Page 47 - Garrett County 2023/2024 Visitors Guide

Selected Towns Population (2022)
Friendsville
430
Mt. Lake Park
1,975
Oakland
2,099
Population/Households
2020
28,806/11,950
2030 (projected) 29,620/12,550
Population Distribution (2015-2019)
Under age 5:
1,423/4.9%
Ages 20-44:
7,999/27.4%
65 and over:
6,436/22.0%
DISCOVER OUR BUSINESS-FRIENDLY
CLIMATE AND INCENTIVES
It couldn’t be easier to relocate to Garrett County. Our Department of Business Development stands ready to
assist employers with a range of services, including site selection support, financing assistance (both public and private sources), workforce training and recruitment, networking resources and referrals, marketing support, demographic analysis and general business assistance.
If you choose Garrett County as the (new) home for your business, you’ll join a thriving local economy where growth industries include such diverse sectors as agribusiness, arts and culture, education, energy, health and social, specialty manufacturing, technology, and tourism and recreation. Existing employers appreciate the county’s business-friendly policies, easy interstate access, community-owned business parks and excellent workforce.
Another crucial advantage: the fact that Garrett County is a four-season tourism destination adds significantly to your business’s potential customer base. Each year, the area welcomes 1.4 million visitors.
In addition to county government, the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce is
a major source of support for employers
— for example by providing a free jobs board for members. The chamber also works with employers through its Workforce
Development Taskforce, which aims to help develop a sustainable labor pool.
For more details on the task force, or if you are interested in participating, contact Holly Lane at holly@garrettchamber.com, or go to visitdeepcreek.com/economic- workforce-development.
Growth Industries
Garrett County’s convenient location close to major metro areas, an educated workforce and solid tourism revenue are beneficial for just about any sector. However, the following industries are our most notable ones:
Technology: With the help of incubator programs, local talent and tech-forward facilities, Garrett County’s more than 30 technology companies are set for growth. In fact, a technology superhighway lies beneath Garrett County’s roads: 45 miles of wireless broadband fiber laid by the One Maryland Broadband Network. A nearly $435,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will allow the county to extend the fiber an additional 4.5 miles.
Health & Services: Garrett County is
on the cutting edge of rural health-care innovation, striving to provide affordable and comprehensive care to all its residents. Along with the Garrett County Health Department and the Garrett County Community Action Committee, these
Grantsville 701
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
Sources: Maryland Department of Planning, U.S. Census Bureau
QUALITY OF LIFE: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ages 5-19:
Ages 45-64:
4,742/16.2%
8,635/29.5%
Sources: Maryland Department of Planning, U.S. Census Bureau
www.visitdeepcreek.com 45
PHOTO BY KRISTEN FISCHETTI – HIGHER FOCUS STUDIOS