Cradle-to-Career Education & Workforce Alignment: The Greater Hagerstown Committee is leading a community-wide effort to better align education with workforce needs through a Cradle-to-Career framework focused on increasing postsecondary attainment and career readiness. Building on its role in launching OnTrack Washington County, GHC now convenes leaders across education, business, nonprofit, and government sectors to identify gaps and implement solutions. Through the Education Summit and a data-driven readiness report, this work is helping connect classroom learning to real-world career pathways and strengthen long-term workforce outcomes.

7th Grade Career Exploration Day: Supports stronger connections between students and the workforce by partnering with WCPS, HCC, and the Chamber to expand career exposure opportunities. Efforts like the annual 7th Grade Career Exploration Day bring local professionals into classrooms to share real-world insights and highlight in-demand careers. This work helps students better understand their options while supporting employers in building a future talent pipeline.

GHC Education Forum: Continued to facilitate bi-monthly roundtable with the top officials of our educational institutions in the community to discuss educational and workforce issues. Implements specific courses of action designed to have a positive impact on employment and education in the Greater Hagerstown area and mobilize specialty task forces when needed.

Michael G Callas Memorial New Educators Reception: organizes and hosts this annual event as a part of WCPS’s Teacher Induction Week to connect new educators with local businesses and community resources they can use in their personal and professional lives, strengthening early relationships and community integration.

Education System & Policy Support: GHC plays an ongoing role in supporting education planning and policy by engaging with WCPS, HCC, MSOM, PIA, WCFL, and USMH on strategic priorities. This includes providing feedback on planning efforts, supporting grant applications, and advocating for investments in school infrastructure. These efforts help ensure the education system remains aligned with workforce needs and community goals.

I-81 Widening Advocacy & Transportation Investment: GHC continues to advocate for the advancement and funding of the I-81 widening project and other key transportation priorities that support regional mobility, safety, and economic growth. This includes collaboration with local, state, and regional partners to elevate Washington County’s infrastructure needs.

Transportation & Legislative Infrastructure Advocacy: GHC participates in statewide and regional transportation discussions, including MDOT engagement opportunities and legislative advocacy efforts, to help promote fair funding, project prioritization, and long-term infrastructure investment throughout the region.

Emergency Services & Public Safety Infrastructure Awareness: GHC works with local leadership and public safety officials to elevate awareness of challenges facing fire, EMS, and emergency response systems, including workforce recruitment, funding sustainability, modernization, and long-term infrastructure needs.

Water, Sewer & Growth Infrastructure Coordination: GHC engages in ongoing discussions surrounding water, sewer, school capacity, and growth infrastructure planning to help ensure the region is prepared for future residential, workforce, and economic development needs.

Airport & Regional Transportation Support: GHC supports discussions and advocacy efforts related to airport development, air service sustainability, and broader regional transportation infrastructure that strengthen economic competitiveness and connectivity throughout the region.

Tourism, Arts & Destination Infrastructure Development: GHC supports efforts to strengthen and expand the region’s tourism, arts, and destination infrastructure by encouraging collaboration among community partners, cultural organizations, local governments, and economic development stakeholders. This includes supporting projects and initiatives related to sports tourism, downtown attractions, trails, museums, visitor amenities, entertainment venues, and arts and cultural assets that enhance quality of life, attract visitors, and contribute to regional economic growth.

Downtown Business Activation & Community Engagement: GHC organizes and supports events, networking opportunities, and business engagement activities that encourage foot traffic, strengthen local businesses, and promote vibrancy within Downtown Hagerstown and surrounding city centers.

CHOICE Neighborhoods & Housing Revitalization Engagement: GHC participates in the Hagerstown Housing Authority’s CHOICE Neighborhoods planning process and broader housing discussions focused on neighborhood revitalization, mixed-income housing, and workforce housing strategies. This work supports long-term efforts to strengthen housing opportunities and improve neighborhood stability.

GHC supports efforts to connect, strengthen, and expand the region’s tourism assets. This includes supporting initiatives tied to sports tourism, cultural tourism, eco-tourism, heritage tourism, and agri-tourism that enhance the visitor experience and promote Washington County and the surrounding region as a destination to live, work, and visit

Downtown Business Support & Activation: Supports downtown businesses through programming and events that drive activity and engagement. Initiatives such as business seminars, Dine Downtown events, and investor roundtables create opportunities for collaboration, support entrepreneurs, and encourage continued investment in the city center.

My Downtown Hagerstown 10-Year Plan Engagement & Implementation Support: GHC actively participates in discussions surrounding the My Downtown Hagerstown 10-Year Plan by providing stakeholder feedback, facilitating member engagement, and helping identify practical strategies that support long-term revitalization efforts. Through the Downtown Enhancement Committee and broader membership discussions, GHC reviews recommendations related to economic development, housing, infrastructure, public spaces, safety, business growth, and downtown activation while identifying areas where the organization and its members can help support implementation.

Washington County Community Coalition & Legislative Advocacy: As a key partner in the Washington County Community Coalition, GHC helps coordinate advocacy efforts that advance shared priorities at the state level. Through initiatives like Day in Annapolis and direct engagement with elected officials, GHC supports a unified voice that has helped secure significant funding for local projects.