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.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
REAL Share in December
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, December 1, 2014
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.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
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!
• 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!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014
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.
“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.Monday, November 24, 2014
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!
Friday, November 21, 2014
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!
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!
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