This statewide week long event is sponsored by the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and is designed to increase an understanding of economic development’s contribution to the State’s business climate, job retention and growth, the tax base and the overall quality of life in Maryland. MEDA is a nonprofit organization of economic development professionals. Established in 1961, MEDA members promote the economic well-being of Maryland by working to improve the state’s business climate and the professionalism of those in the field of economic development.
Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner issued a proclamation for the week and OED kicked off the celebration with a free seminar on "How to Write a Press Release that People Will Read." Recognizing that businesses who write effective news releases helps sell the community as an ideal place to do business, Vivian Laxton, Communications Director for Frederick County Government, presented information to businesses on the basics of writing an effective press release and how to choose the appropriate channel for news releases. Attendees also receive information about how to use PRFrederick, a free online press release tool that any business in Frederick County can use as service of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and City of Frederick Department of Economic Development.
The work week ended with a business visit to BlueLinx, a leading building products distributer in Frederick County with 72 employees. Formerly Georgia Pacific, BlueLinx employs 1,700 people in North America.
In the spirit of celebrating economic development and the role that minority business play in Frederick County's community, the Minority Business Vision hosted a networking event at Cafe 611 on Friday evening. Despite the hazardous flooding which prevented many people from driving that evening, the event was still well attended.
While economic development took center stage in counties, cities and towns throughout Maryland where proclamations were made heralding the significant projects that have made Maryland a great place to live, work and play, Frederick County was no exception. Recent major economic development projects ranging from the Carroll Creek Project, Research Park development, Frederick Municipal Airport growth, planned communities like the Villages of Urbana and Jefferson Tech Park, Frederick's Innovative Technology Center, Inc. to major economic development projects underway like the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center and the Frederick Center for Research & Education in Science & Technology (CREST) all have the potential for having longstanding economic, social and cultural benefits to citizens and businesses alike.
