The Deep Creek Lake RESORT REPORT
Wisp resort offers insight into resort UpgraDes in this issUe...
DEEP CREEk LakE CELEbRaTES CEnTEnniaL in 2025
DCL CeLebrates
reCentLY soLD propertY Listings
LoCaL anD state inCentives for bUsinesses remembering agent terrY boggs
LoCaL happenings anD neWs...
100 Years in 2025 UpComing
Join us at Deep Creek Lake this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the lake! A special Deep Creek Centennial committee has been hard at work to create several events throughout the year to help celebrate this milestone. Events include trivia nights, lecture series, local displays, a gala, and even a water-skiing show! You can find a list of events, read more about local history, and view photographs from the last 100 years on their website, www.DCL100.com.
At Railey Realty & Railey Vacations, we’re proud to uphold the Railey family legacy, which dates back to the early days of Deep Creek Lake. C.M. Railey was a logger in the area and was contracted to help remove the trees in the soon-to-be lakebed. For his service, he was able to acquire what would become the Lakeside Park, in addition to other lakefront and lake area real estate. After the lake was filled, the Railey family opened the Lakeside Park, the Stone Tavern Restaurant, the Railey General Store, and would go on to build the first vacation rental cabins in the area, the Railey Cottages. C.M. Railey’s son James, known by friends and locals as ‘Rail,’ would take up his father’s business renting cabins with his wife Violet ‘Sis,’ and later open Railey Realty in 1974.
As the lake celebrates 100 years, and Railey Realty celebrates 50 years, we’re honored to be part of the Deep Creek Lake community and share in the storied history of this beautiful place.
YOuR 1ST ChOiCE in REaL ESTaTE
This past winter, Wisp Resort invited members of the community for an exclusive tour of snowmaking operations with general manager Ron Hawkes. These tours offered an intimate setting for candid questions and open discussions with Wisp Resort personnel to better understand how the snowmaking systems work and the steps the resort takes to create a great experience for skiers.
Early in the 2024/25 season, Wisp Resort replaced the pumps located on Marsh Hill Rd that pump water from the lake into the holding pond and reservoir below the pumphouse. When snowmaking is running at full capacity, they use 15,500 gallons per minute, which is far more than many local resorts. A common misconception is that the holding pond must be full for snowmaking, and that a ‘low’ pond may signal a problem with pumps. In fact, the opposite is true; a low water level in the holding pond means water pumped from the lake is being fed to the underground reservoir at a quicker rate.
Wisp Resort uses a combination of snowmaking guns, sticks, and portable guns. The snowmaking equipment on MainStreet is original to the slope, same for the snowmaking in North Camp. While these systems are functioning and produce high quality snow, they are not the ‘latest and greatest’ and there are some minor quirks or issues.
For example, the snow sticks on MainStreet need only water to run, but the temperature must be 18 degrees or lower for them to produce. The snow sticks in North Camp are somewhat newer, but no longer manufactured, so when they break down, they’re broken down for good. At the time, North Camp was given state-of-the-art equipment as part of a deal with the manufacturer.
New snow guns and sticks have been added alongside the front of the mountain and new snowmaking wire and pipe have been laid out in East Ridge with plans to continue replacing outdated systems with newer models. The portable guns are incredibly heavy and very difficult to move. Their placement and use
is very strategic and moving even one portable gun to a new slope can take several hours.
Of the many rumors addressed during the tour, maybe the most important to note is that Wisp Resort does take time to thoroughly test water lines and address issues during the ‘off’ season. They spend time and money on preventative maintenance when they can, but as anyone who owns a car or appliance knows, things often break without warning. Wisp Resort and Pacific Group are dedicated to keeping the resort running at its highest capacity. Leaks of any kind are unfortunate, but most of them do not directly impact snowmaking for the rest of the mountain.
We are grateful for the transparency and effort Wisp Resort provided and commend them on another stellar season! With 100+ inches of snow falling coupled with hundreds of hours of snowmaking, the resort was able to stay open through mid-March. We look forward to another great season next year!
The Deep Creek Lake Resort Report
LOCaL & STaTE inCEnTivES fOR buSinESSES LOOking TO ExPanD
Our local county government recently highlighted incentives to businesses looking to expand or relocate to our area. While the Southern Business Park, located in Oakland, is officially full, vacancies remain in the McHenry and Grantsville Business Parks. The business park pad sites generally have utilities already to site. For those looking to purchase a commercial site elsewhere, the county has made it easy to find available spaces on their website at business.garrettcountymd.gov under ‘Available Sites’ tab.
Below are the available opportunities offered through both local and state programs.
Opportunity Zones were enacted as part of the 2017 tax reform package (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) to address uneven economic recovery and persistent lack of growth. The incentive is designed to encourage long-term, private investments in low-income census tracts by providing a federal tax incentive for taxpayers who reinvest unrealized
capital gains into Opportunity Zones. The incentive is deferral, reduction, and potential elimination of certain federal capital gains taxes.
More Jobs for Marylanders: MJM promotes the growth of manufacturing in Maryland by providing tax incentives for manufacturing job creation, encourages manufacturers to invest in new equipment through accelerated and bonus depreciation, and funds job training and apprenticeship programs to help strengthen Maryland’s workforce. In 2019, the tax credit program was expanded to non-manufacturers that locate or expand in Opportunity Zones.
Garrett County has two Enterprise Zones: (1) the Southern Garrett Enterprise Zone comprised of the County’s Southern Garrett Industrial Park and Southern Garrett Business & Technology Park; and (2) the Northern Garrett Enterprise Zone comprised of the County’s Northern Garrett Industrial Park. Businesses located in an Enterprise
REmEmbERing RaiLEY REaLTY agEnT TERRY bOggS
We are saddened to announce that long-time local real estate agent Terry Boggs passed away in April 2025. Terry will always be remembered for his kind spirit and
LOCaL haPPEningS anD nEWS…
NEW Affinity Wellness Studio opens in downtown Oakland. The studio offers specialty esthetician care including facials, waxing, lash and brow services, assisted stretching, and more! Services can be booked online at affinity. glossgenius.com.
Oakland Area Coffee Shop
Expanding Oakland area coffee hot spot ‘Black Hawk Coffee’ will be expanding their business and opening a new location in the lake
caring nature. He was the first to help out anyone in need, and told a story with a flair few can imitate. He will be greatly missed at Railey Realty and in our community!
Zone may be eligible for income tax and real property tax credits (see below) in return for job creation and investments.
County Business Property Tax Program: The Board of Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland, acting under the authority of legislation adopted by the State of Maryland, implemented the County Business Property Tax Incentive Program for new and expanding businesses in Garrett County for improvements reflected on tax bills after June 30, 2007. The new improvement must increase the tax assessment on the improvements to the property by at least $100,000 to qualify for the incentive.
These are just a few of the incentives and programs offered in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake. If you’re interested in learning more about these programs, you can visit Garrett County’s Business Developement Website https:// business.garrettcountymd.gov/ .
area! Black Hawk Coffee offers coffee, lunch specials, sweet treats, and breakfast.
Now Open! The brand new Oakland Area Shop ‘N Save is now open! This new building is more than double the size of the previous building across the street.
NEW Blair at the Lake Menswear will open soon in McHenry. Located in The Fort, the store will offer a wide variety of men’s clothing and accessories.
Upcoming Events....
Memorial Day – May 26
Fire on the Mountain - July 4
Victorian Chautauqua - July 12
Art in the Park - Early-Mid July
Garrett Co. Fair - July 26-Aug. 2
Mtn MD Dragon Boat Fest. Aug 23
DCL 100th Gala - Aug 23
Labor Day - Sept. 1
Art & Wine Festival - Sept. 13
