Meet Fredericktowne Labs Inc.

              Six Questions with Mary Miller, Ph.D, Owner-President, Fredericktowne Labs Inc.

                               
                                                                3020 Ventrie Ct. P.O. Box 245
                                                                Myersville, MD 21773
                                                                           301-293-3340
                                                                www.fredericktownelabs.com

What does your business do?

Fredericktowne Labs is a Maryland State certified water quality laboratory.  The lab analyses for contaminants and characteristics of drinking water, natural waters, storm water and wastewater.  The lab also tests for radon in air and water and performs septic system inspections.

How long have you been in business?

We have been in business for over 29 years.

How many employees do you have?

We currently have 14 employees.

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

The need for accurate and timely analytical results and other environmental services continues to grow in Frederick County and Fredericktowne Labs is the leading provider of these services.

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

Fredericktowne Labs has provided informational talks to schools and the real estate community. The lab has also aided students with science fair projects and supports many local organizations. 

What are you most proud of?

We are most proud of the reputation that Fredericktowne Labs has achieved for being responsive to the needs of our clients and for providing consistently superior services.

Meet Vivint Solar

Five Questions with Kady Cooper, Director of Public Relations, Vivint Solar

4600 Wedgewood Blvd, Suite M

Frederick, MD 21703

415-706-9778

www.vivintsolar.com

Please describe your business.

Vivint Solar is the top residential solar provider in Maryland and the second largest in the nation. Vivint Solar offers consumers an alternative energy choice through a power purchase agreement (PPA), through which a homeowner can buy the power generated by a solar photovoltaic system at a lower rate than they could get from a local utility provider. Homeowners pay only for the power consumed and generated by its rooftop solar panels. Vivint Solar designs, installs, monitors and services the system with no additional out-of-pocket costs to the homeowner. 

Vivint Solar was built on the Vivint home security and automation business model of a regional direct sales force and robust in-house infrastructure of support and services. The result is that we now manage our own lead generation, financing, installation, monitoring and maintenance with very low balance of systems soft costs.

How long have you been in business?

Vivint Solar opened its first Maryland office in Beltsville in January 2003. Vivint Solar has been operating since June 2011.

How many employees do you have?

Vivint Solar currently employs 25 in Maryland and 2,300 nationwide. We employ sales people, site surveyors, permitting staff, installers and electricians.

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

With our past success in the state and residential solar more affordable than ever, Vivint Solar plans to grow. Vivint Solar offers consumers an alternative energy choice through a power purchase agreement (PPA), through which a homeowner can buy the power generated by a solar photovoltaic system at a lower rate than they could get from a local utility provider. The current rate in Frederick County ranges between $.07 and one-half and $.10 cents per kWh.

What are you most proud of?

To be able to offer homeowners a renewable choice in their power source at a lower rate than traditional energy. 

Meet Catoctin Popcorn

              
                    Six Questions with Bryan F. Casey, Owner, Catoctin Popcorn Company

                                                                650 Medimmune Court
                                                                Frederick, Maryland  21703
                                                                888-682-6820
                                                                www.catoctinpopcorn.com

How long have you been in business?

Catoctin Popcorn has been in business since 2001.

How many employees do you have?

We have 5 full time employees and 13 part time employees.

Why do you believe you'll continue to be successful in Frederick County?

Frederick County is blessed with some of the best citizens in the country.  The people of Frederick are very supportive of small businesses and understand the unique value small business brings to the community in variety as well as service.

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

Catoctin Popcorn has extensive involvement with organizations in Frederick county and regionally.  As a result of our fundraising program we have helped community groups raise in excess of $280,000 funds.  In addition, we have given hundreds of gift baskets and goods to many of the same groups for silent auctions for their benefit.

What are you most proud of?

We purchased Catoctin Popcorn right before the start of the great recession in 2007.  I am very proud of the fact that we have been able to thrive in a very challenging environment.  I am especially proud of our team at the company which has worked so hard to help make us successful.

Meet Pepsico

                            Six Questions with Jennifer Jenkins, Unit Sales Manager, Pepsico 

                        
                                                                631 Solarex Court
                                                                Frederick, Maryland   21703
                                                                800-929-5251  
                                                                www.pepsico.com
   

What does your business do??

Pepsi Beverages Company in Frederick, MD is a sales and distribution center for Pepsi Products to customers located in Gettysburg, PA, Thurmont, MD, Frederick, MD, Middletown, MD, Urbana, MD, Eldersburg, MD, Westminster, MD, Hampstead, MD, and Mt.Airy, MD.

How long have you been in business?

This facility has been in operation for 17 years.

How many employees do you have?

This location has 57 employees

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

Pepsi has been around since 1890 and is a well-known product.  Pepsi is innovative in products and technologies to ensure that they are meeting customer needs for a long term sustainable future.

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

Pepsi donates product for fundraiser events to 100’s of local organizations every year.  Pepsi also partners with San Mar Children’s home as a corporate sponsor.  Pepsi works with the Westminster shelter as well.  On a larger scale Pepsi also has an initiative called PepsiCo feeds America that the Frederick Employees participate in.  One of our Employees has a non-profit organization called brown bags and blankets that we support with donations that employees bring in.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud that Frederick, MD has consistently grown sales which have enabled us to continue to provide jobs in the Frederick community.  I am proud that our employees are very passionate about serving others and are always willing to give back to the community during any event that we sponsor.

Meet Microbiology International

                                Six questions with Kevin Klink, Co-CEO, Microbiology International

                                                                  5151 Pegasus Court, Suite H

                                                                  Frederick, Maryland 21704

                                                                          800-369-4276

                                                                      800EZMICRO.com

What does your business do?

Distribution, service and support of laboratory automation in the fields of microbiology and cancer research. Manufacturing of media for microbiological testing

How long have you been in business?

Since 1997

How many employees do you have?

20

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

We have been located in Frederick County since our inception in 1997 and have enjoyed being a part of the growth in the community. Frederick is a very nice place to live which helps to attract quality employees which we have many of.

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

Our company sponsors many events such as the Autism Artreach and Mission of Mercy. We have several military veterans in our employment and hire interns from technical disciplines in electronics and IT.

What are you most proud of?

We started the company in a garage in Thurmont in 1997 with nothing but credit cards and have built a very stable business with many employees working for us for over 10 years. Our media production operation has major growth potential and will allow us to hire many new employees who can contribute to the budding economy in Frederick.