Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
2012 — OAKLAND — Garrett County has sold its Maryland Economic Development Corp. building, located at the Southern Garrett Business and Technology Park, to GCC Technologies LLC for $1.15 million, the county commissioners announced Tuesday.
“This is a big deal,” said Jim Hinebaugh, director of economic development, who thanked Jim Bailey, managing member and president of GCC, and Shirley Bailey, chief operating officer of GCC, for their investment. “GCC is a great model for economic development in a rural area.”
The 30,000-square foot building was sold for the same price paid by the county when it purchased the building from MEDCo in December, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator.
“The proceeds from the sale to GCC Tech will be returned to the unassigned fund balance,” said Pagenhardt in an email to the Times-News. “We actually borrowed the funds to purchase the building from the unassigned fund balance (our reserves).”
GCC purchased the building with funding provided by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, according to a press release.
“The purchase of this building fits well within our business plan and it’s certainly going to help us continue the growth pattern which I think we have had over the last few years,” said Jim Bailey.
GCC Tech started in 2007 on the Garrett College campus with 17 employees and has since grown to more than 200 employees, with 100 from the county, according to Hinebaugh.
Jobs with GCC range from senior business analyst to information technology specialist, according to Jim Bailey.
“We are offering, I believe, one of the most competitive salaries that you can find in Garrett County as well as a very good benefits program,” said Jim Bailey. “This wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the support we have received from the local government, the economic development department that Jim has headed up.”
Over the next few weeks, GCC Tech will be awarding a contract for a build-out of the MEDCo building so GCC can consolidate and move in there, said Jim Bailey.
“We anticipate that build-out will take six months and that build-out will include employment of Garrett County employees,” said Jim Bailey. “We are excited about the growth opportunity here in the county and we make a commitment that we are going to continue that growth.”
GCC provides a wide range of technical and support services, including information technology, acquisition management, contract management, program management, training, studies and analysis and administrative support, according to Hinebaugh.
The GCC building located within the county mainly serves the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to Bailey.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
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