Thursday, April 29, 2010
Frederick County Progress Report
The "Economic Glass" is more than half full in Frederick County. OED's new publication is currently being mailed to thousands of businesses by The Daily Record. If you don't receive a hard copy, call us ... or, check it out online: http://tinyurl.com/28f2eh6
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit Available
Governor Martin O'Malley recently signed into law the Job Creation and Recovery Tax Credit (JCRTC) offering Maryland businesses a $5,000 tax credit for every unemployed Marylander hired. For more information about the program, visit: www.dllr.maryland.gov/taxcredit/jcrtcflyer.pdf
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Frederick Reverse Procurement Fair
The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center is hopping this morning! Business people are flocking to the FREE Frederick Reverse Procurement Fair, hosted by the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development and the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. The event continues until Noon today. (Walk-ins are welcomed!)Talk one-on-one with purchasing representatives from local government and some of Frederick's largest employers. Network and learn how your business can benefit from these local business opportunities.
Exhibitors in
clude: City of Frederick Government, Frederick County Government, Fort Detrick Business Development Office, Fairchild Controls, SAIC-Frederick, Frederick Community College, Waste Management, MDRecycles.org - Business to Business Recycling, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Memorial Hospital and Bechtel.
Monday, April 19, 2010
County Selected to Receive Project Sunburst Grant
Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has notified the Frederick County Office of Environmental Sustainability that the county has been selected to receive $500,000 to install solar photovoltaic systems on Oakdale and Linganore High Schools. The award was made from the Maryland Energy Administration’s Project Sunburst Initiative.
President Jan Gardner of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners noted, “We are delighted to receive this special award as part of our environmental sustainability program. Project Sunburst makes solar a reality for Frederick County. This is a huge step forward for our schools and our county, and moves us toward a promising future of reliable, affordable, clean energy for our citizens.”
In 2007, the County Commissioners set a strategic plan goal to reduce the county’s use of non-renewable energy in its office buildings, vehicle fleet and facilities by 50% over a 15-year period. Seeing Project Sunburst as an opportunity to meet that goal, the board directed the Office of Environmental Sustainability to assemble the Frederick County Sunburst Partners Team in January 2010. The team was comprised of partners from Frederick County Government, Frederick Community College (FCC), Frederick County Public Schools and the Frederick County Sustainability Commission. In total, eight buildings were forwarded to the Maryland Energy Administration for consideration: Oakdale High School, Linganore High School, FCC’s Advanced Workforce Training Center, the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management Transfer Station, the Reich’s Ford Road Leachate Waste Water Treatment Plant, the New Design Road Water Treatment Plant, the Ballenger Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Potomac River Pump Station.
Project Sunburst builds on Frederick County Public Schools’ ongoing energy conservation efforts. Recent projects include replacement of inefficient lighting systems and poorly insulated windows and roofs in many buildings, installation of a geothermal heat-pump system at the new Earth Space Science Lab and installation of solar panels to operate a portable classroom at Oakdale Elementary School. The Lincoln Elementary School remodeling and expansion project, currently in the design phase, will be the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified elementary school in western Maryland.
"We are pleased to partner with Frederick County Government in realizing energy savings in two of our high schools,” said Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Linda Burgee. “The project will result in unique energy savings plus afford us an excellent opportunity to educate students and the public about alternative energy options and conservation." The high schools were selected due to their large, new roof structures and high demand for electricity. Both schools use approximately 3,750,000 kilowatt hours per year.
To learn more about sustainability programs in Frederick County, contact Director Hilari Varnadore, Office of Environmental Sustainability, at 301-600-7414 or via e-mail at hvaradore@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
President Jan Gardner of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners noted, “We are delighted to receive this special award as part of our environmental sustainability program. Project Sunburst makes solar a reality for Frederick County. This is a huge step forward for our schools and our county, and moves us toward a promising future of reliable, affordable, clean energy for our citizens.”
In 2007, the County Commissioners set a strategic plan goal to reduce the county’s use of non-renewable energy in its office buildings, vehicle fleet and facilities by 50% over a 15-year period. Seeing Project Sunburst as an opportunity to meet that goal, the board directed the Office of Environmental Sustainability to assemble the Frederick County Sunburst Partners Team in January 2010. The team was comprised of partners from Frederick County Government, Frederick Community College (FCC), Frederick County Public Schools and the Frederick County Sustainability Commission. In total, eight buildings were forwarded to the Maryland Energy Administration for consideration: Oakdale High School, Linganore High School, FCC’s Advanced Workforce Training Center, the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management Transfer Station, the Reich’s Ford Road Leachate Waste Water Treatment Plant, the New Design Road Water Treatment Plant, the Ballenger Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Potomac River Pump Station.
Project Sunburst builds on Frederick County Public Schools’ ongoing energy conservation efforts. Recent projects include replacement of inefficient lighting systems and poorly insulated windows and roofs in many buildings, installation of a geothermal heat-pump system at the new Earth Space Science Lab and installation of solar panels to operate a portable classroom at Oakdale Elementary School. The Lincoln Elementary School remodeling and expansion project, currently in the design phase, will be the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certified elementary school in western Maryland.
"We are pleased to partner with Frederick County Government in realizing energy savings in two of our high schools,” said Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Linda Burgee. “The project will result in unique energy savings plus afford us an excellent opportunity to educate students and the public about alternative energy options and conservation." The high schools were selected due to their large, new roof structures and high demand for electricity. Both schools use approximately 3,750,000 kilowatt hours per year.
To learn more about sustainability programs in Frederick County, contact Director Hilari Varnadore, Office of Environmental Sustainability, at 301-600-7414 or via e-mail at hvaradore@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
County Bond Refinancing Translates Into Savings
The Frederick Board of County Commissioners has approved the sale of General Obligation Refunding Bonds of 2010, Series C, totaling $79,365,000. Of the 14 bids received by financial investment firms, the winning bid went to Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. with a true interest cost of 2.519154 percent.
Proceeds will be used to refund $79,920,000 of 2005 General Obligation Bonds with 2010 – 2020 maturities. The original 2005 General Obligation Bond issue in the amount of $102,320,000 was used to provide funding for the Board of Education, Frederick Community College, roads and bridges, parks, solid waste facilities, water and sewer facilities, a parking deck and various general government facilities.
Board President Jan Gardner said, “We are very pleased with the result of this sale today that translates into savings for our taxpayers. This refinancing will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the bonds. The impressive number of bids we received is a reflection on the county’s good overall management and strong fiscal stewardship.” The county’s financial advisor, Sam Ketterman of Davenport & Co. LLC, added, “The number of bids and the very low interest rate reinforce the high regard that the municipal market has for Frederick County Government and its bonds.”
The refunding bonds have been rated AA+, Aa2, AA+ by FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. For more information, contact the Frederick County Finance Division at 301-600-1117.
Proceeds will be used to refund $79,920,000 of 2005 General Obligation Bonds with 2010 – 2020 maturities. The original 2005 General Obligation Bond issue in the amount of $102,320,000 was used to provide funding for the Board of Education, Frederick Community College, roads and bridges, parks, solid waste facilities, water and sewer facilities, a parking deck and various general government facilities.
Board President Jan Gardner said, “We are very pleased with the result of this sale today that translates into savings for our taxpayers. This refinancing will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the bonds. The impressive number of bids we received is a reflection on the county’s good overall management and strong fiscal stewardship.” The county’s financial advisor, Sam Ketterman of Davenport & Co. LLC, added, “The number of bids and the very low interest rate reinforce the high regard that the municipal market has for Frederick County Government and its bonds.”
The refunding bonds have been rated AA+, Aa2, AA+ by FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. For more information, contact the Frederick County Finance Division at 301-600-1117.
Frederick to Welcome Air Racers
The organizers of the 2010 Air Race Classic are in need of community liasions for teams flying in the air race which ends at the Frederick Municpal Airport on Thursday June 24th and Friday June 25th.
The racers will be in Frederick all weekend attending various events. Liasions will be matched up with one or more racers and be on-call to assist if needed and would be asked to provide a cell phone number to be available for any last minute requests or emergencies. Racers begin arriving at FDK (Frederick Airport) Thursday June 24th and finish June 25th, spending the next few days experiencing Frederick.
This exciting event starts in Fort Myers, Florida and ends in Historic Frederick at FDK, celebrating 100 years of licensed women pilots. For more information on the race, visit their website.
If you are interested in representing Frederick and assisting the racers as they visit our historic City, please contact the Frederick Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360.
The racers will be in Frederick all weekend attending various events. Liasions will be matched up with one or more racers and be on-call to assist if needed and would be asked to provide a cell phone number to be available for any last minute requests or emergencies. Racers begin arriving at FDK (Frederick Airport) Thursday June 24th and finish June 25th, spending the next few days experiencing Frederick.
This exciting event starts in Fort Myers, Florida and ends in Historic Frederick at FDK, celebrating 100 years of licensed women pilots. For more information on the race, visit their website.
If you are interested in representing Frederick and assisting the racers as they visit our historic City, please contact the Frederick Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360.
Monday, April 12, 2010
City Launches Survey for Golden Mile Plan
Frederick, MD -- The City of Frederick Planning Department has launched a survey for the Golden Mile Small Area Plan. The survey is available on the City’s website at www.cityoffrederick.com/goldenmilesurvey.
The survey website also contains a link to a comment map (www.cityoffrederick.com/cms/files/planning/map.php) where users can post comments about specific areas.
The City of Frederick is conducting a collaborative, community-based process to establish a vision for the Golden Mile; identify redevelopment opportunities; spur reinvestment on the corridor; and improve mobility for vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and transit users. Following a series of community workshops, the Golden Mile Small Area Plan will be presented to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for adoption.
Anyone who travels, shops, owns property or works along the Golden Mile is encouraged to submit their ideas and opinions about the Golden Mile / West Patrick Street corridor. Survey responses will be important in identifying issues and opportunities in this important commercial area, and providing a foundation for the Golden Mile Small Area Plan effort.
For more information about the plan, please visit the Golden Mile Small Area Plan website at www.cityoffrederick.com/goldenmile, or contact the City of Frederick Planning Department at areaplans@cityoffrederick.com or 301-600-1499.
The survey website also contains a link to a comment map (www.cityoffrederick.com/cms/files/planning/map.php) where users can post comments about specific areas.
The City of Frederick is conducting a collaborative, community-based process to establish a vision for the Golden Mile; identify redevelopment opportunities; spur reinvestment on the corridor; and improve mobility for vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and transit users. Following a series of community workshops, the Golden Mile Small Area Plan will be presented to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for adoption.
Anyone who travels, shops, owns property or works along the Golden Mile is encouraged to submit their ideas and opinions about the Golden Mile / West Patrick Street corridor. Survey responses will be important in identifying issues and opportunities in this important commercial area, and providing a foundation for the Golden Mile Small Area Plan effort.
For more information about the plan, please visit the Golden Mile Small Area Plan website at www.cityoffrederick.com/goldenmile, or contact the City of Frederick Planning Department at areaplans@cityoffrederick.com or 301-600-1499.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Talent Spotlight Features Local Job Candidates
As the economy improves and more businesses resume their hiring efforts, Frederick County Workforce Services is preparing to meet this demand by providing employers with qualified job candidates. Updated weekly, the FCWS Talent Spotlight showcases a diverse pool of prescreened, job-ready candidates with a variety of professional backgrounds. This resource is offered to employers at no cost. Free weekly subscriptions are also available. For more information, please contact mdouge@frederickcountymd.gov.
ESN Offers Free Business Counseling
On June 2nd, Frederick County businesses will have a rare opportunity to meet with a team of business support experts to receive answers and advice about their business operations, at no charge.The Frederick Entrepreneur Support Network (ESN) will present its first Experts and Answers business counseling event. The Network, a coalition of local non-profits and business support agencies, will team with private sector support professionals to provide concise, results oriented consultations.
Each business owner will meet with a carefully-assembled team. Each team will consist of a local accountant, attorney, banker, and other support professionals such as marketing consultants, insurance brokers, commercial real estate brokers, and economic developers. Specialized teams will be assembled for businesses in the agriculture, manufacturing, retail/foodservice, government contracting, and high-tech industries. Other teams will feature the wide-ranging business experience and expertise necessary to provide assistance to any type of business.
The event is expected to be particularly beneficial to pre-start and early-stage businesses, but all locally-owned Frederick County businesses are welcome to participate. Laurie Boyer, Executive Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, a leading supporter of the ESN, says “We think this is an exceptional opportunity for Frederick County entrepreneurs. In a half hour, they’ll be able to receive the kind of counseling that might take them several weeks and hundreds of dollars to arrange and receive.”
The event will be held at the Frederick Community College Conference Center (http://www.frederick.edu/our_campus/conferencecenter.aspx) on Wednesday, June 2nd, beginning at 9 am. Appointments will be scheduled on the half-hour between 9 am and noon. Preregistration is required.
To register, or receive more information, visit FrederickESN.org, or contact Helen Riddle at 301-600-1899 or HRiddle@FrederickCountyMD.com.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Ramar Moving Systems - A Great Local Company
Frederick, MD – A contingent of local officials today visited a 22 year old Frederick business. The visit and tour of Ramar Moving Systems, Inc., coordinated by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED), were part of OED’s long-established business retention program.
Ramar Moving, located at 28 Thomas Johnson Drive, has been in business since 1987 and has 42 full-time employees plus 30 independent drivers. Owner Howard Levine said the company plays a big part in the Frederick community. “We are a specialized and diversified business; we are very much involved in local road improvement and recycling issues.” Ramar Moving is an agent for United Van Lines and also has on-site record storage as well as mobile storage units.
Included in this morning’s visit and tour of the 36,000 square foot facility were: Frederick County Commissioner’s President Jan Gardner, Commissioner Blaine Young, City of Frederick Alderman Michael O’Connor and OED Executive Director Laurie Boyer.
For more information about Ramar Moving, please visit their website at http://www.ramarmoving.com/ or call 301-694-3366.
Photo caption: (L-R: Laurie Boyer, Alderman O’Connor, Howard Levine, Commissioner Gardner, Commissioner Young.)
Ramar Moving, located at 28 Thomas Johnson Drive, has been in business since 1987 and has 42 full-time employees plus 30 independent drivers. Owner Howard Levine said the company plays a big part in the Frederick community. “We are a specialized and diversified business; we are very much involved in local road improvement and recycling issues.” Ramar Moving is an agent for United Van Lines and also has on-site record storage as well as mobile storage units.
Included in this morning’s visit and tour of the 36,000 square foot facility were: Frederick County Commissioner’s President Jan Gardner, Commissioner Blaine Young, City of Frederick Alderman Michael O’Connor and OED Executive Director Laurie Boyer.
For more information about Ramar Moving, please visit their website at http://www.ramarmoving.com/ or call 301-694-3366.
Photo caption: (L-R: Laurie Boyer, Alderman O’Connor, Howard Levine, Commissioner Gardner, Commissioner Young.)