CUMBERLAND: A committee will be established to examine hundreds of applications from people who are interested in relocating to Queen City. The goal of the pilot program, according to Cumberland officials, is to expand the region’s “talented workforce,” boost economic opportunities, and enhance city housing.
A $10,000 relocation incentive was available for a limited period of time to those who relocated to Cumberland. Additionally, a $10,000 “dollar for dollar match” was offered for authorized repairs to an existing property or as a down payment on a newly constructed house inside the city limits.
Overburned with applications
The Choose Cumberland Relocation Program has had “colossal success” in terms of interest, according to Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka on Tuesday. Launched in late August, the plan is marketed by the city as a service for individuals who live outside of Allegany County, work remotely, or are planning to move to Cumberland for employment.
According to Davis-Rogers, those selected for the program will have six months to purchase a home, after which they will be eliminated from consideration and replaced by another candidate.Officials from the city will examine the applications they received now that the application time has ended.
The city’s website said, “Many applicants will not be able to move on to the next phase of the selection process due to the fact that we received more applications than funding.” “We certainly hope to secure more funding in the future to carry out this program.” According to Silka, municipal officials were “overburdened with applications” as of Tuesday.
He stated that after reviewing the applications, interviews with the top 20 finalists will take place to learn additional details. That list will be “whittled down” to 10 applicants who will have Zoom interviews, Silka said.Laurie Marchini and Rock Cioni of the Cumberland City Council offered their services to be on a committee that would evaluate the applicants. Silka remarked, “Hopefully we’ll have it done by the holidays.”