by Kate Shunney
During their annual visit to Hancock to hold an evening meeting, the Washington County Baord of Commissioners opened their brief agenda of business by recognizing Hancock-area business Lanco Pennland for their recent successes and continuing growth.
Each year, Hancock’s mayor nominates an individual or business for recognition and this year it was the growing cheese manufacturing company.
Lanco employs 111 employees in three shifts at their cheese plant near the Pennsylvania line just north of Hancock.
The company was recently named a top 10 winner in multiple product categoris at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest held in March in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Pennland Pure came in seventh in the Monterey Jack category, third and fourth in the Mozzarella category, fifth in the Mild Provolone, fourth and ninth in the Aged ( one to three year) Cheddar category.
County officials thanked the cheese company for bringing attention to Washington County’s agricultural history and for its role in local economic development and employment.
Commissioner Wayne Keefer read a certificate that he then presented to company officials.
“We the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County, Maryland, hereby congratulates Pennland Pure on being ranked as one of the nation’s best at the recent U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. We applaud your top tiered results on several of your cheese products – Cheddar, Provolone, Monterey Jack and Whole Milk Mozzarella. Thank you for highlighting Hancock and Washington County’s rich agricultural community on the national stage,” Keefer said.
Commissioner Randall Wagner echoed Keefer’s words later in the meeting.
“Thank you to Pennland Pure for improving the economy of Hancock,” he said.
Commissioner Jeff Cline also singled out the company in his remarks later in the meeting for contributing to the economic development of the western end of the county.
Pennland Pure provided cheese samples for the county meeting, which attendees and county officials sampled after the 30-minute session. Local restaurant Shives Pizza prepared pizzas for after the meeting using Pennland Pure mozzarella.