Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank Open Coordinated Economic Relief Center in Cumberland
CUMBERLAND, MD (March 12, 2027) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien announced today the opening of a Coordinated Economic Relief Center (CERC) in Cumberland. The center will provide immediate access to the Governor's Economic Crisis Strike Force. The strike force coordinates state and local government and private sector services for the area's 2,000 recently displaced workers. Lieutenant Governor Burbank joined Governor O’Brien in Cumberland to dedicate the new center.“It gives me great pleasure to announce the opening of the Cumberland relief center,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “Many families in this area are facing real challenges through no fault of their own. We are proud of the extraordinary effort that state and local governments and non-profit groups have made in order to streamline the service process for the area's affected citizens.”
The Governor's Economic Crisis Strike Force was created by Executive Order shortly after the Governor took office. The Governor deployed the Strike Force to the area in February in response to closely timed layoffs of nearly 2,000 workers.
Area citizens affected by recent job losses can access the Cumberland CERC services on a walk-in basis at the center, located at 403 Maryland Avenue. They may also call the center's toll-free number at 1-888-439-3916. Both options will provide displaced workers and their families with a single point of entry for access to a full array of services including:
--Job opportunities with employers
--Assistance from private and non-profit organizations
--Assistance from church and mission-oriented organizations
--Intake for unemployment insurance claims
--Job search assistance services
--Dislocated worker services
--Monthly cash assistance payments
--Child and family health care insurance
--Assistance with emergency medical bills
--Child care assistance
--Food stamps
--Cash payments for fuel assistance
--Community college workforce training programs
--Job training programs.
Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said, “This center will provide immediate relief to displaced workers and connect them with the resources they need to find new jobs and continue to support themselves and their families.”
“We are all strongly committed to helping this community and any community that has suffered from an economic disruption or layoff,” said Ellen Lappesse, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. “I am so very proud of this effort and look forward to working with our local partners to make this a success.”