Published: August 28, 2008 10:04 am      

As companies expand, area’s lack of available housing becomes concern

Combination of new projects, revitalization of existing neighborhoods likely part of plan

CUMBERLAND — Could ATK cross the Potomac River?

The possibility exists, Matt Diaz said Wednesday after the annual meeting of the Cumberland/Allegany County Industrial Foundation at The Oxford House on the downtown mall.

Diaz, director of economic development for Allegany County, spoke of existing companies’ expansion efforts during the last year. Schroeder Industries LLC, a hydraulics filter products manufacturer and distributor, added 12,000 square feet to its operations at North Branch Industrial Park. So, too, is Superfos Packaging Inc., a plastics manufacturer at North Branch, acquiring additional land and creating up to 30 new jobs over the next three years.

Diaz also said Alliant Techsystems’ Rocket Center, W.Va., facility is geared to add up to 1,000 new positions — nearly double its current local work force of 1,275 employees — over the next 10 years. But ATK is the only one of the three businesses mentioned by Diaz that is not in Allegany County. At least, not yet.

“There’s always a chance,” said Diaz, noting no formal discussions have taken place. “Whether a day will ever come actually expand over the river ... it certainly would be an option. They know where we are.”

There already is a precedent. ATK employs more than 17,000 people in 21 states, including Maryland at locations in Elkton and Baltimore. But Diaz said Keith Funkhouser, vice president and general manager at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, expressed a concern about a lack of available housing for potential employees regardless where expansion takes place, whether in Mineral or Allegany counties.

“Where would they live,” Diaz said Funkhouser inquired.

Ray Skinner, Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development, was the keynote speaker at Wednesday’s meeting. He said it’s agencies like his that can help fund new projects and revitalize existing residential neighborhoods.

Skinner recited the accomplishments of several departmental programs, including the new Maple Street initiative. Cumberland was one of four cities across the state to be granted in June with the Maple Street Community designation. The city received $15,000 to help jumpstart the repair of neighborhoods in the Main Street area.

Skinner said he and David Edgerley, state secretary of Business and Economic Development, will “be joined at the hip” and work together frequently to improve the housing and economic situation in Allegany County.

“We need to leverage our resources to get the maximum effectiveness out of limited state dollars,” Skinner said.