A Lifestyle to Love

Whether they’re starting careers or growing families, our professionals value affordability, advancement and amenities for work and play. From local food to live music, bike trails to boutiques, the scene—and scenery—are equally stellar.

Outdoor recreation energizes our workforce. A setting enriched by mountains, lakes, ski slopes and state parks offers four seasons of adventure. Our festivals and farmers’ markets, views and brews attract people craving active lifestyles and career advancement.

Advancement Abounds

Engineering, IT and advanced manufacturing capabilities are in demand along I-68. STEM occupations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland have been on the rise for the last decade, and skilled talent is sought-after by employers. From defense to R&D, our companies and higher education collaborations deliver steady jobs and opportunities for growth.

Continuing education is key to career advancement. Graduate and certificate programs at WVU and Frostburg State University fuel career growth on a flexible basis. Certifications and specialized training at Allegany, Garrett and Potomac State Colleges are affordable and driven by workforce needs.

First-Time Homebuyers in Focus

Access to affordable housing is critical to workforce development. Many counties along our corridor feature desirable homes priced below the national average—and award-winning schools to boot. From townhouses near the slopes to family homes in historic downtowns, options and financing opportunities abound.

Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland enthusiastically encourage first-time homeownership. The Pennsylvania Home Finance Agency offers first-time homebuyers 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages and support with down payments and closing costs. The West Virginia Housing Development Fund offers similar first-time incentives and financing up to 100% of the purchase price. For growing families, the Movin’ Up Program supports qualified buyers who’ve outgrown their current residences. Sharing this commitment to affordable housing, the Maryland Mortgage Program offers 30 year, fixed rate mortgages to first-time buyers. If college loan debt is an obstacle, the SmartBuy program helps buyers fold debt into the purchase of the home.

Federal lending from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veteran’s Affairs (VA) offer attractive incentives, subject to eligibility. Designed to encourage homeownership in rural areas, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program offers financing assistance along our corridor.