Intro note: 2010 was OED’s 10th anniversary for this business retention program, so we increased Business Appreciation WEEK to Business Appreciation MONTH.
Program numbers:
201 business were visited:
In nine municipalities: Frederick, Brunswick, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Walkersville, New Market, Mount Airy, Middletown, Myersville. Plus: Urbana, Green Valley, Monrovia, Wolfsville, Sabillasville
77 Ambassadors:
Elected Officials
County Employees
Other Partners: BDAC, DBED, City of Frederick Dept. of Economic Development, Main Street (Brunswick, Thurmont, Middletown, Mt. Airy), Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Council of Frederick County
Number of employees represented in 201 visits:
8,500 (plus another 9,200 counting Ft. Detrick = 17,700)
FMH = 2,600
SAIC = 1,900
Life Technologies = 470
Stultz = 360
Industry Type:
Service sector = 87 companies employing 4,180 workers
Retail = 54 companies employing 835 workers
Tech/bio = 33 companies employing 2,700 workers
Other = 19 (non profits, education, mental health, etc.) – 445 workers
Agriculture = 12 companies employing 125 workers
Manufacturing = 6 companies employing 1,110 workers
*** Note: some employment numbers (above) are counted twice if a business serves two or more different industry sectors, such as a manufacturer or technology company that sells (retail) its products.
Future Expansions = 27
Follow-up = 24
Positive Comments
Quality of life = 51
Location (proximity to Washington/Balt.) = 46
Quality of Workforce = 28
Growth = 26
Educational system = 9
Transportation = 9
Parking = 8
Permitting = 5
Zoning = 2
Negative Comments
Permitting = 22
Traffic/transportation = 9
Zoning = 8
Quality of Workforce = 7
Growth = 4
Parking = 4
Water availability = 2
General Notes:
Oldest Businesses in County that we visited
Hemp’s Meats – 1849
Frederick News Post – 1880
H-C Summers – 1907
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Most businesses say they are doing well financially or at least can see the light at the end of the tunnel
Signage in Frederick City lacking for many businesses or regulations to burdensome
Parking in Brunswick (lack of) is hurting downtown business
Workforce #1 need – continues in the area of Project Management
Another Workforce item – many younger employees lack good work ethic
Permitting – fees too high, rules often unclear
Fort Detrick – would love to work with businesses on base
FCC – valuable resource (internships)
SBDC/Chris Olson – great asset
OED – Best Kept Secret in Frederick County!
