Special Meeting for Businesses

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office will be sponsoring an informational session for Frederick County business owners and their human resource staff to assist them in complying with current federal employments laws.

A representative from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be in attendance to provide a plain-language explanation in the proper preparation of the I-9 Form, its acceptable documents, and other relevant information. Also discussed will be the Ice Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers program, IMAGE, which is a voluntary program of best business practices that help to ensure a legal workforce. There will be a short question and answer session following the briefing.

The forum will be held Thursday, February 24th from 6 to 8 p.m. in the main conference room of the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center, located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick. Due to limited seating, the Sheriff’s Office is asking businesses to RSVP with the number attending to Capt. Tim Clarke at 301-600-3643, by Monday, February 21st. If the class fills and there is a need for additional sessions, the Sheriff’s Office will compile a list of those businesses to be contacted for the next available session.

Frederick Restaurant Week - Plans Announced for 2011

Frederick will offer diners price-fixed meals at mouth-watering prices the week of March 7-13, 2011 during Frederick Restaurant Week. Details of Frederick Restaurant Week were announced at the Weinberg Center for the Arts today.

Featuring over a dozen restaurants, Frederick Restaurant Week is the perfect time to visit a favorite restaurant or to try something new, as chefs prepare delicious 2-course and 3-course special menus. In a collaborative effort, the Downtown Frederick Partnership and the Tourism Council of Frederick County (TCFC), along with local restaurants, planned the promotion. During Restaurant Week, lunches will be offered at $10.11 for a 2-course meal and $20.11 for a 3-course meal. Dinners are offered at $20.11 for 2-courses and $30.11 for 3-courses. Pricing is per person and excludes beverages, taxes, and gratuity, unless otherwise noted by individual restaurants.

“After the success of our first Frederick Restaurant Week in 2010, we’re pleased to offer the promotion again this year,” says John Fieseler, Executive Director for the TCFC. “It is a perfect opportunity for visitors and residents to experience our vibrant dining scene,” he adds. During Restaurant Week, meals are priced to offer a savings. “This year, we’ve adjusted options to include a 2-course lunch at only $10.11 and a dinner option at $20.11,” says Kara Norman, Executive Director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

The website, www.frederickrestaurantweek.com, has information about the promotion, including participating restaurants and prices. It will also be updated to include menus, links to places to stay, Restaurant Week activities, and other information so visitors can experience historic Downtown Frederick and nearby attractions.

To keep dining enthusiasts in the loop, Tourism will tweet Restaurant Week happenings from their http://www.twitter.com/tourfrederickmd Twitter account, and people can either follow or join the discussion under the hashtag #FredRestWk. Updates will also be posted to the Tourism Council of Frederick County’s Facebook page.

During Restaurant Week, no tickets or special passes are required, but reservations are highly recommended. For the most updated list of participating restaurants, visit www.frederickrestaurantweek.com.

To learn more about Frederick County, visit www.fredericktourism.org or call 1-800-999-3613. For additional information about Downtown Frederick, visit www.downtownfrederick.org or call 301-698-8118.

Fact Sheet: Frederick Restaurant Week 2011
Priced-Fixed Meals at Mouth-Watering Prices

WhenFrederick Restaurant Week is March 7-13, 2011

About
Frederick Restaurant Week is a 7-day promotion that features the unique and fine dining options available in Frederick City and the surrounding area. Participating restaurants will offer fixed-price lunch and dinner options during Frederick Restaurant Week. The price points reflect a value and provide an opportunity for diners to explore Frederick’s vibrant dining scene at a savings.

Website
www.FrederickRestaurantWeek.com

Frederick Restaurant Week Pricing
Pricing is per person and excludes beverages, taxes and gratuity, unless otherwise noted by restaurants.

Lunch
2-Course $10.11
3-Course $20.11

Dinner
2-Course $20.11
3-Course $30.11

Participating Restaurants*
Acacia Fusion Bistro
Alexander's
Brewer's Alley
The Cellar Door
Danielle's Restaurant
Firestone's Culinary Tavern
Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar
Mangia e Bevi Ristorante Italiano
Moxie Bakery & Café
Olives Italian Restaurant & Lounge
The Orchard
Patrick's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Quynn's Attic
The Red Horse
Shab Row Bistro & Wine Bar
The Tasting Room
VOLT
*at time of publication
Presented by
Downtown Frederick Partnershipwww.downtownfrederick.org

Tourism Council of Frederick Countywww.fredericktourism.org

Information—For Diners
800-999-3613
www.frederickrestaurantweek.com

Social Media
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tourfrederickmd
Join the conversation on Twitter by using hashtag #FredRestWK
Tourism Council of Frederick County’s Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Tourism-Council-of-Frederick-County-Maryland/98780524840

Contacts

John Fieseler, Executive Director
Tourism Council of Frederick County
301.600.4041 Michelle Kershner
Marketing and Communications Manager
Tourism Council of Frederick County
301.600.4023Kara Norman, Executive Director
Downtown Frederick Partnership
301.698.8118

Sponsors
Flying Dog Brewery
Frederick Magazine
The Gazette
Jean Peterson Design
Key 103
Orases

Frederick Film Office - Established January 2011

The Frederick Film Office (FFO) is a program of the Frederick Arts Council. As such, the FFO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The organization is located at the Cultural Arts Center on West Patrick Street.

The mission of the Frederick Film Office to to support, attract, and promote film, television, and multimedia projects in Frederick County, Maryland.

Below is a list of our Current Advisory Committee Members:

Shuan Butcher/Executive Director, Frederick Arts Council
John Fieseler/Executive Director, Tourism Council of Frederick County
Carl Glorioso/Manager of Film Initiatives, Frederick Film Office
Heather Gramm, CEcD/Business Development Specialist, The City of Frederick
Randy Gray/Frederick Co. Office of Economic Development
Shawn Hatosy/Actor, Producer, and Industry Liason
Eric Jones/FFO Assistant Office Manager
Steve Kroon/Lead Producer, The City of Frederick
Katherine Orloff/Film Publicist and Assoc. Prof. of Journalism, Hood College
Kelly Trigger/Professor, Frederick Community College
Aldan Weinberg/The Weinberg Center
**Jack Gerbes/Director, Maryland Film Office/Non-Committee Advisor

For more information, please call (301) 662-4190 x5

Microbiologist needed at local Biotech Firm

ImQuest BioSciences is looking for an experienced microbiologist to join their growing company in Frederick. If interested, or if you know of someone looking for an opportunity, please contact Robert Buckheit, Jr., President and Chief Scientific Officer at ImQuest BioSciences, Inc. Corporate Headquarters and Laboratory Facilities 7340 Executive Way Suite R Frederick, MD 21704 Office: 301-696-0274 Fax: 301-696-0381

Tax seminar for small businesses

SCORE Frederick teams up with Frederick Innovative Technology Center to bring you an important educational class to assist you in filing your 2010 State and Federal Business tax returns. Ideal for the small business and the entrepreneur because now more than ever you need to know what you can and can't deduct from your taxes. You might be surprised what deductions you are allowed! This could be a very profitable 2 hours.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.


Presented by SCORE Frederick and Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI)


About this session

Date: Thursday, January 27th
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Place: Frederick Community College Conference Center, Room 124AB
Opposumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21701

Fee: $20


Topics will include:
Business Tax Requirements: Business tax returns, record keeping, basic financial statements and accounting methods.
Business Use of Your Home: Deducting expenses of your home for business, eligibility test for taking an office-in-home deduction, and where to claim it on your tax form.
Employment Taxes: Basic requirements for withholding of employment taxes such as Federal Income Tax, Social Security and Medicare, including discussion of casual labor and contractors.
Important Tax Law Changes: New requirements for 2009 and 2010 from healthcare reform etc.

Your presenter is Maurice Deprey, a Counselor and Treasurer for SCORE Frederick. Maurice is a CPA with over 25 years experience in Public Accounting, and more than 20 years in executive positions such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Treasurer. Maurice has taught as Adjunct Professor at Mount Saint Mary's College in Emmitsburg, MD. Maurice's broad range and extensive kowledge in various industries has given him great insight and makes him an intriguing teacher.

Click here to register and pay online now!

The First Two Cycles of FY 2011 Export MD Grants Were Awarded

The Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) has funded the first two cycles of FY 2011 Export MD grants. From Frederick County, BioElectronics recieved a grant. Awarded to 19 small and mid-sized businesses across Maryland, helping them promote or sell their products and services in global markets. The grants, administered through DBED, are awarded to businesses quarterly to help finance the cost of international marketing initiatives, including trade show fees, travel expenses, brochures, translators and website development. Since 2007, more than 100 Export MD grants have been awarded. Click here for applications and more details.

American Community Survey: Jobs attract well-educated to Frederick County

Originally published January 07, 2011
By Marge Neal News-Post Staff

Frederick County is a fairly well-educated community compared with the rest of Maryland and the nation, according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The American Community Survey report shows that most Frederick County municipalities surpass state and national averages of residents 25 and older who have achieved certain educational milestones.

Nearly 35 percent of Frederick County's 145,998 residents in that age group have a bachelor's degree or higher. Nearly 8 percent more have an associate degree.

Middletown is particularly well-educated, with more than one of every two town residents possessing a bachelor's degree or higher.

With 1,819 residents age 25 or older, Middletown has 617 residents — 33.9 percent — with a bachelor's degree and 367 — 20.2 percent — with a graduate or professional degree. Nationally, 17.4 percent of that population holds a bachelor's degree, and 10.1 percent has a graduate or professional degree. In Maryland, the numbers are slightly higher, with 19.6 percent of residents 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree and 15.6 percent holding graduate degrees. In Mount Airy, 41.3 percent of the 5,308 residents 25 and older hold at least a bachelor's degree.

Frederick County was more educated at the less-educated end of the spectrum, too. In the U.S., more than 12.5 million people — 6.4 percent of those 25 or older — have less than a ninth-grade education. In Maryland, 162,023 people — 4.3 percent of residents 25 and older — have less than a ninth-grade education. Less than 1 percent of New Market and Myersville residents fall into that category. The only municipalities with rates higher than state or national rates in the category are Burkittsville at 5.9 percent and Emmitsburg at 5.6 percent.

Frederick's educational level could be attributed to the number of local employers that require a minimum of a bachelor's degree, according to Paula Lawton, executive director of human resources for Frederick County Public Schools. Employers, such as the many entities at Fort Detrick, require advanced degrees, she said, which would account for Frederick County's higher rates of education attainment. The school system employs more than 5,000 people, many of whom are required to have a bachelor's degree when hired and who then pursue higher degrees. Lawton estimated that 1,008 FCPS employees have bachelor's degrees; 648 have a bachelor's with master's degree equivalency; 784 have master's degrees; 1,287 employees have a master's degree plus 30 semester hours, and 37 have doctoral degrees.

Middletown Town Administrator Drew Bowen said he wasn't surprised to hear of the high educational levels of town residents. Middletown has become a bedroom community for professionals who work in Washington and Baltimore, he said. "As people have kids, they want to move out of the more metropolitan areas and find a more quiet, small town to live in," he said. "They look for a 45-minute to one-hour commute and if you draw a circle from D.C. and Baltimore, Frederick County is it." He said he believed Middletown has changed from a farming community to a place where many professional work in the city.

Lawton said there might be a correlation between housing prices and the education level of Middletown residents. "People with advanced degrees are going to have a higher lifetime income than those without those degrees, and they will be drawn to the areas where the houses are a tick higher," she said. "The people with advanced degrees can afford more expensive houses."

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Grant Provides Wage Reimbursement of up to 90%

Planning to hire new staff in 2011? Through a National Emergency Grant, On-the-Job Training (OJT) funds are now available to Frederick County employers who hire new employees and need to train the employee(s) in specific skills needed for the job. The purpose of the OJT National Emergency Grant is to effectively close skills and employment gaps for workers who have experienced prolonged unemployment. It will address employer needs for skilled workers and support the extraordinary costs associated with training a new employee in skills that are otherwise difficult to find in the labor force. Frederick County employers with 50 or fewer employees may be eligible for reimbursement up to 90% of the participants wage rate during training and those with 250 employees or less may be eligible for up to 75% of the participant's wages during training. For more information, please call or e-mail Frederick County Workforce Services: (301) 600-2255 or businessinfo@frederickcountymd.gov. For information about additional services available for Frederick County businesses, please visit http://www.frederickworks.com/.

Welcome 2011

Over a year ago, OED started blogging about economic development news in Frederick County and since then, has expanded their reach to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. Readership has grown and we predict that it will grow even more in 2011 as more and more people choose to receive their news online. In 2011, we invite our Frederick County companies to contact us with their news worthy events and stories to publish on our social media pages. According to a November 2010 study by CNN, people who receive their news from social media are 27% more likely to favor that brand. Contact us with your news and we’ll do a weekly blog post of Local Business News in Frederick County.

In case you missed it, here’s a look back at a popular news from each month in 2010:

January: Education Magazine puts Maryland schools at #1 for the second year in a row
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/01/maryland-schools-number-one-for-second.html

February: Downtown hotel project gains momentum
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/02/downtown-hotel-in-frederick.html

March: County sought information to assess damage from the snowstorms of Feb 2010
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/03/seeking-information-to-assess-damages.html

April: City looking for feedback on the Golden Mile
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/04/city-launches-survey-for-golden-mile.html

May: Groundbreaking Held for Banner Life Headquarters
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/05/groundbreaking-banner-life.html

June: All Nine Public High Schools on Newsweek’s ‘Best’ List
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/06/all-nine-frederick-county-public-high.html

July: Five County Businesses Honored for Being Family Friendly
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/07/family-friendly-businesses.html

August: Fred Co One of Nine Counties to Experience Positive Job Growth
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/08/maryland-department-of-labor-licensing.html

September: Business Appreciation Month launches with campaign to visit 200 businesses throughout the month
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/09/business-appreciation-month-kick-off.html

October: Downtown Frederick makes list of Greatest Neighborhoods in 2010
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/10/downtown-frederick-receives-national.html

November: Additional Funding for Employers Made Available through Maryland Business Works
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/11/dditional-funding-for-employee-training.html

December: Department of Labor Launches Veterans Hiring Toolkit for Employers
http://discoverfrederickmd.blogspot.com/2010/12/dol-launches-veterans-hiring-toolkit.html