While Spartanburg County has benefited repeatedly from agency spending, no county has received more grants than Allegany County, Md. - 261. In the 1990s, much of the money from 33 grants has gone to promote tourism in its county seat, Cumberland. It's an important piece of the puzzle. From his office, Pfefferkorn watches the scenic railroad snake north along a creek, noting the full parking lot nearby. Someday, he hopes to see mules pulling canal boats loaded with tourists.
More attractions mean more jobs.
Cumberland has seen thousands of jobs leave since the 1970s because of plant closures, including Kelly-Springfield tires, the city's flagship company. A lot of kids want to stay here but are forced to leave because of a lack of jobs. It's tough to find a decent job here. The economic struggles of Cumberland perhaps are no different from what Youngstown, Ohio, faced trying to redefine itself after losing many jobs in manufacturing. But Youngstown had freeways.