In the Hagerstown area and neighboring West Virginia, where the eastern panhandle is experiencing explosive growth, there is a focus on small business driving the economy. Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman has her finger on the pulse of commerce in both large and small communities. “I love hearing how much small business operators love doing business with their local customers,” she said. “We are a large region here in the State of Maryland so we always look forward to working with our neighbors in West Virginia and surrounding communities.”