The very first reception was held on February 1, 1977, in Annapolis, Maryland. Newspaper accounts stated that approximately 400 people attended this event, including then Governor Marvin Mandel and roughly 75 county residents. Governor Mandel stated, "Such receptions are effective in that Legislators and other State officials learn the needs of a county and get an opportunity to meet local leaders." Also in attendance at this inaugural reception were two future governors: then Secretary of Transportation, Harry Hughes, and then Mayor of Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer.

The primary objective of that first event was to educate state leaders on the need for the completion of the National Freeway, Route 48. A huge map depicting the uncompleted section of highway provided the backdrop for the evening. During the years that have followed the Reception has been used as a venue to pursue other key legislative initiatives and funding. Projects like the Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, Canal Parkway, Western Correctional Institution, Allegheny Highlands Trail, One Maryland Program, the new science center at Frostburg State University, flood mitigation funding, new libraries in Frostburg and Lonaconing and a new U.S. 220 North are among the specific requests highlighted at past receptions.

January 2001 marked a new era in the ongoing effort to promote Western Maryland to the leadership of our State Government. For 24 consecutive years, the Allegany County PACE Reception focused strictly on the needs of Allegany County. Off and on for nearly a decade, the Garrett County Legislative Breakfast attempted the same effort on behalf of Garrett County.

Beginning in 2001, new ideas were developed to address two key issues. First, there was the recognized desire to expand the growing regional cooperation between Allegany and Garrett Counties in order to leverage each County's individual positive attributes into a greater attraction. Second, there was the stated desire to attract more members of the General Assembly and the Governor's Cabinet to each event.

Hence, Mountain Maryland PACE was born. The Mountain Maryland PACE Reception is sponsored by the Cumberland/Allegany County Industrial Foundation, a private not-for-profit entity that has partnered with Allegany County government since 1964, and the Garrett County Development Corporation, which works hand-in-hand with Garrett County government to support economic development progress. The result is a two-event program that begins with the reception on Thursday evening followed by the legislative breakfast on Friday morning. The combination of these two events is intended to reach more leadership more effectively.

The reception includes corporate trade show type displays. A number of key firms are selected each year to be displayers and to carry the message of the corporate character of the community. The focus is intended to convey a message of the diversity of the community's economic base and the quality of the companies located in Mountain Maryland.

In addition to the corporate displays, the Counties develop a central display designed to convey the theme of the reception and the specific legislative or funding issues for that year. This effort is bolstered by the providing of "issues cards" to locals attending the event so that they can communicate with State leaders one-on-one about specific projects and needs.

Each year the reception serves as an important tool in making Maryland's political leadership aware of the needs and the specific requests of Mountain Maryland. This effort is vital when it comes time for Senate or House Committee to decide which program to fund or which project to include in the budget. The reception provides our Delegation with a strong show of local support for issues they are pressing in Annapolis and the results have been impressive.

The basic reasons for holding the reception remain as valid today as they did in 1977. Both counties have a tremendous story to tell and Annapolis has a great deal of good Marylanders who need to hear it. Mountain Maryland PACE needs your participation to insure the success of these events in the future.

These events are held each year due to the generous support and participation of numerous companies and individuals. Without this continued dedication, these events could not be held.