Weekly Business Visit to QIAGEN

Lindsey Howard, Vice President of Quality Assurance of QIAGEN Inc., hosted Frederick County’s Business Development and Retention Division (BDRD) weekly business visit attended by Commissioner Paul Smith, County Manager David Dunn and Acting Director Helen Riddle of BDRD.

QIAGEN, Inc., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies that are used to transfer biological materials into molecular information. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. QIAGEN has developed and marketed more than 500 samples and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides these products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN’s technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. The panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as the “gold standard” in testing for the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and comparison diagnostics.

QIAGEN employs approximately 3,900 people in over 35 locations worldwide. According to Mr. Howard, “QIAGEN’s mission is to make the world a better place to live, not only through scientific discovery and application but through sustainable stewardship. Located at 6951 Executive Way in Frederick, QIAGEN employs 100 people. The company has been in Frederick since 2008, and has been experiencing rapid growth.

For more information about QIAGEN please visit their website at www.qiagen.com.

Emmitsburg Business Day

Blaine Young, President of the Board of County Commissioners and Frederick County Manager Dave Dunn met with two businesses in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The first visit took place at the Emmitsburg Glass Company located at 100 Creamery Court. Mr. Greg Reaver, Vice President and Mr. Allen Knott, Chief Financial Officer hosted the visit and provided valuable information regarding the company. Founded in 1988, Emmitsburg Glass Company, Inc. is a full service glass and glazing contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Emmitsburg Glass Company employs 100 people at their 53,000 square foot headquarters and serve customers located primarily in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia. The Company’s services include engineering, fabrication, installation of architectural aluminum and glass systems, aluminum composite and steel panel systems, bullet and blast resistant glazing systems, and fixed and operable window systems for the exterior facades of commercial and multi-residential buildings. Emmitsburg Glass Company was ranked as the 20th top glazers in the country and the fourth largest in sales in Maryland. For more information about Emmitsburg Glass Company, visit their website at www.emmitsburgglass.com The second visit was to the Carriage House Inn located at 200 South Seaton Avenue. Mr. Bob Hance, owner, was the host for this visit. Mr. Hance opened the restaurant in 1980, after moving from Rockville, Maryland. The Carriage House Inn offers quality cuisine and gracious service in an elegant colonial atmosphere. The building was built in 1857 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The lunch menu features homemade soups, including their signature cream of crab soup and the dinner menu features tender, mouth-watering steaks and a selection of fresh seafood, veal, pork, and chicken entrees. The Carriage House Inn offers both on and off premises catering and is the perfect setting for weddings, banquets, rehearsal dinners and more. The Tack Room is one of the two private rooms that can accommodate up to 50 guests. The other private room is the Joann’s Ballroom which can accommodate up to 150 people. For catered events and menu options visit their website at www, carriagehouseinn.info

Permitting Fees at Last Year's Rates to Encourage Business Friendly Climate

FREDERICK, MD – Frederick County permitting fees were due to automatically increase as of July 1 by 3.2 percent to keep pace with inflation this year. But, with business-friendly goals of utmost concern to the Frederick Board of County Commissioners, the board recently chose to keep rates the same as last year.

The board also agreed to clarify fee schedule policies in the Community Development Division to provide clarity and consistency with other regulatory issues in the Department of Permits and Inspections. It establishes, eliminates and/or clarifies other fees for certain approvals that are a result of new or modified planning and development review approval processes and also incorporates comprehensive planning and zoning fees into the fee schedule to coincide with the division’s reorganization last year.

Key changes in the fee schedule include the clarification to the “agricultural buildings” definition to be consistent with the building code; establishing of a “minimum permit” fee instead of a “per square foot” charge, and elimination of the fire code revision fee charged for additional plan reviews. In addition, the board will exempt the county’s capital improvement program from payment of the fees in accordance with its strategic goal to “consider eliminating review fees for county capital projects.”

Board President Blaine Young commented, “We believe that holding the permitting fees at the same rate is good for business, and what is good for business is good for Frederick County. The decisions the board has made are part of our strategic goals to consider proposals to reduce, alter or eliminate rules and regulations to help improve county processes.

“We commend our employees for working diligently to help businesses more easily and efficiently navigate their way through the process. We welcome continued feedback from our citizens -- from the homeowner to the large business to the small business.”

At the beginning of their term in office, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners initiated a review of over 200 recommended changes to rules and regulations as part of their goal to improve the “business friendly” atmosphere in Frederick County, and have made good progress toward completion.

The items on the “business friendly action items” list were proposed after meetings with officials from the former 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.

The changes coincide with the Board of County Commissioners’ proposed Strategic Plan 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, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/permits or contact Director Gary Hessong, Permits and Inspections Department, at 301-600-1172 or via e-mail at ghessong@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Middletown receives Main Street accolades

Just because a municipality receives Main Street accreditation doesn’t mean it always enjoys certification status. The designation must be earned annually.

Main Street Middletown recently received the honors for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street methodology for strengthening the local economy and protecting historic buildings. "Middletown fits the bill", said Burgess John D. Miller, who congratulated Main Street Middletown manager Becky Reich for her work during a recent town meeting. “In addition, Becky has been named a certified tourism ambassador, which also brings some attention to Middletown and allows her to provide services to groups coming to Middletown,” Miller said. “All of these things are good for Middletown as we work to become a day destination.”
 — Ike Wilson The Frederick News Post Monday, May 21, 2012

2012 Frederick County Progress Report is Now Available

Click here to check out the Frederick County Progress Report, published by The Daily Record. Thank you to our partners who made this publication a success! http://www.pageturnpro.com/The-Daily-Record/39640-2012-Frederick-County-Progress-Report/index.html#1

Mount St. Mary's University Roll Out Red Carpet For Business Visit

MSM President Mr. Thomas H. Powell and Vice President for University Affairs Ms. Pauline A. Engelstatter rolled out the red carpet for a business visit for local County Officials. This visit was part of an ongoing program instituted by the Frederick County Board of County Commissioners to maintain open dialouge between the business community and County leadership. The President along with his Board members and Cabinet spoke of their 204th year history and how MSM is the largest seminary in the U.S. MSM is also the second oldest Catholic University in the U.S. President Powell expressed how happy he was to have a good relationship with the County. There have been many additions and improvements to the University that have been done by local businesses, many of whom are minority businesses. This is part of an ongoing effort to help support the local economy. The outlook for MSM looks bright with enrollment increasing every year. Often referred to as the "Cradle of Bishops" the Mount is home to the National Shrine Grottto of Lourdes. This tourist attraction brings over 100,000 visitors a year. MSM remains strongly commited to it's core values of: Faith, Discovery, Leadership and Community. For more information on Mount St. Mary's University, visit them at www.msu.edu

Brunswick Business Day

Officials from Frederick County Government and the City of Brunswick met with three businesses in Brunswick on Business Visit Day. This day was chosen to recognize and show appreciation for Brunswick's vibrant business community. The first visit took place at the Brunswick Woodworking Company, owned and operated by Mr. Steve Harris. The company has been in operation for twenty years and has 15 employees. The 12,000 square foot facility provide top contractors with high quality architectural millwork and cabinetry. Their work has included projects such as the owners suite at FedEx Field, the Washington Hilton and the Sports Complex at Hood College. For further information you may visit their website www.BrunswickWoodworking.com The second stop was the Whistle Stop Java Shop which opened on Labor Day 2011. The 850 square foot facility is owned and operated by Rob Dibiano and Debbie Vias. The good location and friendly atmosphere led them to locate in Brunswick. They have made plans to purchase an expresso machine in the near future to add more items to their menu. The eatery provides catering, breakfast or lunch platters as well as box lunches for groups ranging from 4 to 400. Please visit their website for further information about their menu www.WhistleStopJavaShop.com The final stop was the Three Points Cycle shop which opened three weeks ago. The owner Keith Marks stated the 500 square foot facility is a full service cycle shop offering services from sales to repairs. He currently has 35 bikes in all different styles and models. His main priority is to cater to the local residents and have his business spread by word of mouth. Mr. Marks hopes that the spring and summer months will provide a significant boost to his business. Please call 301-834-7199 for seasonal hours. Check back next week as we preview Emmitsburg Business Day.