REAL Share in December

Frederick commercial brokers got together for their quarterly REALShare event to discuss the market and projects they are working on.  MacRo Real Estate Services hosted the event which took place at 411 Aviation Way, Frederick, Md.  Brokers heard from marketing expert, Christina May from Illuminate8 regarding tools to assist in their marketing efforts.

The next quarterly meeting will be in March. If you are a commercial Realtor interested in this event, please contact Jodie Bollinger at jbollinger@frederickcountymd.gov.

Over 220 Business Leaders, Elected Officials and Partners Attend Frederick County’s Annual Business Reception

Frederick, MD – December 10, 2014 - The Frederick County Business Development and Retention Department (BDRD) held their Annual Business Reception at Dutch’s Daughter restaurant last night. More than 220 Frederick County business representatives, elected officials and partner organizations attended this year’s event.  A brief awards ceremony was held to honor Frederick County businesses.

According to Helen Propheter, BDRD Manager, “This event is a great opportunity for us to say thank you to our business community and honor those businesses that have located, expanded and created jobs for our citizens.”  The top 15 businesses from the attendee list were chosen for a Business Leader Award in the categories of new locations, business expansions and job growth.

The 2014 Business Leader Award for New Locations went to the following businesses:
1. ProList – moved from Montgomery County to Frederick off Rt. 85 into a 40,000sf facility and employs 70 people.
2. Vivint Solar – moved into a 16,000sf facility on Wedgewood Blvd and employs 60 employees.
3. MAXIMUS Federal Services, Inc. –expanded to the Frederick area to Presidents Court into a 25,000sf facility and employs 150 people
4. Go Ape – moved in March, 2014 into the Glass Factory and established their USA Headquarters.  They moved into 2,600 sf and employ 16 people in the Frederick office.
5. CarMax – expanded into the Frederick region off Rt 355 on 12 acres, with a 45,000sf showroom and employ 145 people.
The 2014 Business Leader Award for Business Expansions---those existing business who have expanded in Frederick County went to:
6. Wright Manufacturing, Inc – They expanded 22,000sf in response to greater demand of their own brand.  They now have 180 employed at their facility
7. STULZ Air Technology Systems, Inc – expanded 41,000sf and moved their metal and paint shop to accommodate their growth.  They employ 429 people at their site.
8. Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc- Frederick’s business and technology incubator has 24 companies; created 268 direct jobs with $16.6 million in annual payroll.   FITCI companies occupy 76,500sf in Frederick County.
9. Rice Tire - expanded 18,000sf at their North East Street facility.  They employ 40 people.
10. Lonza Walkersville, Inc. – expanded 44,000sf at their facility and employ currently 524 people

The 2014 Business Leader awards for Job Creation—those companies who have created jobs for Frederick County’s citizens, went to:
11. Plamondon Companies – Plamondon increased their workforce by 300 people
12. AstraZeneca – hired 245 people and they also expanded at their current facility by 6,500sf
13. Shepherd’s Staff In-home Care – expanded their workforce and hired 31 people
14. Hilton Garden Inn – Hilton Garden, Frederick expanded their workforce by 30 people
15. BNBI – Battelle National Biodefense Institute increased their workforce by 30 people

This year’s event was possible through our partnership with our sponsors.  Support was provided by Corporate Occupational Health Solutions, LLC, Miles & Stockbridge P.C, Frederick County Bank, Sandy Spring Bank, Swift Systems, Inc. and The Columbia Bank.

To view the gallery of photos from the event, please click here.

Historic Transition to Charter Government in Frederick County Today

The swearing-in ceremony for Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner and County Council Members Tony Chmelik, Kirby Delauter, Jerry Donald, Jessica Fitzwater, M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Bud Otis and Billy Shreve was held today at The Weinberg Center for the Arts. They represent the first County Council and County Executive for the new form of Charter Government in Frederick County.

To read County Executive Gardner's message, please click here and for more information about our new County Council, please click here.

October Frederick County Monthly Business Economic Indicators Released

The October edition of the Frederick County Monthly Business Economic Indicators is now available on our website. Here are a few highlights:

• The unemployment rate for Frederick County has reached the second lowest point in 2014 at 4.8%
• The residential housing market is positive in all categories compared to this time last year: 17.5% increase in the number of new housing units sold, average price is up 0.5% and more homes listed for sale at a 27.3% increase.
• This was the second busiest October in 5 years in the commercial and industrial market with 72 new commercial & industrial permits.

Recently, a copy was found of the August 1973 Brief Industrial Facts for Frederick County and we thought it would be interesting to post along with the October 2014 Monthly Business Economic Indicators. Interestingly, the unemployment rate is the same in both reports but not much else remains the same!

New Small Business Counselor for Frederick

The Western Region Maryland Small Business Development Center, Frederick County Business Retention and Development Department, and Frostburg State University are pleased to welcome their new Small Business Counselor Brandon Mason. Brandon Mason is a successful entrepreneur with deep experience in start-ups, technology, government, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts and Math)-related job growth.  Brandon is passionate about the sustainable growth of downtown and rural communities as well as working with entrepreneurs to achieve their goals. He will also serve as the Regional Technology Liaison for Western Maryland as a result of his extensive knowledge of patent-based technologies.

“Our office is excited to partner with Brandon and the Small Business Development Center to help start-ups and small businesses in Frederick County continue to grow and succeed. His wealth of knowledge in technology and life sciences will lend well to the needs of our department and our targeted industries,” said Helen Propheter, Manager of the Frederick County Business Development and Retention Department.

Mr. Mason will continue to support the economic growth of Frederick County through workshops, networking events, one-on-one counseling, and maximizing resources for clients. He will also assist with obtaining SBA loans for clients to finance their business, helping with patents and technology transfer, and attracting new businesses to Frederick County while helping existing businesses to be more successful. His primary focus will be on promoting job creation, business starts, sales growth, and capital infusion for small business to enhance the economic vitality of Frederick County and Western Maryland. Brandon holds a master's degree from The Catholic University of America and a bachelor's degree in Political Science focused on Public Policy from West Virginia University. To contact Brandon Mason at the Small Business Development Center, please email bwmason@frostburg.edu or call 301-600-1967.

Save the Date: #shopsmallFredCo for Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 29, 2014 is Small Business Saturday and the staff at Frederick County Business Development and Retention and our local economic development partners are saving the date to support our small businesses!

We're rallying Frederick County to Shop Small and tell us about it with a picture and the #shopsmallFredCo hashtag on social media. While you're out supporting local small businesses on Saturday, take a photo, post it to Twitter or Facebook using the local #shopsmallFredCo and the national #shopsmall hashtags to take part in a nationwide campaign to promote small business.

Here's our manager Helen Propheter at Thanksgiving Farms in Adamstown getting a head start and pledging to shop small on November 29! We'll be compiling a photo gallery of all of the photos we received on social media and our blog. The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development is also doing the same on their blog.

Happy shopping!

Farm Breweries in Frederick County Becoming a Growing Trend

This year, Maryland’s first farm brewery under the Farm Brewery License which passed in the State in 2014, opened right here in Frederick County. Milkhouse Brewery at Stillpoint Farm was the first under the new law and since then, several more have followed. The latest farm brewery to open in Frederick County is Red Shedman Farm Brewery at Linganore Winecellars who just celebrated with their grand opening last weekend.

What is a Farm Brewery? A Farm Brewery is similar to a vineyard or winery where a vineyard makes and sells it's wines from the grapes they grow on their vineyard, a farm brewery makes and sells beer from ingredients grown on the farm.  This year’s legislation now allows farm breweries to act as wholesalers and distribute to local bars and restaurants up to a maximum of 3,000 barrels per year.  Farm Breweries and Tasting Rooms are allowed in agricultural portions of the County as long as the farm is growing some of the stock on site and the product is brewed on site.  More farms are growing hops in Frederick County than any other county in Maryland according to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

"The Farm Brewery Bill is really a win-win for the industry," said Vic Aellen of Linganore Wincellars. "It's a win for the distributors because it allows us to establish a market for them, and it's a win for us because it gives us an opportunity to go out and meet our clients."

In August, Thanksgiving Farms in Adamstown opened one of the countries first community-supported breweries, Mad Science Brewing Co. Like members of community-supported agriculture cooperatives known as CSAs, CSB participants are able to fill their own two-liter growlers 20 times in a five-month season.

The ’Buy Local’ and ‘Homegrown Here’ movement has expanded into Frederick County's alcoholic beverages!

AstraZeneca Announces Plans to Expand its Frederick, Maryland Biologics Manufacturing Center

Media Inquiries

Alisha Martin, +1 302 885 2677, Alisha.martin@astrazeneca.com (US)

$200+ Million Investment to Support Company’s Maturing Biologics Pipeline

Frederick, Md., November 21, 2014 — AstraZeneca today announced plans to expand its biologics manufacturing center in Frederick, Md.  The more than $200 million project will increase production capacity at the facility to support AstraZeneca’s maturing pipeline, and will help position the company to keep pace with a growing demand for the development and use of biologics, which currently represent nearly 50% of AstraZeneca’s overall pipeline.

“Biologics are an important part of AstraZeneca’s overall capabilities, in addition to our strengths in small molecules and protein engineering,” said Andrew D. Skibo, regional vice president of biologics supply for AstraZeneca. “Our global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, has a robust pipeline of more than 120 biologics, including more than 30 in clinical development.  The expansion of our Frederick facility will support the progression of drug candidates across our core therapeutic areas, ultimately aiding us in our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients through scientific leadership and innovative new treatments.”

AstraZeneca’s Frederick biologics manufacturing center is an FDA licensed, large-scale cell culture production facility, with hundreds of thousands of square feet of administrative, production, warehouse, laboratory and utility space.  The expansion project, which is anticipated to begin in December and expected to be complete in mid-2017, will add approximately 40,000 additional square feet of manufacturing, laboratory and administrative space.  The expansion is also expected to bring a total of 300 new jobs to the site. 

“We’re very pleased by AstraZeneca’s demonstrable commitment to our local workforce and to our growing biotech community,” said Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement. “This expansion will help bring even more high-caliber life science jobs and career opportunities to Frederick and the surrounding region.” 

AstraZeneca’s Frederick manufacturing center is the largest biologics manufacturing facility within the company’s global network and portfolio of assets, and a worldwide industry leader in cell culture manufacturing.  The site currently produces a pediatric medication, as well as other investigational biologic products. 

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and neuroscience diseases. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com.

Welocalize Receives Deloitte 2014 Technology Fast 500 Award for the 13th Time

Frederick, Maryland – November 17, 2014 – Welocalize, global leader in innovative translation and localization solutions, has been recognized by Deloitte for the thirteenth time as one of the fastest growing North American companies in the prestigious 2014 Technology Fast 500™ annual ranking.

Welocalize has received the respected award for the percentage of fiscal year revenue growth from 2009 to 2013 among other companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and clean technology sectors. The ranking distinguishes companies of all sizes, both public and private who are driven by technological innovation and entrepreneurship, demonstrated through their rapid growth.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized again in the 2014 Technology Fast 500,” said Smith Yewell, co-founder and CEO at Welocalize.  “Since our inception in 1997, this is the thirteenth time that we have received this honorable award from Deloitte and we view this as a reflection of our hardworking team who strive every day to exceed our client’s expectations in quality, teamwork, innovation and customer service.”

The awards were announced this past week, with Welocalize ranking #500 on the list. For more information about the Technology Fast 500™ including the complete list and qualifying criteria visit: www.fast500.com

About Welocalize – Welocalize, Inc., founded in 1997, offers innovative translation and localization solutions helping global brands to grow and reach audiences around the world in more than 125 languages. Our solutions include global localization management, translation, supply chain management, people sourcing, language services and automation tools including MT, testing and staffing solutions and enterprise translation management technologies. With over 600 employees worldwide, Welocalize maintains offices in the United States, UK, Germany, Ireland, Japan and China. www.welocalize.com

PRESS RELEASE: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/welocalize-receives-deloitte-2014-technology-fast-500-award-1968850.htm

Maryland and Frederick County are Leading the Way in a STEM workforce

Maryland is leading the nation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Frederick County Public School's advancements in STEM training are preparing a workforce of the future.

Dr. Daraius Irani, Executive Director of the Regional Economic Studies Institute, spoke about the importance of STEM training and jobs during the annual Economic Outlook Conference at Towson University yesterday.  He stated that Maryland ranks first in the nation in STEM job concentration, 42 percent of bachelor’s degrees awarded in Maryland from 2012-2013 were in STEM fields, and 47 percent of job openings in the State require STEM skills.

Dr. Irani attributed the State’s achievements in STEM to an increase in quality educational programs. ”There has been a real purposeful effort by State schools to introduce students to STEM. That makes a difference,” he said. There are seven STEM Standards of Practice set by the state: 1) Learn and Apply Rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content, 2) Integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content, 3) Interpret and Communicate STEM Information, 4) Engage in Inquiry, 5) Engage in Logical Reasoning, 6) Collaborate as a STEM Team, and 7) Apply Technology Strategically.

The Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) vision is that students will graduate STEM proficient and be prepared for post-secondary study and the 21st Century workforce. As a result, the STEM office of FCPS has programs designed for the elementary, middle and high school levels. During the school day, students engage in the seven STEM Practices as part of their ongoing classroom instruction. 

Outside of FCPS, the C.Burr Artz Library is home to the STEM Lab to meet the needs of area students and to support the goals of local and statewide education initiatives and the library hosts a series of monthly STEM educational classes for all ages.

FCPS reported that 99% of nearly 900 employers surveyed in 2014 indicated that FCPS students met or exceeded job requirements at their place of business, indicating that FCPS are preparing a strong workforce of the future.

Tech at Work: Smile Frederick Orthodontics Featured in Washington Post's Capital Business

3-D Printers Take Bite Out of Making Teeth Molds
by Mohana Ravindranath, Washington Post
Capital Business
November 17-November 23, 2014: Volume 5, Issue 32

Instead of gagging on the clay-like material orthodontists often use to make impressions of their teeth, patients at Smile Frederick Orthodontics bite down on a camera that scans and photographs the inside of their mouths.

Orthodontist Jim Lee uploads those images to the Internat-based cloud storage site Dropbox, where John Bifareti, owner of Gaithersburg-based Bayridge Lab, downloads them. Bifareti uses a 3-D printer to rapidly produce models of a patient's teeth, and then tailors expanders, retainers, and other orthodonic appliances to their specifications.

This digital method, which Lee has been using for the past year, is faster and more accurate than the traditional one, he said.

Before 3-D printers, orthodontists had to mix a material called alginate, which patients had to keep in their mouth for about 3 minutes until it hardened. A patient might have to come in a few times to make these alginate impressions, which staff would physically package and ship to Bayridge Lab. And sometimes alginate models became distorted in the trip from the office to the lab, Lee said.

Now, Bifareti can access the images instantly, and can print a model the same day. Bayridge Lab prints about 15 models for Smile Frederick each week, Lee estimated.

There is an added cost, Lee said-- bit it's one he and his staff are willing to pay. Bayrdige Lab charges about $20 for a 3-D printed model, covering the cost of the plastic material, while alginate models are about $4. (Bifareti noted that the price for models sometimes varies depending on the amount of plastic he needs to print them--a patient with larger or taller teeth might cost more.)

"We do save a lot of cost, indirectly, by not needing more storage space," Lee said. Traditionally, orthodontic practices kept a special room to keep plaster models for patients, he said, but Smile Frederick Orthodontics--which opened in August 2013--has not needed one so far, he said.

And not all orthodontists are trained to use a digital mode--so it may not work for each practice, he said. Smile Frederick opened in August of last year, and most of its staff has worked with digital models before, he said.

"Doctors that have been trained and used to the [plaster] models prefer them because you can hold it up an orient it, and you can't digitally. It takes a little bit of technical knowledge and flexibility on the doctors' side to be able to get used to it."

Of Bifareti's customers, only a handful have transitioned to a fully digital process, he said.

Maryland to lead CyberSecurity and FCC Offers New CyberSecurity Degree Program

Last week wrapped up Maryland's 2014 CyberSecurity Conference which drew hundreds of professionals, students and public servants to the 2014 CyberMaryland Conference which spotlighted Maryland as the nation’s epicenter for cybersecurity.

“If we invest and if we connect and if we appreciate the tremendous opportunities out there in this new world, Maryland will lead the way,” said Governor Martin O’Malley during his keynote address during last week’s two-day conference.

More venture funds are deployed for cybersecurity companies in Maryland than in any other state. Maryland awards over $1,000,000 per year in start-up funding for cyber innovation businesses. More than 15 Cyber Incubators exist in Maryland offering start-up support for innovation. The cybersecurity and STEM workforce of today and the future is here in Maryland.

On October 3, Frederick Community College was awarded $731,000 for a new cybersecurity degree training grant to create a cybersecurity degree program in partnership with other Maryland community colleges.

With the grant, Frederick Community College will develop a cybersecurity degree program and enhance its offerings in Information Technology – with an emphasis on providing high-end training, internships and IT jobs to Marylanders including veterans and their families, low-skilled workers, and underrepresented groups. The program will lead to cyber-related careers including Computer Repair Technician, Computer Network Support Specialist, Computer User Support Specialist, and Information Security Analyst.

“This grant will enable FCC to provide our students with new, world-class credentials in cybersecurity,” said David Croghan, FCC’s Interim Vice President for Learning. “Our new program will allow students to earn industry credentials, and pursue a college degree that meets National Security Agency content standards. We are excited to participate in this initiative because it will accelerate the good work that is already underway at FCC.”

Students will receive specialized academic and career planning and job search support. Many employers in Frederick County have already committed to offering students internships. The four-year program is slated to begin in fall 2015.

For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Andy Yao, ayao@frederick.edu or 301.846.2410.

Frederick featured in Edible DC and The Washington Post

Frederick is getting coverage from the Washington, DC area lately!

"With more than 1,400 farms spread out over 200,000 acres, Frederick County, Maryland is at the heart of the D.C. area's thriving agricultural scene." - Edible DC.  The Fall edition of Edible DC was released on October 24 and it showcases Frederick County's agritourism with mentions of several Frederick County farms and spotlighting local lunch options along the way. There is also a feature on Frederick's "Buy Local" campaign and great information on Frederick organic farms - Fox Haven Farm, Nick's Organic Farm, and Whitmore Farm. Be sure to check it out!

On October 31, the Washington Post ran an article about the Downtown Frederick area with one person commenting, “It’s the best of D.C. or Baltimore or New York without the hassle.” Frederick's unique blend of live, work and play is featured right along beside Old Town Alexandria, VA. Read the complete story here.

InvestMaryland Challenge to Grant $400K in Awards to Businesses

The InvestMaryland Challenge is a national seed and early-stage business competition hosted by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and Inc. Magazine. The Challenge will award $400,000 in grants and a host of business services to companies in the life sciences and high tech industries. Grants are provided by the Department's Maryland Venture Fund and BioMaryland Center. All categories are open to Maryland, U.S. And International companies.

Companies also have the opportunity to receive direct investments from venture capital firms and angel investors.

To learn more about InvestMaryland, please check out the website.

Business Appreciation Week: Last Day- Frederick Area

It's the last day of Business Appreciation Week and we are sad to say that our week is almost over. This week has been insightful, enlightening and most of all, positive! Don't forget we have a Scavenger Hunt going on with chances to win a gift bag just by guessing the correct business! To play along and view photographs of where we have been so far, follow us on Facebook.

Today, our teams are visiting the Frederick areas including the unincorporated areas of Ijamsville, Libertytown, Point of Rocks as well as the Census-designated area of Urbana. Our travels today also take us to one of Frederick's major employers, our business incubator - Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc (FITCI), and to the thriving area of Riverside Research Park.

Here are some 'Did You Knows' about Business Incubators from the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA):

• Every 50 jobs created by an incubator client generate approximately 25 more jobs in the same community.
• 87 percent of all firms that have graduated from their incubators are still in business.
• Incubators create jobs at a cost of about $1,100 each, whereas other publicly supported job creation mechanisms cost more than $10,000 per job created.

Urbana Facts:

• Population - 10,625 people
• Population growth rate 2010-2014 - 5.3%
• Home to major headquarters such as Fannie Mae, Banner Life Insurance and the Social Security Administration's Data Center

We have heard so many great things about doing business in Frederick County and we are looking forward to compiling our findings into a report to be available soon. To receive a copy of the report when it becomes available, please click here.

Business Appreciation Week: Day 4 - Areas of Brunswick, Middletown and Walkersville

Today's teams will be joining elected officials and main street managers from the City of Brunswick and the Town of Middletown as well as team of ambassadors who will be covering the Walkersville area.

Did you know?

• In 2014, Sperling's Best Places to Live named Brunswick as a Best Place to Live.
• The City of Brunswick markets its historic downtown, the railroad museum, and its access to the C&O Canal and Potomac River. There is also commuter rail access directly to Washington, D.C.
• A young Lieutenant George Washington surveyed the South Mountain area and commented that the Middletown Valley was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen.
• Middletown is the birthplace of Charlie "King Kong" Keller, former major league baseball player for the NY Yankees and Detriot Tigers and 4x World Series champion.
• The Walkersville Southern Railroad offers regularly scheduled scenic train rides from the month of May through October. The train was part of the Pennsylvania Railroad that was built in 1872.

To view a map and listing of downtown Middletown businesses, please click here.
To view a listing of businesses in Walkersville, please click here.
To view a listing of downtown Brunswick businesses, please click here.

Business Appreciation Week: Day 3 - Downtown Frederick

Downtown Frederick contains a thriving commercial mix—from eclectic stores and restaurants to professional firms and organizations. Over 3,000 employees work in the Main Street area at nearly 700 businesses or organizations. In 2014, Livability.com ranked Downtown Frederick as the 6th best downtown in America and last year, CNN named Frederick as one of America's Best Small Town Comebacks.

Today, along with City of Frederick and Downtown Frederick Partnership ambassadors, we are appreciating our businesses that make up our unique and thriving Downtown Frederick!

To view a listing and a map of all Downtown Frederick businesses, please click here.

Business Appreciation Week: Day 2 - Areas of Thurmont and New Market/Linganore

Today's Business Appreciation Week teams will be visiting the areas of Thurmont and New Market/Linganore. The Town of Thurmont and Thurmont's Main Street Manager is joining us on today's visits to celebrate business in our towns!

Did You Know?

• Thurmont is home to the largest cascading waterfall in the state of Maryland (78 feet) Cunningham Falls and an old homestead can still be seen at the top of the Falls.
• Each year, over 125,000 people visit Thurmont for Catoctin Colorfest, which began in 1963, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind on the east coast. 
• New Market is considered the Antiques Capital of Maryland.
• John Vincent Atanasoff, Bulgarian-American inventor who lived and passed away in New Market, created the first binary computer, Atanasoff–Berry Computer while writing the concept in 1937 on a cocktail napkin after having a few glasses of scotch whiskey

Thurmont (21788 zip code) Facts:

• Population is 11,328
• Population growth rate from 2010-2014 is -0.32%
• 278 businesses

New Market (21774) Facts:

• Population is 12,8727
• Population growth rate from 2010-2014 is 1.9%
• 210 businesses

Business Appreciation Week: Day 1 - Frederick and Home Based Businesses

Today kicks off the first day of the 14th Annual Business Appreciation Week in Frederick County where we will be visiting over 100 businesses all week long with teams of economic development ambassadors!

It also happens to be Economic Development Week in the state of Maryland so this week, we are extending our gratitude for the businesses that make Frederick County a unique and prosperous place to live, work and play. Business Appreciation Week gives our office a chance to hear first hand from our businesses what it is like to do business in our County and gives us a new perspective on the many talents our companies possess.

Today we are visiting home-based businesses and companies in Frederick with the 21702 and 21703 zipcodes.

Home Based Businesses: Did you know?

• A New Home Based Business is started every 12 seconds
• There are 38 million Home Based Businesses in the USA
• 70% of the Home Based Business succeed within 3 years versus 30% of regular business
• 44% of Home Based Business are started for under $5,000
• 70% of Americans would prefer to be self-employed
• $427 billion per year is made by Home Based Business

About Frederick (zip code 21702)

• Population is 40,428 
• 1,058 business
• Population growth rate 2010-2014 is 0.8%

About Frederick (zip code 21703)

 

• Population is 34,017
• 725 businesses
• Population growth rate 2010-2014 is 0.47%

September's Monthly Business Economic Indicators Reflect Positive Trends

The Frederick County Business Development and Retention Department has just published the September edition of the Frederick County Monthly Business Economic Indicators. 

Highlights:

• Frederick County's Unemployment rate continues to stay below the State and National averages. 
• For August 2014, the unemployment rate was 5.6% in Frederick County compared to 6.6% in Maryland and 6.1% nationwide.
• The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation recently published 1st quarter 2014 employment and wage information and employment has grown 5% over the past five years.
• Industries that saw the most employment growth over the past 5 years were: Leisure and Hospitality (25%); Construction (23.4%) and Natural Resources and Mining (9.3%).
• Industries that added the highest number of new establishments were: Natural Resources and Mining (14.8%); Financial Activities (13.2%) and Leisure and Hospitality (11.3%).
• The average weekly wage per worker has grown 13% over the last 5 years to $964 per week.
• The residential housing market has seen a 23% increase in the number of housing units sold in September 2014 compared to this time last year. 
• There are also 29% more homes on the market.
• Commercial and Industrial permits remain steady compared to this time last year (718 year to date compared to 719 year to date in 2013). 
• September saw a large capital investment in commercial and industrial costs with almost $13 million, higher than the 5 year average of $11 million.

To download a PDF of this publication, please click here.

Thurmont's Festival of Trees and New Main Street Building Launch

The Thurmont Main Street Building has been renovated for use and ready to be launched to the public and the businesses in the main street district. What better time to do it than the lighting of the town for the holidays. The Thurmont Main Street organization would like to invite businesses, organizations and citizens to participate in the launching of the Main Street building with the Festival of Trees.

Each tree is available to be sponsored as follows:

Inside 6’ tree - $75
Inside Table top Tree - $50
Window 6’ Tree (only 4 available)- $100
Window Table Top Tree - $75

How to sponsor a tree?
Contact Vickie Grinder, Thurmont Main Street Manager, at VGrinder@thurmontstaff.com or
240-626-9980.
Come in and decorate your tree with a theme, to advertise your business/organization. The main street building will be open Monday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm in November to allow the sponsors in to decorate the trees. The trees will remain lighted through the month of December. The trees are not pre-lit so keep this in mind when planning your decorating scheme.

What's next? Join us on Saturday, November 29 at 6:00pm for the Festival of Trees lighting ceremony. Light refreshments will be provided by Thurmont Main Street. The building will be open on Saturday, December 6th during Christmas in Thurmont for the public to view all of the beautiful trees! 

Note: inappropriate or offensive themes will be removed at the discretion of Thurmont Main Street organization.

Business Appreciation Week Scavenger Hunt!

Next week marks the beginning of the 14th Annual Business Appreciation Week in Frederick County.  Our office, along with ambassadors that represent our economic development partners, will be visiting over 100 businesses all week long to thank them for the contributions they make to our economy. To help celebrate the variety of businesses that make our community successful, we will be posting two pictures each day from a business that we are visiting to our Facebook Page. The person who guesses the correct name of business by 4pm daily will win a gift bag!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook to play along!

News from Potomac Edison: Cut Operation Costs with LED and HPS Street Lighting!

Did you know you can save money on parking lot and street lights? LEDs and HPS lights use much less energy, work faster and last longer than incandescent and fluorescent lighting. Potomac Edison’s Energy Efficient Program for Business Customers can help reduce outdoor lighting costs while taking advantage of additional savings with the Streetlighting Program.  Pre-approval of projects is required so apply BEFORE you buy at our website: www.energysaveMD-business.com.

Install new LED or HPS Lighting and start saving:

• They last longer and work more efficiently, so you will reduce maintenance and electrical costs
• Add motion controls or occupancy sensors for more energy savings 

Improve lighting quality with more efficient lighting:

• Brightness is equal to or greater than existing lights
• Available in a wide variety of styles and colors

To qualify for this program, fixtures must operate with dusk-to-dawn photo sensors.

Click here to learn more about the Streetlighting Program

Need help?  Call or email an energy specialist today. Potomac Edison’s Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs are being offered in accordance with EmPOWER Maryland legislation to help meet the state's goals to reduce both electricity usage and peak demand and encourage customers to save energy and money. For more information visit www.energysavemd-business.com, call 1-866-563-5966, or email energysaveMD@leidos.com with any questions. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

STULZ Announces $5 Million Expansion to US Manufacturing Facility

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Aaron Sabino, Marketing/Product Manager
Telephone: 240-529-1206 | Email: asabino@stulz-ats.com

Frederick, Md. (October 3, 2014) STULZ Air Technology Systems today announced the completion of the first phase of its planned expansion to its existing US production facilities in Frederick, MD. STULZ manufactures high-tech cooling solutions for mission critical applications and data centers including a full line of energy efficient precision air conditioners, outdoor air handlers, ultrasonic humidifiers, and desiccant dehumidifiers.

“We are very excited to announce this significant investment to expand our advanced manufacturing capabilities in the United States on National Manufacturing Day,” said STULZ Air Technology Systems President, Joerg Desler.

Although STULZ is a global company that is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany it has maintained a design and manufacturing infrastructure in Frederick, MD since 2001. “STULZ is proud to design, and manufacture all of our products for North America here in Frederick, MD,” Mr. Desler continued. “This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to producing quality, high-tech mission critical cooling solutions here in the USA.”

The expansion includes the purchase of a 41,000 square foot building adjacent to the existing facility. This new building will house a greatly expanded sheet metal fabrication area and weld shop. In addition, two new powder coat lines are in the process of being installed by a local vendor.

“Many people do not realize the scope of our commitment to local design and manufacturing,” said Mr. Desler. “It is an unfortunate yet common reality that many companies will produce the majority of their components overseas and then claim to be ‘made in America’ simply because the final assembly occurs domestically. At STULZ, we do our own engineering, metal stamping, electrical wiring, powder coating, controls programming, piping, and testing. To us, that is what ‘made in America’ means.”

The existing STULZ Air Technology Systems manufacturing facility will also see a portion of the overall investment with expanded space for a growing line of outdoor air handling units and large capacity perimeter cooling systems (the largest capacity units commercially available). Overall, the expansion is expecting to create more than 25 permanent US jobs in the Frederick, MD community.

According to Mr. Desler, the motivation for the expansion is due to increased demand and changing market conditions. “The mission critical cooling industry is becoming more sophisticated and customers are demanding a greater spectrum of custom and semi-custom solutions. By having direct control over our manufacturing process and proximity to high-quality local suppliers, I feel that STULZ is better suited to meet the needs of a changing market.”

About STULZ Air Technology Systems, Inc.

STULZ Air Technology Systems, Inc. (STULZ) is an ISO 9001 registered manufacturer of environmental control equipment including a full line of energy efficient precision air conditioners, air handling units, ultrasonic humidifiers, and desiccant dehumidifiers. The company is responsible for product development, manufacturing, and distribution for the North American arm of the international STULZ Group. For more information about STULZ ATS and its products, call 301-620-2033. E-mail your request to info@stulz-ats.com or visit www.stulz-ats.com.

Maryland Catalyst Fund Available to Businesses

The Catalyst Fund, powered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), is part of Maryland’s Video Lottery Terminal Small, Minority and Woman-Owned Business Account initiative. The fund is a locally managed source of capital used to finance start-ups and expanding businesses statewide whose projects will create permanent jobs and leverage private sector investment. Catalyst is a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) – as borrowers repay Catalyst Fund loans, the principal and interest payments are returned to the fund for lending to other businesses 
to create more jobs and investment opportunities.

Loan funds can be used for normal business uses such as working capital, equipment, real estate, franchise fees and inventory purchases. Loan amounts are always subject to availability of funds. 

Email the Fund Manager to receive the Interest Form. All potential candidates must fill out
this prequalification project summary to make sure that Catalyst Fund criteria are met. Once that step has been completed, our Fund Manager will contact you. Eligible businesses can fill out a full Application Form, which requires a nonrefundable application fee and more in-depth information.

For more information, contact the Catalyst Fund Manager via email or by phone at 410.313.6500.

Meet CarMax

                     Five Questions with Damon Devins, General Manager, Frederick CarMax

5601 Urbana Pike

Frederick, MD  21704-7292

301-662-4380

www.carmax.com

CarMax pioneered the used-car superstore concept delivering what consumers want when shopping for a car: an ethical, honest, no-haggle experience with a wide selection of high quality vehicles. CarMax has been one of the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work For” for ten consecutive years and currently operates more than 130 used car superstores nationwide.

How long have you been in business?

CarMax has been changing the way America buys cars since we opened our first store in Richmond, Virginia, in 1993.

How many employees do you have?

The Frederick CarMax location employs nearly 150 associates. CarMax has approximately 20,000 associates nationwide.

Why do you believe you will be successful in Frederick County?

We are excited to bring jobs and the unique CarMax experience to those in the Frederick County area. We are a growing company and offer an unmatched customer experience. Customers choose CarMax for a transparent and fun process for buying a used car. With more than 35,000 cars online at carmax.com and on our app, customers can shop nearly every make and model. We also provide fast, commitment-free appraisals. We’ll buy your car, even if you don’t buy ours. We invite the Frederick community to come see us as they start the search for their perfect vehicle.

If your company is involved in community outreach, please share with us your involvement.

Community giving is a big part of the CarMax culture and it’s personal to our associates. We are proud to be part of the Frederick community and support great organizations that are making a positive difference to families in our area.  Frederick County Boys and Girls Club received a $20,000 grant from The CarMax Foundation for Project Learn. Our team has clocked more than 240 volunteer hours at the Frederick County Boys and Girls Club. Teams of associates have been a part of three nonprofit walks in Frederick supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, March of Dimes, and Animal Welfare League of Frederick County. The CarMax Foundation also made donations to each of these organizations on behalf of the volunteers.

What are you most proud of?

More than 20 years ago, we wanted to give car buyers a better option. CarMax was founded on the principle of integrity and that remains the core part of our culture today. Integrity is ingrained in the way we do business, in every role, responsibility and process. Our sales consultants act as “car matchmakers,” receiving the same commission for any car a customer purchases, no matter its price. They are true advisors to find each customer his or her perfect car to fit budget and lifestyle. 

August Edition of the Frederick County Monthly Business Economic Indicators Now Available

August Highlights

• Unemployment increased slightly In July to 5.6% but still well below Maryland’s rate of 6.5% and the U.S. average of 6.2%.  
• It is also still lower than it was at this time last year when it was 5.8%.
• The residential housing market seems to be very active with an 11.5% increase in number of houses sold compared to last year at this time. 
• There are also 40% more homes on the market selling for 4% more than this time last year. 
• The commercial and industrial market saw the highest dollar value in 3 years at this time with $14-1/2 million in construction costs for August.
• Our overall commercial vacancy rate of 12.2%  is lower than the 5-year average of 15%. 
• The most noticeable decrease in vacancy for the flex market (4-1/2 percent lower than the 5 year average 14.5% versus 5 year avg of 20%).

To download a PDF, please click here.

Renowned Financial Strategists at Hood

Two nationally renowned financial strategists will discuss their insights about Frederick County’s economic outlook Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Hodson Auditorium in Rosenstock Hall at Hood College.

In a talk entitled “The Shifting Landscape of American Communities,” James Chung and Maurice Nicholson will discuss the practice of predicting market changes and national trends and how these methodologies can be applied to the economic demography of Frederick County.
Following the presentation, which is free and open to the public, questions from the audience will be addressed.

            Chung is the president of Reach Advisors, a New York-based strategy, research and predictive analytics firm focused on emerging shifts in the external landscapes. He serves some of the nation’s largest organizations involved in community development and economic development, tourism and resorts, healthy living, museums and cultural institutions, higher education and other fields undergoing significant change or confronting major bets about the future.
Chung has been a featured speaker at many of the national and international conferences for the fields that he serves. He is also a writer, analyst and recurring source for media organizations such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR and “NBC Nightly News,” among many others. He is the co-author of “Life Stages of the Museum Visitor.”  Chung earned his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Harvard University.

            Nicholson is president of The Relevance Company, a cultural insights and strategy firm focused on helping clients with target market selection and developing strategies to deliver value by leveraging cultural connections. He has assisted organizations involved in economic development in the D.C., Los Angeles and Boston regions, examining how the public is changing and what that means for the future of those communities.  Nicholson earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University, and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

The presentation is part of Hood College’s Management Distinguished Lecture Series, which focuses on economic issues facing today’s communities. Most recently, the series featured Stephanie Hill of Lockheed Martin and Jessica Jackly, founder of KIVA.

The presentation is co-hosted by Hood College and the Frederick County  Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by chamber members, including Ausherman Properties, Harris Smariga, Leidos Biomedical Research, Linowes and Blocher, Miles & Stockbridge, Miller and Smith and Elm Street Development.  Promotional partners include the Frederick Office of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Business Development and Retention, and Frederick County Building Industry Association.  For more information contact Cynthia Miller, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, at 301-662-4164.

Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown Kick Off Third Annual InvestMaryland Challenge

Media Contacts:             
Nina Smith, Governor's Office: 410-533-0363
Karen Glenn Hood, DBED:  410-767-6318

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 17, 2014) Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown today officially launched the third InvestMaryland Challenge, Maryland’s national business competition. The Challenge is part of Maryland’s comprehensive strategy to grow the State’s thriving entrepreneurial community and create jobs -- it connects innovative startups with the resources they need to reach the next level. Winners in four categories—Information Technology; Defense and Security; Life Sciences; and Sustainability and Exploration—will each receive $100,000 grants. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) is awarding the prize money through the Maryland Venture Fund and BioMaryland Center. As in previous years, DBED is working with partners and sponsors to expand the pool of prizes that will be awarded when the Challenge concludes in the spring. Prizes include cash grants, incubator space, marketing and legal services, and opportunities to pitch investors. For more information or to apply, visit www.investmarylandchallenge.org.

Some past InvestMaryland Challenge winners created a video urging early-stage business owners to enter the Challenge. Since bringing home $100,000 grand prizes for their categories, these ambitious entrepreneurs have hired new workers, launched new product lines and earned new investment. Now they ask, "Who will be next?"

 “For three years in a row, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has ranked Maryland the #1 state for innovation and entrepreneurship,” Governor O’Malley said. “The InvestMaryland Challenge is just one part of our ongoing efforts to foster innovation, promote economic growth, and create jobs.”

“The InvestMaryland Challenge helps create jobs and grow our economy by supporting Maryland’s cutting-edge small businesses,” Lt. Governor Brown added. “We’re committed to helping our small and innovative businesses grow, thrive, and stay here in Maryland, where they’ll create middle class, family-supporting jobs for more of Maryland’s workers.”

The Challenge is limited to companies with fewer than 25 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue. New this year is that all four categories will be open to businesses located in Maryland, in other states, and abroad. Out-of-state and country winners will have to establish an office in Maryland and spend a majority of the funding here if they win a top prize. The Department also expanded the scope of the four categories to better reflect the diversity of Maryland’s startup companies.

Applications are due Dec. 12. Companies that enter in the first month of the Challenge will pay a discounted fee of $49. The fee will rise to $99 after Oct. 16. Company entries and business plans will be evaluated by teams of expert judges that include successful entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, high-tech and scientific researchers, top-level executives and others who work with startups. The top 10 companies in each category will move on to face-to-face interviews with panels of judges. Winners will be chosen from the top three finalists in each category. Along the way, applicants will also have many opportunities to network with their competitors as well as judges to connect them with potential customers and partners.

The inaugural Challenge, launched in 2012, awarded more than $425,000 in cash prizes and services and drew 259 contestants in three categories from 10 states and Washington D.C., with companies applying from as far away as California, Georgia and Massachusetts. In its second year, the Challenge added a fourth category and increased the prize pool to nearly $1 million.

The Challenge is an offshoot of InvestMaryland, one of the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s key economic initiatives. Created in 2011, InvestMaryland is a public-private partnership between the State and venture capital firms. It raised $84 million to spur growth in small, high-tech Maryland companies and is the largest venture capital investment initiative in Maryland’s history. Two-thirds of the funding – $56 million – is being managed by carefully screened private venture firms that will invest the funds and, if successful, return 100% of the principal and 80% of the profits to the State’s general fund. The remaining third of the InvestMaryland capital is largely allocated to direct investments by the state-run Maryland Venture Fund.

REALShare in September

The Frederick County Business Development & Retention (BDRD) office partnered with Turning Point Commercial and held their quarterly event, REALShare Frederick. REALShare Frederick is an event for commercial real estate professionals in Frederick and the surrounding area.  Today's attendees gathered and listened about the State of Maryland by Delegate Kelly Schulz along with the commercial market by Dave Eastep of CoStar.

Each quarter, BDRD partners with a real estate broker and makes the event available to the Frederick County real estate community. The next one will be in December and will be hosted by MacRo Ltd. For more information, please contact Jodie Bollinger at jbollinger@frederickcountymd.gov or 301-600-1058.

Homegrown Frederick

Want to know where you can get local produce, dairy and much more straight from the farm? Check out our Homegrown Frederick publication, in partnership with Frederick Magazine, now available to read online at http://issuu.com/diversionspub/docs/homegrown14 or contact us for a magazine copy!

Changes and a Job Opening for a Small Business Development Counselor

Our office recently said "See you soon!" to our Small Business Development Center Senior Counselor Beth Woodring as she has accepted a position as a Fund Manager for the Volt Fund for the State of Maryland. We look forward to working with her in other capactities as she helps distribute Maryland's Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Loan Fund to potential Frederick County companies.

This means that our department, in partnership with the Maryland Western Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at Frostburg State University, is seeking applications for a Small Business Consultant.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Frederick, MD and includes University System of Maryland benefits package.

Minimum Qualifications: MBA and at least five years of relevant business experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel). Interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of clients; excellent oral and written communications skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Five years of business ownership experience. Knowledge of the economic development community in Frederick County and an understanding of licensing and regulatory requirements, especially in technology.

For more info and to apply visit https://frostburg.peopleadmin.com/ to apply.  Application deadline is September 15, 2014.

Frederick Welcomes Nanotherapeutics to Frederick and Dr. Robert House to Back to Frederick

Nanotherapeutics, an integrated biopharmaceutical company, just announced the opening of a new location in Frederick off of Progress Drive headed by Dr. Robert V. House, formerly of Frederick's Dynport Vaccine Company, LLC a CSC Company.

With existing locations in FL and NC, the company opened this location to better serve it's U.S. government contracts. Read more of the story here.

City of Frederick Economic Development News Blog: Entrepreneurs, Get Ready to Make Your Pitch!

City of Frederick Economic Development News Blog: Entrepreneurs, Get Ready to Make Your Pitch!: Got a great business idea? Ready to pitch your startup? You're in luck, because the the  Maryland Startup Bus  is coming to Downtown F...

Frederick's Vaccinogen Makes National Business News

Big news for Vaccinogen, a Frederick-based cancer immunotherapy development company leading the way in cancer research. They have just announced the completion of an initial $80 million in financing and have appointed Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, noted pediatric neurosurgeon to Chairman of the Board.

Check out today's article in the Wall Street Journal here.

Frederick County Cybersecurity Company Luminal Receives $451K from Maryland Venture Fund

“This investment led by NEA will allow us to grow our team and expand our beta customer base in advance of general availability of our product,” said Josh Stella, founder and CEO of Luminal.

To learn more about how Maryland is investing in Frederick County companies and to read the article, please click here.

July Monthly Business Economic Indicators Now Available

The July monthly edition of the Business Economic Indicators is now available on our website to download. The good news is the unemployment rate of 5.5% is significantly lower than the state and US average, commercial rental rates are low and lower than the 5-year average, and July saw the best month of commercial and industrial construction over the last 5 years!

Download a PDF here: www.discoverfrederickmd.com/news_and_data/publications