Allegany County Government News and Press Releases

ALLEGANY RIBBON CUTTING FROSTBURG UNIVERSITY PHOTOS

ALLEGANY COUNTY GOVERNMENT HOSTS LEADERSHIP ALLEGANY!
The Leadership Allegany! Class of 2007 was hosted by Allegany County Government for Local Government Day, April 11, 2007. Leadership Allegany was developed by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce to develop emerging leaders. The Leadership Allegany! Class of 2007 has 27 members who devote one day every month to become educated about regional issues. The goal of Local Government Day was to increase the awareness of local government’s role, operations, and services. Beth Thomas, who manages Information Technology for Allegany County Government, organized Local Government Day. Read More

Hamilton Relay

Matthew W. Diaz, Director of the Allegany County Department of Economic Development remarked: “Allegany County warmly welcomes Hamilton Relay! This sophisticated, technologically-oriented company will enhance our local economy. Hamilton Relay exemplifies the age of information and the age of communication.”

James J. Stakem, President of the Allegany County Commissioners, stated:

“This company is experienced and successful in relay operations. Hamilton Relay is a strong addition to Allegany County’s diversified economy.”

Commissioner Robert M. Hutcheson acknowledged the assistance provided by the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED). “Allegany County sincerely appreciates the many things DBED did to make the location of Hamilton Relay in Frostburg a reality. The Allegany County Department of Economic Development and DBED have a good partnership.”

Commissioner Dale R. Lewis remarked: “Hamilton Relay offers the opportunity for full-time, stable employment in Allegany County. In addition, Hamilton Relay offers very rewarding work for individuals.”

ACS TOPS 550 EMPLOYEES AT ALLEGANY COUNTY FACILITY

NEW DIVISION WITH WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS STARTED

ACS, Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a premier provider of business process outsourcing and information technology solutions with operations in Allegany County (Maryland) at the intersection of Routes 40 and 36 in Frostburg/Frostburg Plaza, announced today that it has hit the 550 employee mark. ACS is one of the top employers in Allegany County and the Tri-State Area. ACS began operations in Allegany County in 1996 and was honored as the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Large Company of the Year in 2005.

The Frostburg facility provides telephone based customer care services for clients such as globally recognized health insurance and cellular communication providers. Specifically, ACS receives inbound customer service telephone calls.

The latest addition to ACS’ Frostburg location is the Global Training & Quality team. This team, headed by Rebecca Shewbridge, Vice President of Global Training & Quality, operates worldwide from the facility in Allegany County. The team develops multi-media training programs for a customer service environment, primarily through a patented Learning Management System.

The Global Training/Customer Care Division resulted in several new salaried positions at the Allegany County operation. Shewbridge also expects the new division to grow, perhaps adding five to ten salaried positions. To date, ACS has made significant contributions to the economic environment in the Tri-State Area with a payroll approaching 80 million dollars in the last ten years.

“ACS is pleased with the quality of the workforce at the local facility. I encourage individuals who are customer-oriented, want to provide accurate and timely information to members of the general public, and seek a pleasant working environment to consider ACS in Frostburg,” Shewbridge stated.

ACS offers full-time positions with flexible scheduling and benefits to employees. The comprehensive benefits program includes medical, dental, and vision coverage and a 401(k). Compensation includes base pay and performance bonuses. The ideal prospective employee will be detail-oriented and possess good keyboarding and Internet navigation skills.

Permanent employment is available; these positions are not seasonal ones. According to Shewbridge ACS offers career pathing (promotes from within) and, therefore, opportunity for advancement from entry level positions.

Matthew W. Diaz, Allegany County’s Director of Economic Development, cited the vitality of ACS. “ACS is a substantial company in the information age. We are delighted to have this progressive, technological company in Allegany County.”

ACS, a global FORTUNE 500 company with 58,000 people supporting client operations in more than 100 countries, provides business process outsourcing and information technology solutions to world-class commercial and government clients. The Company's Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ACS." ACS makes technology work. Visit ACS on the Internet at www.acs-inc.com. For additional information about employment opportunities contact ACS, 10701 New Georges Creek Road SW, Frostburg, MD 21532. The telephone number is 301-687-1700.

TELEPHONE BOOK RECYCLING CONTEST SAVE ALL OLD TELEPHONE BOOKS!

The telephone book recycling contest for students at participating public and private schools in Allegany County will be held again this year according to Terry A. Bennett, Allegany County Government Recycling Coordinator. This is sponsored by the Allegany County Commissioners and the Allegany County Board of Education.

All out-of-date telephone books can be recycled. Ms. Bennett wants to alert all individuals and businesses to save old telephone books. Schools and students will be happy to have each and every telephone book – citizens should check with their favorite school about participation. This contest helps the environment because valuable landfill space is not utilized for old telephone books. In addition, all material can be recycled and reused to manufacture additional desirable items.

The contest kicks-off when the distribution of new telephone books begins by Verizon/March 2007 for Allegany County, Maryland; officially, the contest begins on March 15, 2007. All telephone books must be collected and reported to qualify for this year’s telephone book recycling contest on or before April 30, 2007.

The contest is based on a ratio of the total number of telephone books collected to the total number of students enrolled in the entire school/in the specific class.

There are four prizes: one for the school collecting the highest number of telephone books per students and three for the classes collecting the highest number of telephone books per student. The three class prizes are won by classes from three different schools, including classes from the top school.

The top school is awarded a two hundred dollar cash prize. The top school also is given the proceeds from the sale of all of the recycled telephone books. The total value of the telephone book recycling contest to the top school is approximately $500. The first-place class wins a pizza party. The second and third-place classes win an ice cream party.

The top school and the first-place class will be recognized by the Allegany County Commissioners in a pubic meeting in May.

Telephone books may also be recycled at the Allegany County Office Complex, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland, Maryland. A recycling bin is located in the rear parking lot.

The telephone recycling contest is one component of Allegany County’s successful recycling program. In addition to recycling the standard newspapers, cans, glass, plastic and other materials, Allegany County has recently initiated electronic recycling (e-cycling) for computers, etc. Ms. Bennett is available to speak with school groups, civic organizations, etc. about the recycling program in Allegany County. For information about the telephone book recycling contest and all aspects of recycling in Allegany County contact Ms. Bennett, 301-777-5933 E210.

Site Work Begins at the Allegany Business Center at Frostburg State University

Frostburg State University President Jonathan Gibralter and the Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis,are pleased to announce that site work is underway at the Allegany Business Center at Frostburg State University.

The ABC@FSU Park, located on the campus of Frostburg State University, was funded through the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the State of Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Allegany County Commissioners.

Allegany Research Properties, LLC, a private development company, has submitted a proposal to the County and the University to construct/develop the first building in the ABC@FSU Park. Technologically-oriented enterprises are the target tenants for the projected 50,000 square feet of office space. The tenants will work in conjunction with the University through collaborative agreements and sharing of resources.

“I am grateful for the support of the Allegany County Commissioners in stepping up their efforts in support of developing this extremely valuable resource for the benefit of both the University and the community at large,” said FSU President Jonathan Gibralter. “I declared ABC@FSU to be one of my early priorities, and I am happy to see our collective efforts bearing fruit. Frostburg State University will continue to treat as a priority its role in the forefront of the economic development of the region.”

Allegany County Director of Economic Development Matthew W. Diaz stated:

“We are pleased to be able to move into this first phase of development at the ABC@FSU Park with our partners at Frostburg State University, and look forward to moving toward the construction of the first building in the park.”

James J. Stakem, President of the Allegany County Board of Commissioners, reflected on this project: “The Allegany County Commissioners want to acknowledge the significant contributions of Frostburg State University, the State of Maryland, and Allegany Research Properties, LLC. We are pleased that site work is underway at the ABC@FSU Park. This is certainly important to economic development.”

For additional information about the Allegany Business Center at Frostburg State University, contact the Allegany County Department of Economic Development, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2803, 301-777-5967, 800-555-4080, www.alleganyworks.org.