Wednesday, February 16, 2011

BridgePath Scientific Selected into the Maryland Green Registry

BridgePath Scientific has been selected into the Maryland Green Registry. The Maryland Green Registry recognizes organizations working towards a sustainable Maryland. The Maryland Green Registry is a voluntary program offering resources to help organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. BridgePath Scientific is the first and only company in Maryland that refurbishes laboratory equipment to be added to the Registry.
“I applaud the State of Maryland for recognizing organizations that take sustainability seriously,” said Patrick Haley, President and CEO of BridgePath Scientific. “We are honored to be worthy of addition to the Registry. The list of Green Registry Members consists of some of the finest organizations in the State,” continued Haley.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Latest Figures Released from the Frederick County Equine Census

Frederick County Leads in Total Number of Equine Related Acres

The latest figures from the 2010 Maryland Equine Census show the significant value and size of the equine industry in state. “The results of the 2010 Maryland Equine Census help illustrate growing trends throughout industry, both at the County and State-level,” said Barbara Rater, State Director of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Maryland Field Office in Annapolis. “It shows the economic scope and importance of the industry in Maryland.” Frederick County leads the state with 21,400 acres dedicated to equine related activities.

Although the number of equine places decreased 21% in the State from 2002 to 2010, Frederick County ranked number two in the number of equine places (1,600). Frederick also ranked number two in total equine inventory owned (6,000).

For more information about the Census and to view the presentation to the Maryland Horse Industry Board, please visit www.mda.state.md.us/pdf/equinecensus10.pdf.

New Census Population Data Shows Increases in Minority Populations and Municipal Growth

Frederick County is now home to 233,385 people, up from 195,277 in 2000, according to data released yesterday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Frederick remains the second-largest city in the state, with 65,239 people living in the city.

The Asian and Hispanic populations made up the majority of the growth in the county. The white population in the county grew by only 9.1 percent. By comparison, the Asian population grew by 173.7 percent, and the black population grew by 62.1 percent. The Hispanic population saw the most significant change over the past decade. That population grew by 267.4 percent and now makes up 7.3 percent of the county population, compared with 2.4 percent of the county population in 2000.

All of the muncipalities in Frederick County grew over the past decade except for Burkittsville, which decreased from 171 to 151 people.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Matan Development Delivers National Cancer Institute's World Class Research and Development Facility Ahead of Schedule

Press Release by Matan Companies

Matan Companies, developer of National Cancer Institute’s 332,000 SF Advanced Technology Research Facility at Riverside Research Park in Frederick, Maryland, delivered the shell building 29 days ahead of schedule to SAIC-Frederick to begin the tenant fit-out construction. “This project was anything but your typical office building construction. The facility was largely designed from the inside out to accommodate the unique specifications required to become a truly state-of-to-art research and development laboratory and manufacturing facility,” said Karl Morris, Director of Development for Matan Companies.

Morgan-Keller constructed the core and shell of the National Cancer Institute building. Site work and construction of the core and shell took approximately 15 months to complete. The project is comprised of four individual tilt-up concrete structures, connected via a three story atrium. The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company was awarded general contractor for the $113M interior tenant improvements, which commenced on December 14, 2010 and is anticipated to be complete by summer 2012.*

This state-of-the-art facility is a government-owned, contractor-operated National Laboratory, with SAIC-Frederick, Inc. as its prime contractor. It is dedicated to rapidly translating basic research into new technologies for diagnosing, treating, and preventing cancer and AIDS. It will maintain a full suite of advanced technologies in areas such as nanotechnology, genomics and imaging; the federal government’s only drug and vaccine manufacturing facilities; and high-performance Advanced Biomedical Computing Center. “The NCI has identified an urgent need to convert basic research findings into effective cancer treatments that can be delivered to patients right away,” said Larry O. Arthur, Ph.D., president of SAIC-Frederick. “The consolidation of our operations into modern facilities will enable us to do just that, with the specific goal of shortening timelines, reducing costs, and increasing productivity—all of which will benefit cancer patients and people at risk for cancer.”

About MATAN
Headquartered in Frederick for over 30 years, Matan Companies is one of Maryland’s premier commercial real estate development firms. Matan continues to develop, manage and lease top tier office, flex, lab and warehouse space. Committed to attracting and retaining tenants, Matan’s portfolio of 37 buildings in excess of 3 million square feet, boasts an overall vacancy rate of less than 5%. In addition, Matan has in excess of 3 million square feet of commercial projects in various stages of development in the Washington, D.C. area. More information about Matan can be found at http://www.mataninc.com/.

About Riverside Research Park
The 177 acre park has all necessary infrastructure and utilities in place and is ready to build. Riverside Research Park can accommodate up to 1.8 million square feet of lab, R&D, and office space and is located within the city limits of Frederick and less than four miles from the main gates of Fort Detrick and NCI-Frederick. For more information visit http://www.riversideresearchpark.com/.

About National Cancer Institute-Frederick
NCI-Frederick partners with university, private sector, and government scientists to speed the translation of laboratory research into new treatments for cancer and AIDS. With about 3,000 government and contract employees and a unique array of advanced technologies, NCI-Frederick is bridging the gap between discovery and healthcare delivery. NCI-Frederick investigators assess research for its value to patients, accelerate its development, and make it available to the business sector for commercialization. More information about NCI’s Advanced Technology Partnerships Initiative (ATPI) can be found at http://www.atpihome.com/.


Photo Credit: Courtesy of SAIC-Frederick

Friday, February 4, 2011

Commissioners Improve Business Climate

With the goal of improving the “business friendly” atmosphere in Frederick County, the Board of County Commissioners today reviewed fee reductions and changes to rules and regulations that have been identified by the business community. The recommended changes are the start of a process to consider over 200 proposals to reduce, alter or eliminate rules and regulations to help improve county processes.

The items were proposed after recent meetings with officials from the Permitting and Development Review and Economic Development Divisions and members of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Builders Association, commercial business representatives and many other stakeholders.

Board President Blaine Young said, “Our initiative to work openly and collaboratively with businesses will help ease regulatory burdens during difficult economic times while at the same time making sure basic government oversight is maintained. Let it be known that we are ‘open for business’ in Frederick County. We appreciate your business and want your business.”
The board also approved an expedited commercial permit process, extension of development approval dates, plumbing code amendments and stormwater management ordinance amendments.

The changes coincide with the Board of County Commissioners’ proposed strategic goal of providing improved predictability for businesses. The goal states that “Frederick County needs to implement predictability in the business community in order to reduce inefficiencies, allow cost control, provide an effective process and increase understanding in daily business processes within Frederick County Government.”

For further information, contact Permitting and Development Review Division Director Gary Hessong at 301-600-1172 or via e-mail at ghessong@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Commissioners Welcome News of Social Security Administration Selection of Frederick County

The Frederick Board of County Commissioners received news yesterday morning from Tom Natelli, CEO of Natelli Communities, that the Urbana Corporate Center off Interstate 270 at the MD Route 80 interchange has been selected to become home to the new General Services Administration’s Social Security Administration National Service Center. The center will join Fannie Mae and Banner Life Insurance Company at this location.

Board President Blaine Young announced the news at the beginning of the board’s worksession.

He said, “We are extremely pleased to hear the news that the Social Security Administration’s 400,000 square-foot service center will be coming to Frederick County. The center will bring over 200 new jobs to our county and about a half-billion dollar project, including construction costs. Our message is that we are open for business and we surely appreciate this new addition. Frederick County is a great place to live and work and we are thankful for all those who worked so hard to bring this center here.”

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Save Money in Recruiting and Training Costs in 2011

Want to learn how to reduce your hiring costs in 2011? Interested in training your staff but concerned about your budget? Join Frederick County Workforce Services for a Special Event: Cost-Effective Recruiting and Training Solutions for Frederick County Businesses. Local businesses are invited to come and learn about programs that were designed to help businesses grow and develop a talented workforce in a challenging economy. Networking begins at 8:30 a.m., with a presentation from 9 to 10 a.m. at FCC Conference Center, Room E-126. To RSVP, email mday1@frederickcountymd.gov by February 11.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Only 4 Weeks Left to Nominate Your Company

Most award nominations are complicated and expensive. But it’s free and easy to nominate your company for the Annual Frederick County Tech Awards. Awards are a great way to earn valuable, positive PR for your business and many of the Frederick winners go on to the Maryland Tech Awards. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, February 23rd. Please take 20-30 minutes over the next couple days to nominate your organization for the 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards. This year’s categories include Executive of the Year, Firm of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Service Provider of the Year and for the first time CFO of the Year.
Each year the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) honors those companies that have made a difference in Frederick County. Don’t miss this great opportunity to showcase your company and be recognized for your achievements. Nominations must be received by COB February 23, 2011. To nominate, please click on the following link: 2011 Frederick County Nomination Form or contact Todd Hayes at thayes@techcouncilmd.com or 240-243-4049.Award winners will be honored at the 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards Celebration on March 29, 2011 at Holly Hills Country Club, Ijamsville, MD 21754 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Don’t wait, nominate and join TCM, Frederick County Leaders and the best of the best of the IT and biotechnology communities at the 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards. Click here to register.
Thank you to our sponsors: Platinum – Comcast Host– Frederick County Office of Economic Development Gold – MedImmune Media - 270inc Business Magazine Bronze - City of Frederick.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Freight Transportation & Land Use Study

Frederick County is excited to be able to partner with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to participate in the Transportation Land Use Connections (TLC) program. This project will identify ways to enhance the relationship between goods movement and existing and proposed land uses. Short and long-term land use and transportation recommendations will be developed. The project’s goal will identify best practices for accommodating freight movement while maximizing safety, air quality and quality of life. The study will address the accommodation of short-line and long haul trucking as well as clearly defining the role of short and long distance freight rail in the county. Freight dependent land use designations will be reviewed and opportunities for maximizing the utility of freight rail corridors will be identified. Intelligent transportation system resources for the management of goods movement and safety will be identified. The project will also include recommendations for implementation and incorporation of study findings into an upcoming small area and corridor plans and local and regional transportation plans.

All business owners, shippers, carriers and customers are invited to take the survey. To participate, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/frederickcountyfreightlanduseplan