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County reallocates makerspace proceeds to Allegany College of Maryland to restore state funding
Summary
The county finalized transfer of the Western Maryland Works makerspace to Allegany College of Maryland and agreed to reallocate $833,186 received from the college to help the school recoup state funding lost after budget cuts; incoming college president David Jones called the deal a 'win-win.'
Allegany County commissioners confirmed the county closed on the transfer of the Western Maryland Works makerspace to Allegany College of Maryland and approved reallocating funds received from the college back to the institution to restore state grant eligibility and budget stability.
County staff reported the college paid $833,186 in connection with the transfer. Staff said returning previously expended county makerspace funds to the college would let the college leverage roughly $333,000 in state dollars that were cut when the college’s budget was reduced earlier this year. David Jones, identified as the incoming president of Allegany College of Maryland, said the transaction "reimburses us" and allows the college to retain state funding it otherwise would have lost.
Commissioners praised the solution as a largely transactional step that had minimal net cost to the county (staff described it as a reallocation of received funds) and voted to approve the budget amendment and related items.
County staff also noted the college had been operating the building for several years and the transfer formalizes existing arrangements while allowing the college to pursue additional state support and program delivery.
The board adopted the motion by voice vote. Staff said a separate schedule with the exact dollar amounts for each impacted position and line item was provided to commissioners.
