David W. Fletcher Incubator + Labs

HCC to host Spark! Forward celebration

The Incubators + Labs at Hagerstown Community College will host a Spark! Forward celebration for Heavy Branch Cider on October 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies (CBES) building at HCC.

The event will celebrate the accomplishments of David W. Fletcher Business Incubator members and owners of Heavy Branch Cider, Paul and Cyd Maubert, as they complete their first year in the program. The Mauberts will discuss future business plans, and Paul will give a tour of the lab where the cider is made. Sample tastings will also be available.

“Paul and Cyd have worked hard this year to grow their business, and ‘Spark! Forward’ is our way of honoring that hard work,” said Maureen Kolb, director of the Incubators + Labs at HCC. “This event is about coming together as a community to celebrate success and plan for the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Heavy Branch Cider is a premium craft hard cider company based in Hagerstown, Maryland. Founded in 2024, the brand is known for its balanced, ultra-dry, naturally sparkling profile and dedication to quality. Heavy Branch Cider is preparing for its regional debut in fall 2025, with initial distribution to restaurants, entertainment venues, and select retailers.

The David W. Fletcher Incubator + Labs and the Culinary Incubator are centers dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses by providing various resources and services designed to help them grow and succeed. Services include mentorship, training, office space, commercial kitchen space, networking opportunities, and business development resources. The mission of HCC’s incubators is to inspire entrepreneurship and enhance small businesses as the owners learn, leverage, and launch into Washington County.

To learn more about Heavy Branch Cider, contact Cyd Maubert at cyd.maubert@heavybranchcider.com. To learn more about The Incubators + Labs at HCC, visit https://incubatorhcc.com.

(September 11, 2025)