryland Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Survey

Last Updated 4/16/2026 11:03am

The Tri-County Council for Western Maryland (TCC) is committed to strengthening our regional economy by better supporting the entrepreneurs and organizations that make it thrive. To do this effectively, TCC needs to hear directly from you. TCC has partnered with an independent nonprofit organization... see more

Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker (left) tours Pillar Innovations with CEO Shawn Bender (right)

Beyond Boundaries, Pillar Innovations Empowers the Future of Advanced Industry

Last Updated 4/16/2026 11:04am

Want a glimpse into the future of advanced industry? Take a look at Pillar Innovations in Garrett County. Headquartered in a cutting-edge facility in the Northern Garrett Industrial Park, Pillar has grown from a specialized division of services and engineering of Beitzel Corporation to become a... see more

Front (l-r): Commissioners Paul Edwards, Larry Tichnell and Ryan Savage. Rear (l-r): Kim Durst, Business Development Manager, Linda Carr, CLS Ventures, Sarah Myers, Sarah Myers Marketing, and Connor Norman, Business Development Specialist.

Milestone Proclamation Presented to CLS Ventures and Lakefront Magazine

Last Updated 4/15/2026 3:03pm

At its public meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland, presented a Milestone Proclamation to Linda Carr of CLS Ventures, Inc. and Sarah Myers, recognizing the 35th anniversary of CLS Ventures, Inc. and The Lakefront Magazine. Founded in 1991 by... see more

GaCo Qualifies to Compete at its 2026 District Championship

Last Updated 4/3/2026 10:58am

Garrett County’s Public High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 1629, GaCo, competed at its second qualifier for its 2026 FRC season last weekend, March 28-29, at Severn Run High School in Severn, Maryland. GaCo was one of thirty-five teams from across Maryland, Virginia, and DC that... see more

Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge in partnership with Farm Credit

Ag Innovation Challenge Opens: $100K for Top Entrepreneur

Last Updated 4/2/2026 9:11am

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is accepting online applications from entrepreneurs for the 2027 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge through June 5, 2026. Now in its 13th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing... see more

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Garrett County is the westernmost county in Maryland, Garrett County offering a central location to many major markets, an interstate, available community-owned business parks, one of Maryland’s best K-12 school systems, a variety of housing options, and an excellent workforce.

Work in Garrett County

The Department of Business Development works to attract, retain, and expand businesses to our area. Our workforce, location, and affordable community-owned business parks have attracted some of the best business that Maryland has to offer. We’re an attractive location for manufacturing, distribution, back office, call center, energy, agricultural, and recreation firms.

Learn in Garrett County

Our public schools consistently rank as one of Maryland’s best. The STEM curriculum, within both our public schools and Garrett College, prepares graduates for career achievement and skilled local jobs. We provide an opportunity to all students to achieve higher education. The Garrett County Commissioners Scholarship Program makes post-secondary education within reach of area high school students and their families. Yet educational efforts do not end there, Garrett College actively seeks private employers to partner with to provide enhanced job skills for area workers.

Play in Garrett County

With 90,000 acres of parks, trails, and lakeside amenities, Garrett County has many entertainment options. We offer year-round recreation from ski slopes to lake shores, as well as many public spaces to swim, ski, golf, and relax. Our county festivals, farmers’ markets, and cultural celebrations provide year-round enjoyment.

In Garrett County, we continue to define what it means to live, work, and play. We invite you to see what we have to offer. Please call us at 301-334-1921 or email us at business@garrettcounty.org.

Interested in Garrett County's current economic development priorities? Please click on the link below:

Document 2023 - 2027 Economic Development Strategic Plan (3.56 MB)