Laughlin said he does not plan to make significant changes to either the Laber's building or the North Potomac Street building the firm bought this month beyond stronger marketing efforts.
Deborah A. Everhart, director of economic development for the city, has watched Ridgecrest's progress with the Goodwill building and has been impressed with the company's interest in the city's revitalization.
"Of course, we're pleased to have an investor such as Ridgecrest come to this area," Everhart said. "Redevelopment of that (Goodwill) building that could've sat empty for an indefinite time was something we are really interested in seeing. I think they bring a product to the downtown area we are interested in having, and that is a business incubation."
Gaining from each other
When Ridgecrest bought the former armory in June, Laughlin said he planned to renovate the building and turn it into a business incubator with small suites and professional offices. The announcement followed a decision by the Cumberland Valley chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, which previously had bought the armory from the City of Hagerstown, to renovate the Broadway School instead and use it for its training center.
