U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) announced last Friday that the Garrett County Board of Commissioners has received a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to improve the educational facilities of the Adventuresports Institute (ASI) of Garrett College.
In addition to the grant, the project will be locally funded at $279,024 and with an additional $50,000 in other federal funds.
“Tourism means jobs in western Maryland and across our great state,” Cardin said. “This grant is about equipping young professionals with the important skills they need to showcase the splendor of western Maryland’s natural resources. ARC’s federal-local partnership is investing together in Garrett County’s economy, while raising the bar for new levels of responsible, environmental stewardship.”
The Adventuresports Institute is a wholly owned operation of Garrett College. It was founded as part of a strategy to establish Garrett County as an adventure sport tourism leader. The area’s distinctive four-season climate and diverse geology are supportive of adventure recreation activities.
ASI works with public and private entities to train professionals and produce leaders in adventure sports and recreation industries who have a strong sense of environmental stewardship and community service.
“This federal funding is an important investment in Garrett County’s economic security and the vitality of Western Maryland,” said Mikulski. “These funds will help build an industry that keeps Marylanders on the job and encourages people to visit our state. Tourism spurs all parts of the economy – from the adventure sites to the food stands. I will keep fighting for smart federal investments in Maryland communities.”
She added that this grant comes at an opportune time as its beneficiaries will be instrumental in ensuring that the International Canoe Federation’s Canoe Slalom World Championship in 2014 at Deep Creek Lake is a success.
Cardin is chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, and Mikulski is chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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