In 2006, the Board of County Commissioners recognized that the county’s future economic well-being was dependent on having an educated, skilled workforce that is prepared to compete successfully for jobs in an increasingly competitive, global economy. For this primary reason, the Garrett County Scholarship Program was created.

Recognizing that the county’s most important asset is its young people, the program provides current Garrett County high school graduates equal access to post-secondary education and an equal opportunity for advancement. The goal of this program is to encourage graduates of Garrett County to participate in post-secondary education and training as a means of improving their earning power and quality of life. The immediate objective is for these graduates to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities by making an education affordable in terms of both time and money.

For many, the cost of education and training is a barrier to advancement. The Board of Garrett County Commissioners proposed a bold initiative to encourage residents of Garrett County to enhance their credentials and skills so that they can be the primary beneficiaries of the county’s economic future. With a more highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce, incomes in Garrett County will rise, and more young people will be able to remain in Garrett County, leading prosperous and productive lives.