Frederick County Minority Entrepreneurs Celebrated by Business Leaders

Over 60 people attended the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED)’s Minority Business Vision Appreciation Event last evening at Café 611 to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of minority business owners in the community.

Guest speaker Jimmy Rhee, Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, issued a challenge for the minority business community to usher in a new era of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit in Maryland. He stressed in a business climate where the minority is the majority, the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs seeks to empower small,women-owned and minority-owned businesses so that they can compete with confidence in both the public and private sectors.

OED's Director Helen Propheter introduces Special Secretary
Jimmy Rhee

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner addressed the crowd with comments about how this is a great time to live in Frederick County and be a member of such a prosperous, diverse and talented community. She spoke of how she ran on an open and transparent platform with a goal to build a community where all people are valued recognized, and encouraged to achieve their dreams. “I welcome and embrace the diversity of Frederick County and I have a vision of what Frederick County can be when all in our community are participating and sharing in a prosperous economy.  I believe the best is yet to come for Frederick County,” said Executive Gardner.

“We have the fastest growing Asian and Hispanic population in Maryland,” commented the Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development Helen Propheter. “Asian-owned business increased 68% from 2007-2012 and Hispanic-owned businesses increased 25% during the same time frame. African American-owned business ownership also increased 5% from 2007-2012. The Frederick County Office of Economic is working hard to provide tailored business resources to the growing minority population in Frederick County,” she said.

From Left to Right: Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner; Shannon Humphries,
 BB&T; Isabel Lopez; Latrice Lewis, Frederick County Workforce
Services; Michelle Day, Frederick County Workforce Services.

In partnership with Frederick County Workforce Services, the program also recognized an outstanding youth working with Workforce Services for her achievements within the program. The certificate was presented to Isabel Lopez Garcia and a donation of $700 was made on behalf of platinum sponsor BB&T and the Minority Business Vision to the Workforce Development Board Youth Education Fund so that other youths like Ms. Garcia can continue to receive support.

The event’s Platinum Sponsor was BB&T and the Gold Sponsor was MaxLife, LLC. Silver Sponsors included: Frederick County Bank, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Thrasher’s Cleaning Service and New York Life. Bronze Sponsors were Café 611, Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Asian American Center.

Nominations Open for 2016 Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards

Nominations are now open to all Frederick County businesses to enter for the Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards. Companies can be considered by completing an online nomination form http://bit.ly/bestplacesfred2016. Nominations will be accepted through April 30, 2016, and winners will be announced at the annual Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards ceremony and reception on July 28, 2016.

Companies are evaluated on a variety of criteria, including employee compensation and benefits, business culture, human resource metrics, and special employee engagement programs. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with their Human Resources Manager or other leadership staff to ensure the application has all of the relevant and up-to-date requested data included in the nomination. Only one nomination form per company is needed.

Winners and honorable mentions are awarded in the following primary categories: Small Employer (1-10 employees), Medium Employer (11-50 employees), Large Employer (51-200 employees), and Major Employer (200+ employees). Based on applications, the nomination committee may also give special awards to recognize companies for outstanding or unique programs. Past special awards have included “Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity,” “Most Creative Workplace Environment,” and “Unsung Hero in the Workplace.”  This year, the nomination committee will give special recognition to companies that have outstanding health and wellness opportunities and policies for employees.

About Frederick County Best Places to Work
The Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards campaign is in its 14th year and is a county-wide program to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees. Best Places to Work Awards is a partnership between Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

To nominate a company for the 2016 Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards, visit http://bit.ly/bestplacesfred2016.

For more information and updates on Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards, visit https://www.facebook.com/FrederickCountyBPTW.

Annual Business Reception Honors Business Leaders and Highlights Year of Positive Growth

Five innovative businesses were honored for their emerging technologies at the Frederick County Office of Economic Development's (OED) Annual Business Reception in front of over 200 guests this evening at Dutch's Daughter. The Office hosts the business reception each year as a way to business leaders and to thank partner agencies for the year's accomplishments.

OED Director Helen Propheter said, "Great things get accomplished with great companies who have bold, new ideas" and for them, they were honored. The 2015 Frederick County Business Leaders are:

• Patriot Technologies, named one of the world's Hottest CyberSecurity Companies by CyberSecurity 500.

• RoosterBio, Inc, a stem cell manufacturing company and product of Frederick's biotech incubator Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc (FITCI). 

• Welocalize, recognized for the 11th consecutive year as a Fastest Growing Company by Inc. 5000.

• American Association for Laboratory Accrediation (A2LA), the only independent, non-profit, internationally-recognized lab accreditation body in the U.S. and headquartered in Frederick.

• GlamourView Farm who blends agriculture and technology in new ways with robotics.

From L to R: Helen Propheter, Director, Frederick County Office of Economic Development; Jan H. Gardner, County Executive, Frederick County Government; Gene Iager, Owner, GlamourView Farm; Roxanne Robinson, VP & COO, American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA); Steve Keefe, President, Patriot Technologies, Inc; Jon Rowley, Chief Executive & Technology Officer, RoosterBio, Inc; Bud Otis, Council President, Frederick County Government. Not pictured: Smith Yewell, President & CEO, Welocalize.

Reflecting on 2015 as a year of positive growth for the department with a new name change and the move to 118 N. Market Street to create the new Downtown Innovation Center, Director Helen Propheter said, "The momentum is happening locally but also at the national level," pointing to a list national accolades received by Frederick County. She said new programs, business incentives and positive economic indicators were highlighted as evidence of a strong, local economy. Job growth in Frederick County has increased by seven percent and unemployment is down 2% since 2011. "Ninety percent of companies we visited this year said they expect business in 2016 to continue to improve. That's evidence of a growing economy," said Ms. Propheter.

There are several new projects on the horizon for 2016 including a Small Business Loan Guarantee, Small Business Tax Credit and expanded and revitalized agribusiness programs for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. To view the video of award winners and the evening's presentation, please click here. To view more photos from the event, check out the photo gallery on OED's Facebook page. Videos are also available on OED's Youtube Channel.

The 2015 Frederick County Annual Business Reception was sponsored by Gold Sponsors: CorpOHS and Miles & Stockbridge. Silver Sponsors were Frederick County Bank, Sandy Spring Bank and Swift Systems. Bronze Sponsor was FCG TV. 

On the 12th and Final Day of Shop Small Saturday, My True Love Gave to Me

On the 11th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

Happy Thanksgiving! Two More Days til Shop Small Saturday

On the 9th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 8th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 7th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 6th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 5th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 4th Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 3rd Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 2nd Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

On the 1st Day of Shop Small: Sing for Your Neighborhood

Sing for Your Neighborhood: The 12 Days of Shop Small begins Tuesday, November 17

Commercial Realtor Bus Tour Highlights Frederick County as an MVP

The winning team has been assembled and VIP tickets have been handed out. It's almost kick-off time.

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development will host a group of top producing Washington DC/Baltimore area commercial real estate brokers on November 5, 2015 for their Commercial Realtor Bus Tour which highlights the prime commercial properties available in Frederick County. The lunch reception will feature special guests Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Michael Campanaro and Ravens Ring of Honor/Super Bowl Champion alumni Michael McCrary.

This year's bus tour theme is Frederick, Maryland Most Valuable Place (MVP) and game day consists of  a starting line-up of sponsors whose award-winning strategic plays will highlight available commercial properties. The Playbook consists of stops in Downtown Frederick, Riverside, Thomas Johnson Drive, Golden Mile, Jefferson Town Place Center, Ballenger Center, Westview Corporate Campus, Russell Property, Westview South, Wedgewood Business Park, Wedgewood West, McKinney Business Center, Westview Business Park, Frederick Coporate Park and Urbana Corporate Center.

The Halftime Show is sponsored by 5202 Presidents Court Avison Young which will showcase 65,042 square feet of Class A Office Space. All-Star Sponsors include: Matan Companies, St. John Properties, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Rockpoint Commercial, CIM, Jefferson Place Corporate Campus & Town Center, Frederick Indoor Sports Center (FISC), and Frederick Land Company. The Game Changer Sponsors are Hill Management and the Tourism Council of Frederick County, Maryland. For more information about Frederick County's award-winning plays and strategies for success, please contact the Frederick County Office of Economic Development at 301-600-1058 or visit www.discoverfrederickmd.com.

Business Appreciation Week: Day 5 - FITBIT GIVEAWAY DRAWING DAY!

It's the last day of the 2015 Frederick County Business Appreciation Week. Today's visits take us to the North in Thurmont and back into the City of Frederick. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for photos of the businesses we are visiting today and guess where we are. You can also follow #BAW2015. All correct guesses are entered in a drawing for a FitBit to be given away in a drawing at 3pm today.

Friday's Scheduled Visits:

• Wild Birds Unlimited
• Avemco Insurance Company
• Soldierfit
• Frederick National Laboratory/Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc
• Crisafulli's Cheese Shop
• Centro Hispano de Frederick
• American Spine
• Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre
• Expert Consultants, Inc
• Spartan Tactical and Police Supply
• CWP Tech Solutions
• Asian American Center
• Sweet Farm Sauerkraut
• St. John Regional Catholic School
• Pam's Rusty Treasures
• Thurmont Child Care Center, Inc
• Criswell Chevrolet of Thurmont
• Anytime Fitness of Thurmont
• EMA Construction

Business Appreciation Week: Day 4

Day 4 of Frederick County Business Appreciation Week takes us all over the County to Middletown, Walkersville, Woodsboro, New Market, and Mount Airy.

Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for photos of the businesses we are visiting today and guess where we are. You can also follow #BAW2015. All correct guesses are entered in a drawing on Friday to win a Fitbit!

Thursday's Scheduled Visits:

• Rhosymerdre Design
• Catoctin Construction
• Mountain Spirit Yoga
• Gude Brothers Greenhouses
• Orchid Cellar Meadery + Winery
• JSB Woodworking
• Trout's Market
• Southern States - Woodsboro
• Barrick Garden Center
• Abloom, Ltd
• Walkersville Feed Company
• Clara L. Winch, CPA LLC
• Cruise Planners
• Express Marketing Design & Runkles Service
• Santa Fe Trading Company
• Happilo
• Fleshman's Antiques
• Polymer Clay Express at the ArtWay
• Twin Ridge Auto and Light Truck Services, Inc
• Building Energy Diagnostics & Retrofits
• Gaver Farm
• Loew Vineyards

#BAW2015 Fact

Small businesses significantly impact Frederick County's economy. Maryland defines a small business as one that does not employ more than 50 people. 98% of Frederick County's businesses meet the definition of a small business. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Frederick County is the busiest in the Western Maryland region, last year assisting in the direct start-up of 13 new businesses and 70 new jobs. 

Business Appreciation Week: Day 3

Day 3 of Frederick County Business Appreciation Week is our busiest day of the week. Our visits will take us to Downtown Frederick as well as businesses in the Frederick 21701 zip code. The majority of the County's business base is located right here, in the County Seat and Center of Commerce.

Be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for photos of the businesses we are visiting today and guess where we are. You can also follow #BAW2015. All correct guesses are entered in a drawing on Friday to win a Fitbit!

Wednesday's Scheduled Visits:

• United Way of Frederick County
• L.P. Calomeris Realty, LLC
• State Farm Agent, Darius Mark
• Custom Imprints
• Industrial Home
• Someone With Group, LLC
• Canapes Catering
• ALTEK Information Technology, Inc
• Talon Construction, Inc
• Tenth Ward Distilling Company
• The Little Pottery Shop
• A Girl's Best Friend
• Welcome Home Realty Group
• Digital Age Solution, LLC
• Elliott CPA, LLC
• Elliott Marketing Solutions, LLC
• Weinberg Center for the Arts
• Shala Wellness Center
• The Shala Yoga and Pilates Studio
• Mosaic Power
• Moore Wealth, Inc
• Regent Education
• Hunting Creek Outfitters
• Frederick County Bank
• Whidden Willow
• Time Bomb Tattoos & Curiosities
• VINI Culture wine bar and cafe
• Chic to Chic
• White Lion Social
• Sass Magazine
• The Knot House
• The Potter's Guild of Frederick
• Frederick Brick Works
• North Market Pop Shop
• The Piedmont Group
• Integrity Consulting
• McClintock Distilling
• Natural Artistry Photography
• Found Souls Studio

#BAW2015 Fact

Frederick’s historic 50-block Downtown offers thriving restaurants, independent shops, and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene with more than 150 one-of-a-kind specialty shops and more than 50 eateries. Over 3,000 employees work in the Main Street area at nearly 700 businesses or organizations. Downtown Frederick was recognized as one of the Top 10 Downtowns in America by Livability.com, Top 8 Small Town Comebacks by CNN and one of the Top 25 Small Cities for Art by American Style Magazine, and several more notable accolades.