CEDC Awarded Grant from the George C. Edwards Fund to Attract Aerospace/Defense Employer
The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the award of a $100,000 grant from the Senator George C. Edwards Fund to create a financial incentive package to attract the aerospace/defense engineering firm, SPARC Research, to western Maryland.
SPARC Research, headquartered in Warrenton, Virginia is a growing engineering services company dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in solid rocket and airbreathing propulsion and related technologies. SPARC sees value and opportunity for business and strategic growth by establishing satellite engineering operations in Cumberland to facilitate partnerships and collaboration with other aerospace/defense contractors and institutions of higher learning in the region.
“We are honored to receive this grant from the George C. Edwards Fund,” said Matt Miller, Executive Director of the CEDC. “This support will enable us to attract SPARC, with the larger goal of attracting other businesses within the aerospace/defense industry to Cumberland - backed by our robust higher education partners, quality of life, and proximity to Washington, D.C.”
SPARC Research President Matt Cornwell commented, “SPARC would like to thank Matt Miller of the CEDC for his hard work in helping to make our Phase One expansion a reality. As a rapidly growing aerospace small business, we are excited about this opportunity to bring high tech jobs to my native Cumberland, Maryland, and look forward to what’s in store for our future there.”
Tom Moore, SPARC Vice President and site manager for the new office, said, “With three local employees already on staff, SPARC is looking forward to making the beautiful Rosenbaum Building in Cumberland’s Historic City Center our new SPARC West home. We are committed to developing and hiring local STEM talent through partnerships with West Virginia University, Frostburg State University, and Allegany College of Maryland, more specifically through their Western Maryland Works makerspace.”
"Economic growth is the key to Maryland's prosperity. We must continue investing in high-tech industries of the future that will help unlock our full potential - including aerospace and defense," said Gov. Moore. "Bringing SPARC Research to Western Maryland will create jobs, leverage our highly-educated talent pool, and drive economic growth. We are grateful for the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and the George C. Edwards Fund for supporting this project and creating new opportunities for Marylanders.”
The Senator George C. Edwards Fund is a four-year, $50 million program designed to spur economic growth across Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties by investing in infrastructure and business development projects. Established in 2022, the Fund prioritizes projects that create sustainable jobs, improve infrastructure, and attract private investment to the region. Over the past two years, the Fund has supported projects totaling $290.1 million in economic value through $36.8 million in grant funding, with over $18.4 million awarded in 2024 alone.
"We are happy to support the CEDC, the City of Cumberland and SPARC Research's expansion to Baltimore Street. These high-paying jobs will be a great addition to our community." Said Jake Shade, Executive Director of the Senator Edwards Fund.
About the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation
The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is a registered Maryland non-profit economic development organization focused on the betterment of the Cumberland region and is headquartered in the City of Cumberland, Maryland. The CEDC is overseen by a board of directors composed of established business leaders and staffed by professionals with years of economic development experience and education.
