Maryland Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker spent the early part of this week in Garrett County, meeting with business owners, visiting local employers, and getting a close look at several of the region’s economic assets including Phenix Technologies and Beitzel Corporation/Pillar Innovations. His final stop of the afternoon on Tuesday brought him to Casselman Creamery, where owner Ben Reigsiecker outlined his plans to grow the creamery’s production and expand its reach in Western Maryland.
Reigsiecker, who owns the Casselman Inn, Casselman Market, Hill-Top, and is now developing Refuge Mountain Ranch, walked the secretary through the story of the creamery and its steady shift toward becoming a broader, community-centered agricultural operation. The business is preparing to introduce new products, such as fresh yogurt, cottage cheese, and other specialty dairy items, once additional equipment is secured.
Coker commended the creamery for its focus on fresh, local dairy items at a time when many small producers face pressure from lower-cost products. He said the creamery’s work reflects the strengths of Maryland’s agricultural sector and its importance to rural economies, local farmers, and small communities.
During the visit to the creamery, Coker also discussed several tools available through Maryland Commerce. These include programs that support foreign investment, financial incentives for business expansion and equipment purchases, and assistance from the Governor’s Office of Business Enhancement, which helps companies navigate state processes.
According to Daniel Leaderman, Senior Communications Manager for the department, the secretary has made it a priority to visit every county in Maryland. “Spending time in each community gives him a clearer picture of what business owners are dealing with,” Leaderman said. “It’s a chance to understand their challenges directly and to make sure they know what resources the state can offer to help them grow.”
Coker noted that Western Maryland is demographically different from other parts of the state and that economic support must reflect those differences. A single statewide approach, he said, rarely meets the needs of communities as varied as Maryland’s.
“Garrett County has its own identity and its own set of circumstances,” he said during the tour. “Our approach has to match that reality. We want to listen first, understand what local businesses actually need, and then help connect them with the tools that fit. Rural communities deserve solutions designed with rural communities in mind.”
Coker encouraged business owners to explore the Maryland Financial Incentives for Businesses portal, which brings together the state’s major funding and assistance programs in one place. The resource is available at https://commerce.knack.com/maryland-funding-incentives.
Article and photo courtesy of Deep Creek Times.
