Frederick, MD – Two downtown Frederick restaurants, Volt and The Tasting Room, scored extremely well in the 24th edition of the Zagat Survey – a poll of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD area eating establishments.
More than six-thousand diners were polled about their experiences; the survey covered 12-hundred restaurants in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The survey indicated that local diners eat out 2.6 times per week compared with Zagat’s 3.2 national average. With virtually no inflation, the average cost of a meal in the Washington area this year is $36 and $34 in the Baltimore area, bookending the U.S. average of $35.
Volt ranked second in the Top Food category, second in the Top Service category and third in the Most Popular category. The Tasting Room ranked sixth in the Top Food category (see lists below). In addition to these category winners, many Frederick area restaurants are Zagat rated and have favorable reviews.
“There was a time when Frederick area restaurants were scarcely reviewed by Zagat, but today there are over a dozen,” said John Fieseler, Executive Director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County. “Frederick is a significant regional dining destination where visitors know they can find unique settings and a variety of options,” he added. The first Frederick Restaurant Week was held in 2010, and a second event is planned for 2011 although dates have not been announced. For more information and survey results, visit http://www.zagat.com/.
Winners: This year’s survey winners across the major categories in the Baltimore-Frederick areas are as follow:
Top Food
1. Charleston
2. Volt
3. Prime Rib
4. Samos
5. Di Pasquale’s
6. Tasting Room
Top Service
1. Charleston
2. Volt
3. Prime Rib
4. Tersiqiel's
5. Linwoods
Most Popular
1. Woodberry Kitchen
2. Charleston
3. Volt
4. Cinghiale
5. Prime Rib
Friday, July 30, 2010
FDBDO Develops New Client Portal
The Fort Detrick Business Development Office (FDBDO) works to enhance collaboration between Fort Detrick, its mission partners, and the business community. In an effort to better support companies, both large and small, we have added the capability for companies to create and update their company profile in the FDBDO database. Users can now log on to http://register.fdbdo.com/ and create an account.
The more information we have on a company, the better equipped we are to find and send valuable federal contracting information to you. The addition of the portal will now give you the power to easily update changes to your company and to refine keywords and NAICS codes. You can also use the same address to register with the FDBDO and receive news, information and notices about training classes on federal contracting. Registrants will receive information about upcoming and current RFPs that match their profile.
The FDBDO is a federal contractor supporting USAMRAA. Starting April 2010, Beacon Associates, Inc. has assumed management of the FDBDO. Beacon Associates is an 8(a) certified, small woman-owned company headquartered in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.To update your profile, please go to http://register.fdbdo.com/
The more information we have on a company, the better equipped we are to find and send valuable federal contracting information to you. The addition of the portal will now give you the power to easily update changes to your company and to refine keywords and NAICS codes. You can also use the same address to register with the FDBDO and receive news, information and notices about training classes on federal contracting. Registrants will receive information about upcoming and current RFPs that match their profile.
The FDBDO is a federal contractor supporting USAMRAA. Starting April 2010, Beacon Associates, Inc. has assumed management of the FDBDO. Beacon Associates is an 8(a) certified, small woman-owned company headquartered in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.To update your profile, please go to http://register.fdbdo.com/
Friday, July 23, 2010
Local Scientist Recognized for Contributions in Technology Transfer
Dr. Thomas M. Stackhouse, PhD, Associate Chief for Frederick Operations for The National Cancer Institute of Frederick, was recently recognized as being a member of the Evaluator Panel for the Awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer for The Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for the 2010 FLC Awards.
Representing a cross section of federal laboratories, industry and academia, the members of the Evaluator Panel recognizes excellence in technology transfer.
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace. For industry and other technology seekers, the FLC Locator Network serves as a point of entry to federal laboratory expertise and technology.
Representing a cross section of federal laboratories, industry and academia, the members of the Evaluator Panel recognizes excellence in technology transfer.
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the nationwide network of federal laboratories that provides the forum to develop strategies and opportunities for linking laboratory mission technologies and expertise with the marketplace. For industry and other technology seekers, the FLC Locator Network serves as a point of entry to federal laboratory expertise and technology.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
FDBDO Introduces New Classes on Federal Contracting
“INTRODUCTION TO FEDERAL CONTRACTING” will be taught every third Thursday of the month. The first class was held on July 15th and Christine Demas who is the new Director of the Fort Detrick Business Development Office (FDBDO) as well as the instructor of the class said, “The first class was met with smashing success”. The class has been developed to help those companies who have never bid on a government contract and unsure where to begin. The class will cover topics on how to register, where to find opportunities and basic marketing tips.
The class will be held at the Office of Economic Development located at 5340 Spectrum Drive, suite A, Frederick Maryland 21702 from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Classes are free but you must register at http://www.fdbdo.com/ or you may call 301-620-7071.
The class will be held at the Office of Economic Development located at 5340 Spectrum Drive, suite A, Frederick Maryland 21702 from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Classes are free but you must register at http://www.fdbdo.com/ or you may call 301-620-7071.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Emergent BioSolutions Reimburses County for Incentive
Frederick, MD – Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. has formally reimbursed Frederick County for assistance they had received to help with the build-out of a Frederick facility for their company’s expansion.
In 2005, the company had been approved to receive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance by the Board of County Commissioners to assist with infrastructure costs on a building they had acquired on Geoffrey Way, as a local match to a State Conditional Grant for the project that required job creation and capital expenditures.
TIF Bond financing allows the property taxes generated from a project to be used for financing public infrastructure needed for the project. Funds provided through a TIF are subsequently repaid to a jurisdiction through the collection of increased property taxes because of the increased assessed value of the improved properties. Emergent’s properties have already reached an assessed value that exceeds the value of the approved TIF.
Due to some market changes, challenges with the building structure, and other conditions, the company decided not to continue with the build-out at the Frederick location. Because the company did not meet the job creation and capital expenditure requirements, they are reimbursing the County $250,000 that had been approved to assist with the public infrastructure requirements for this project.
“It’s unfortunate that this project did not come to fruition for Frederick, but we’re hopeful that Emergent will think of us again for any future expansion needs they may have,” said Laurie Boyer, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
“Emergent is grateful for the support afforded by Frederick County and its Board of Commissioners,” said R. Don Elsey, SVP Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “As a neighbor to our headquarters location and place of residence for a lot of our employees, Frederick will always be an option for Emergent’s potential future expansion.”
Commissioner Jan Gardner added that “Emergent BioSolutions is one of the leading life sciences firms in the State. We value the relationship that we have with them, and look forward to the possibility of working with them again in the future.”
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and therapeutics that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease.
In 2005, the company had been approved to receive Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance by the Board of County Commissioners to assist with infrastructure costs on a building they had acquired on Geoffrey Way, as a local match to a State Conditional Grant for the project that required job creation and capital expenditures.
TIF Bond financing allows the property taxes generated from a project to be used for financing public infrastructure needed for the project. Funds provided through a TIF are subsequently repaid to a jurisdiction through the collection of increased property taxes because of the increased assessed value of the improved properties. Emergent’s properties have already reached an assessed value that exceeds the value of the approved TIF.
Due to some market changes, challenges with the building structure, and other conditions, the company decided not to continue with the build-out at the Frederick location. Because the company did not meet the job creation and capital expenditure requirements, they are reimbursing the County $250,000 that had been approved to assist with the public infrastructure requirements for this project.
“It’s unfortunate that this project did not come to fruition for Frederick, but we’re hopeful that Emergent will think of us again for any future expansion needs they may have,” said Laurie Boyer, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
“Emergent is grateful for the support afforded by Frederick County and its Board of Commissioners,” said R. Don Elsey, SVP Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Emergent BioSolutions. “As a neighbor to our headquarters location and place of residence for a lot of our employees, Frederick will always be an option for Emergent’s potential future expansion.”
Commissioner Jan Gardner added that “Emergent BioSolutions is one of the leading life sciences firms in the State. We value the relationship that we have with them, and look forward to the possibility of working with them again in the future.”
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines and therapeutics that assist the body’s immune system to prevent or treat disease.
Monday, July 12, 2010
East Coast Millwork Hosts Business Visit
Elected officials and representatives of the local economic development community visited East Coast Millwork on July 12th to learn about the company and hear about its experiences doing business in Frederick County.
The tour was hosted by Terri and Mark Rutter, who founded the company in 2003. East Coast Millwork produces architectural millwork products, mostly from PVC, and
sells them to lumberyards throughout the eastern United States. The company utilizes innovative product design, lean manufacturing techniques, advanced production technology, and diligent management to thrive, even under challenging market conditions. June 2010 was its best month ever.
This year, the company also was nominated for an Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County Entrepreneur Award.
Visitors were treated to a shop tour, where they could see the advanced technology and experienced staff in action. The visit ended with presentations of certificates of appreciation from the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and Frederick County Government.
Those in attendance were County Commissioners Jan Gardner and David Gray, Lori Friedman of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Laurie Boyer and Helen Riddle of the F
rederick County Office of Economic Development, Michelle Day of Frederick County Workforce Services, Chris Olson of the Small Business Development Center, Terri Householder of Frederick Community College, Kathleen Shino, Jason Stanczyk, Lynn Shanton, & Drex Ryberg of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development’s Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC), and former BDAC member Steve Cassis.
The tour was hosted by Terri and Mark Rutter, who founded the company in 2003. East Coast Millwork produces architectural millwork products, mostly from PVC, and
sells them to lumberyards throughout the eastern United States. The company utilizes innovative product design, lean manufacturing techniques, advanced production technology, and diligent management to thrive, even under challenging market conditions. June 2010 was its best month ever.This year, the company also was nominated for an Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County Entrepreneur Award.
Visitors were treated to a shop tour, where they could see the advanced technology and experienced staff in action. The visit ended with presentations of certificates of appreciation from the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and Frederick County Government.
Those in attendance were County Commissioners Jan Gardner and David Gray, Lori Friedman of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Laurie Boyer and Helen Riddle of the F
rederick County Office of Economic Development, Michelle Day of Frederick County Workforce Services, Chris Olson of the Small Business Development Center, Terri Householder of Frederick Community College, Kathleen Shino, Jason Stanczyk, Lynn Shanton, & Drex Ryberg of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development’s Business Development Advisory Council (BDAC), and former BDAC member Steve Cassis.
Friday, July 9, 2010
New Job Training Program
Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS) has launched a new job training program called The Edge, a two-week course designed to give local job candidates a competitive edge in the labor market. The program was developed by FCWS staff in response to direct feedback from Frederick area businesses about what skills and qualifications are most desirable and in demand. Topics to be covered include communication and writing, reading and analyzing data, workplace math skills and more. The first class will commence on July 26. Employers seeking candidates for open positions may consider interviewing a graduate of The Edge program by contacting Michelle Day at (301) 600-1867.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Family Friendly Businesses
Four local companies and Fort Detrick were honored during a ceremony held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center last night. The top five Family-Friendly businesses in Frederick County are: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Data Management Services, Frederick Memorial Healthcare Systems, SAIC-Frederick and the U.S. Army Garrison at Ft. Detrick.
Read the entire story in today's (Thursday, 7/1) Frederick News Post:
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/business/display.htm?StoryID=106789
Read the entire story in today's (Thursday, 7/1) Frederick News Post:
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/business/display.htm?StoryID=106789