REALShare Gets Real in Frederick

REALShare Frederick is a quarterly event for commercial real estate professionals who have commercial properties in Frederick. The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) created this program in 2014 as a way to ignite local commercial real estate conversations.

OED Director Helen Propheter said, "REALShare has put our office in an advantageous position within the state to be one of the first economic development groups to offer this to our commercial real estate professionals. The events have helped us form deeper relationships with this sector who is often the front door of prospect opportunities." Jodie Bollinger, Business Development Specialist, Commercial Real Estate for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development agreed, adding, "Real estate brokers get the latest from leading deal makers and network with the industry's best."

OED Director Helen Propheter welcomes the group to the first REALShare of 2016.

Justin Ausherman of Rockpoint Commercial and Gary Large of
Waynesboro Construction discuss their projects available.

Building on the success of the inaugural year, REALShare also covers informational topics hosted at a local property for sale or lease. The events are so popular that OED has been able to secure hosts for the next 18 months of meetings.

The first REALShare of 2016 was held at Rockpoint Commercial's Aspen Ridge Professional Center located 163 Thomas Johnson Drive. The keynote speaker was Gary Large of Waynesboro Construction who talked about the construction trends and pricing of the commercial industry in Frederick.  Approximately 45 real estate agents attended the March meeting with many first-time attendees.

Dawn Furman Gordon, Senior Vice President of American National Properties said, "The REALShare events are very important for me to attend as a commercial brokerage agent in Frederick County. This is our opportunity to learn, network and share information with the commercial brokerage community as well as learn pertinent news and data with Frederick County Economic Development Office. I look forward to our next event and appreciate the time and effort that is put into these meetings."

Approximately 45 attendees networked with one another.

Several projects were announced at this month's event including Fitzgerald Realty who announced that Miscellaneous Metals moved to a newly renovated facility in Walkersville at the former Rotorex building to lease 112,000sf with another 90,000sf available  JKJ Properties announced the available industrial lots at Frederick Preserve located in Ijamsville.  Clagett Enterprises announced that the 3rd office building will break ground this Summer at the Conley Farm. Warner Commercial announced available space at the Shiraz Plaza on Thomas Johnson Drive.  Matan Companies announced plans and opportunities for the Wedgewood West site.


The next quarterly meeting will be held in May with Kline Scott Visco hosting. These events are open only to commercial real estate professionals. For more information, please contact Jodie Bollinger, Frederick County Office of Economic Development at 301-600-1058 or jbollinger@frederickcountymd.gov.

Economic Development Annual Report Showcases “Where Big Ideas Grow”

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) is proud to present the 2015 Economic Development Annual Report.  The report covers the work of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and includes economic data to make the strong case for why businesses decide to locate and expand in Frederick County.

The 2015 Economic Development Report highlights eight major economic drivers for the year, identifies area of major commercial development, selected announced locations and expansions, reports on wineries, breweries and distillery growth as well as small business development and minority business outreach successes. OED worked with 46 companies that decided to locate and or expand in Frederick County in 2015. Those businesses represented over 900,000 square feet of office space and 726 jobs.

“It was a year of innovation across the County,” said Director Helen Propheter. “We are grateful this year to have the support of our elected leaders to help grow our economy. In 2015, the County Council passed a Commercial & Industrial Business Tax Credit for manufacturers, and Executive Gardner restored support for agriculture business development and small business funding opportunities.” Ms. Propheter reflected, “Our small business development efforts had a record-setting year in business starts and job creation. We worked with municipalities and minority business like never before.  We look upon the past with pride, and the future with great optimism.”

Frederick County received several notable national quality of life accolades in 2015 including recognition by Money Magazine, Livability.com, Movoto Real Estate and The Military Times.