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.

15th Annual Frederick County Business Appreciation Week Begins Next Week

County Executive Jan Gardner held a Public Information Briefing this morning, proclaiming next week as Business Appreciation Week in Frederick County. The event, now in it's the 15th year, is coordinated by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) and includes over 60 ambassadors consisting of State, County and Local officials as well as the Chamber of Commerce who will visit 112 companies in Frederick County during the week of October 19-23, 2015.  Business Appreciation Week (BAW) gives ambassador teams the opportunity to thank businesses for what they do and also identify any concerns or potential issues they may have.

Left to Right: Frederick County Workforce Services Director Michelle Day, County Executive Jan Gardner, OED Director Helen Propheter, OED Research Specialist Sandy Wagerman, OED Business Development Specialist Jodie Bollinger, OED Administrative Specialist Sharon Hipkins, OED Business Development Specialist Katie Albaugh, OED Business Development Specialist Sherman Coleman

“We need to keep the lines of communication open with business owners.  They know what works and what doesn’t.  These one-on-one meetings will help us to support our business community.  I want them to know that I mean business in terms of creating jobs, drawing new enterprises to Frederick County and supporting our vibrant local economy,” stated Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner.

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development worked with Frederick County’s municipalities and five main street managers to feature a day in their area celebrating businesses with their local elected officials.

County Executive Jan Gardner with Sandy Wagerman
and Helen Propheter displaying the map of companies being
visited during #BAW2015

Frederick County Office of Economic Director Helen Propheter said, “Business Appreciation Week gives us a chance to visit all different types of businesses. In just one day, we might visit a farm, a bioscience company, a retailer, a home-based business and a major employer. It may be a business that we’ve never met or one that just expanded or added a new product line. The variety of businesses we are able to touch in just a week is what makes this event so successful.”

The 2015 Business Appreciation Week will include an online social media Scavenger Hunt where pictures will be posted on OED’s Twitter and Facebook pages inviting people to guess which businesses they are visiting that day. All of those who guess correctly will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit on Friday, October 23rd. Follow @FredCoOED on Twitter and www.facebook.com/discoverfrederickmd.com on Facebook  or #BAW 2015 for more details.

Tech-Frederick To Offer Free Training For Candidates Pursuing Careers in IT

Tech Frederick is proud to partner with Leadership Techniques to offer a free array of classes within IT to allow people to strengthen their skill sets to make themselves more qualified candidates within IT-related fields.

Tech Frederick is proud to partner with Leadership Techniques (co-founded by David Newman and Lisa Hammer), to offer a free array of classes within IT to allow people to strengthen their skill sets to make themselves more qualified candidates within IT-related fields.

The Tech Frederick program is especially geared towards candidates who are unemployed or underemployed due to outdated skill sets. It is ideal for candidates actively searching for a position within IT networking, website development, systems administration, website application, and are seeking to improve professional communication and project management skills.

Cross-Functional Training is the first offered through this program and will be offered in five full-day sessions for candidates who are seeking employment in IT. These are skills identified by area businesses as being desired across all IT specialty areas. Training is free for candidates selected to participate. Seats are limited and selection may be competitive.

Cross-Functional Technical Training
Training sessions are scheduled as follows and will be held at the BEC -Tuesday, 10/20; Friday, 11/6; Thursday, 12/10; Tuesday, 1/12; Thursday, 2/4
Attendance at all five sessions are required for Professional Management Techniques Certification that validates the recipient has received 35 hours of formal management training in the following areas of competence:

• Customer Service
• Leadership and Communications
• Integrative Negotiations
• Project Management
• Performance Management and Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving

Additional Technical Training will be offered staring in the spring of 2016 and will focus on the following tracks:

• Modern Web Application Development
• Front-end/ Back-end Website Development
• Systems Administration
• Marketing Automation
• Sales Training

Individuals have the opportunity to sign-up to receive email notifications when new classes are added to this program. Additional information and registration is now available online at www.techfrederick.org/earn-grant

This project is funded by the State of Maryland’s EARN Maryland Grant Program, administered by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

About Tech Frederick
Tech Frederick is a joint venture of The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, and the local tech community. The organization supports local IT business owners providing advocacy, communication, networking and developing partnerships. Tech Frederick is a peer group for people in the IT industry to bring area experts together to work towards a common mission and set of objectives. There is no membership fee; anyone in the IT field is invited to participate.

Patriot Technologies Named One of the World's Hottest Cybersecurity Companies

Patriot Technologies, headquartered in Frederick, MD, was named by Cybersercurity Ventures as one of the world's Hottest Cybersecurity Companies for 2015. The Cybersecurity 500 is a global compilation of leading companies who provide cybersecurity solutions and services. Patriot Technologies was one of 14 Maryland companies who made the list.

Patriot Technologies offers the ability to integrate multiple platforms to provide a holistic approach to Mobile Device Security Management. They bring their clients mobile device visibility, awareness, compliance, authentication & authorization, mobile application security, and continuous monitoring, and can assist in establishing mobile policy and security architectures.

The selection criteria for the Cybersecurity 500 is subjective and includes some or all of the following when evaluating each company:

• Cybersecurity Sector (market category)
• Problem(s) Solved
• Customer Base
• Feedback from CISOs and Decision Makers
• Feedback from IT Security Evaluators & Recommenders
• Feedback from VARs, SIs and Consultants
• VC Funding
• Company Growth
• Published Product Reviews
• Demos and Presentations at Conferences
• Corporate Marketing and Branding
• Media Coverage
• Notable Implementations
• Founder and Management Pedigree
• Interviews with Senior Management

About Maryland's Cybersecurity Industry

Maryland is home of the U.S. Cyber Command, and at the epicenter of Cybersecurity with 12 major military installations, 50 Federal agencies, Defense Information Systems Agency, National Security Agency, NIST and the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. The state of Maryland offers Cybersecurity companies industry specific incentives such as the Cybersecurity Tax Credit, Cybersecurity Funds through the Maryland Venture Fund as well as a Tax Credit for Employer Security Clearances Costs.

The Cybersecurity industry worldwide is growing from $77 billion in 2015 to $170+ billion in 2020, according to consolidated estimates by IT research firms and analysts cited in the Cybersecurity Market Report, published quarterly by Cybersecurity Ventures.  

Welocalize Receives Deloitte 2014 Technology Fast 500 Award for the 13th Time

Frederick, Maryland – November 17, 2014 – Welocalize, global leader in innovative translation and localization solutions, has been recognized by Deloitte for the thirteenth time as one of the fastest growing North American companies in the prestigious 2014 Technology Fast 500™ annual ranking.

Welocalize has received the respected award for the percentage of fiscal year revenue growth from 2009 to 2013 among other companies in the technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, and clean technology sectors. The ranking distinguishes companies of all sizes, both public and private who are driven by technological innovation and entrepreneurship, demonstrated through their rapid growth.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized again in the 2014 Technology Fast 500,” said Smith Yewell, co-founder and CEO at Welocalize.  “Since our inception in 1997, this is the thirteenth time that we have received this honorable award from Deloitte and we view this as a reflection of our hardworking team who strive every day to exceed our client’s expectations in quality, teamwork, innovation and customer service.”

The awards were announced this past week, with Welocalize ranking #500 on the list. For more information about the Technology Fast 500™ including the complete list and qualifying criteria visit: www.fast500.com

About Welocalize – Welocalize, Inc., founded in 1997, offers innovative translation and localization solutions helping global brands to grow and reach audiences around the world in more than 125 languages. Our solutions include global localization management, translation, supply chain management, people sourcing, language services and automation tools including MT, testing and staffing solutions and enterprise translation management technologies. With over 600 employees worldwide, Welocalize maintains offices in the United States, UK, Germany, Ireland, Japan and China. www.welocalize.com

PRESS RELEASE: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/welocalize-receives-deloitte-2014-technology-fast-500-award-1968850.htm

Maryland and Frederick County are Leading the Way in a STEM workforce

Maryland is leading the nation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and Frederick County Public School's advancements in STEM training are preparing a workforce of the future.

Dr. Daraius Irani, Executive Director of the Regional Economic Studies Institute, spoke about the importance of STEM training and jobs during the annual Economic Outlook Conference at Towson University yesterday.  He stated that Maryland ranks first in the nation in STEM job concentration, 42 percent of bachelor’s degrees awarded in Maryland from 2012-2013 were in STEM fields, and 47 percent of job openings in the State require STEM skills.

Dr. Irani attributed the State’s achievements in STEM to an increase in quality educational programs. ”There has been a real purposeful effort by State schools to introduce students to STEM. That makes a difference,” he said. There are seven STEM Standards of Practice set by the state: 1) Learn and Apply Rigorous Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content, 2) Integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Content, 3) Interpret and Communicate STEM Information, 4) Engage in Inquiry, 5) Engage in Logical Reasoning, 6) Collaborate as a STEM Team, and 7) Apply Technology Strategically.

The Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) vision is that students will graduate STEM proficient and be prepared for post-secondary study and the 21st Century workforce. As a result, the STEM office of FCPS has programs designed for the elementary, middle and high school levels. During the school day, students engage in the seven STEM Practices as part of their ongoing classroom instruction. 

Outside of FCPS, the C.Burr Artz Library is home to the STEM Lab to meet the needs of area students and to support the goals of local and statewide education initiatives and the library hosts a series of monthly STEM educational classes for all ages.

FCPS reported that 99% of nearly 900 employers surveyed in 2014 indicated that FCPS students met or exceeded job requirements at their place of business, indicating that FCPS are preparing a strong workforce of the future.

Tech at Work: Smile Frederick Orthodontics Featured in Washington Post's Capital Business

3-D Printers Take Bite Out of Making Teeth Molds
by Mohana Ravindranath, Washington Post
Capital Business
November 17-November 23, 2014: Volume 5, Issue 32

Instead of gagging on the clay-like material orthodontists often use to make impressions of their teeth, patients at Smile Frederick Orthodontics bite down on a camera that scans and photographs the inside of their mouths.

Orthodontist Jim Lee uploads those images to the Internat-based cloud storage site Dropbox, where John Bifareti, owner of Gaithersburg-based Bayridge Lab, downloads them. Bifareti uses a 3-D printer to rapidly produce models of a patient's teeth, and then tailors expanders, retainers, and other orthodonic appliances to their specifications.

This digital method, which Lee has been using for the past year, is faster and more accurate than the traditional one, he said.

Before 3-D printers, orthodontists had to mix a material called alginate, which patients had to keep in their mouth for about 3 minutes until it hardened. A patient might have to come in a few times to make these alginate impressions, which staff would physically package and ship to Bayridge Lab. And sometimes alginate models became distorted in the trip from the office to the lab, Lee said.

Now, Bifareti can access the images instantly, and can print a model the same day. Bayridge Lab prints about 15 models for Smile Frederick each week, Lee estimated.

There is an added cost, Lee said-- bit it's one he and his staff are willing to pay. Bayrdige Lab charges about $20 for a 3-D printed model, covering the cost of the plastic material, while alginate models are about $4. (Bifareti noted that the price for models sometimes varies depending on the amount of plastic he needs to print them--a patient with larger or taller teeth might cost more.)

"We do save a lot of cost, indirectly, by not needing more storage space," Lee said. Traditionally, orthodontic practices kept a special room to keep plaster models for patients, he said, but Smile Frederick Orthodontics--which opened in August 2013--has not needed one so far, he said.

And not all orthodontists are trained to use a digital mode--so it may not work for each practice, he said. Smile Frederick opened in August of last year, and most of its staff has worked with digital models before, he said.

"Doctors that have been trained and used to the [plaster] models prefer them because you can hold it up an orient it, and you can't digitally. It takes a little bit of technical knowledge and flexibility on the doctors' side to be able to get used to it."

Of Bifareti's customers, only a handful have transitioned to a fully digital process, he said.

Maryland to lead CyberSecurity and FCC Offers New CyberSecurity Degree Program

Last week wrapped up Maryland's 2014 CyberSecurity Conference which drew hundreds of professionals, students and public servants to the 2014 CyberMaryland Conference which spotlighted Maryland as the nation’s epicenter for cybersecurity.

“If we invest and if we connect and if we appreciate the tremendous opportunities out there in this new world, Maryland will lead the way,” said Governor Martin O’Malley during his keynote address during last week’s two-day conference.

More venture funds are deployed for cybersecurity companies in Maryland than in any other state. Maryland awards over $1,000,000 per year in start-up funding for cyber innovation businesses. More than 15 Cyber Incubators exist in Maryland offering start-up support for innovation. The cybersecurity and STEM workforce of today and the future is here in Maryland.

On October 3, Frederick Community College was awarded $731,000 for a new cybersecurity degree training grant to create a cybersecurity degree program in partnership with other Maryland community colleges.

With the grant, Frederick Community College will develop a cybersecurity degree program and enhance its offerings in Information Technology – with an emphasis on providing high-end training, internships and IT jobs to Marylanders including veterans and their families, low-skilled workers, and underrepresented groups. The program will lead to cyber-related careers including Computer Repair Technician, Computer Network Support Specialist, Computer User Support Specialist, and Information Security Analyst.

“This grant will enable FCC to provide our students with new, world-class credentials in cybersecurity,” said David Croghan, FCC’s Interim Vice President for Learning. “Our new program will allow students to earn industry credentials, and pursue a college degree that meets National Security Agency content standards. We are excited to participate in this initiative because it will accelerate the good work that is already underway at FCC.”

Students will receive specialized academic and career planning and job search support. Many employers in Frederick County have already committed to offering students internships. The four-year program is slated to begin in fall 2015.

For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Andy Yao, ayao@frederick.edu or 301.846.2410.

Frederick County Cybersecurity Company Luminal Receives $451K from Maryland Venture Fund

“This investment led by NEA will allow us to grow our team and expand our beta customer base in advance of general availability of our product,” said Josh Stella, founder and CEO of Luminal.

To learn more about how Maryland is investing in Frederick County companies and to read the article, please click here.

Meet Intervid Inc.

                                         Six Questions with Collin Steyn, CEO, Intervid, Inc
                                         

.

                                                                 5111 Pegasus Ct, Suite C

                                                                 Frederick,  Maryland  21704

                                                                 301-698-0086

                                                                 www.intervid.com

What does your business do?

We are an Integrated Security and Fleet Management Systems provider - incorporating Video Surveillance, Electronic Access Control, Intrusion and Perimeter Detection and Vehicle Fleet Management

How long have you been in business?

Since 1984. Initially trading as Secure Data Services and since 2001 as Intervid Inc.

How many employees do you have?

23 employees

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

We have been successful in Frederick County for 30 years. This location has allowed us to attract highly skilled and experienced staff who prefer not to commute into the city on a daily basis and this location is well situated providing easy access to Washington DC, Baltimore and Pennsylvania, where we do business.

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

We actively support an education foundation in New York, the Tim Murphy Education Foundation.

We contribute to the Lou Bantle Foundation which provides treatment scholarships to active duty and veteran service members.

What are you most proud of?

The longevity of our business and our expansion into the New York, Pennsylvania and California Regions, while simultaneously providing a productive working environment that encourages our employees to be dynamic and innovative.

                                                  

Meet Comsource Inc.

Five Questions Claudia Viana, Sales Manager, Comsource

8430 Spires Way, Suite B

Frederick, MD  21701

www.comsourceinc.com

How long have you been in business?
Comsource has been in business since 2004.

How many employees do you have?
Currently we have 42 employees.

Why do you believe you will continue to be successful in Frederick County?
We chose Frederick as a location for our business for several reasons:

•  Reasonable cost of living
•  Relatively close proximity to Baltimore and Washington D.C.
•  Small town feel with attractive down-town district
•  Ability to attract talented engineering staff

What are you most proud of?
We are most proud of taking a five person company and growing it into a thriving international telecommunications research and development engineering firm with over forty employees and nine test laboratories.

Meet Acela Technologies

Five questions with Christine Demas, Project Director at Acela Technologies

5115 Pegasus Court, Suite A

Frederick, MD 21704

301-846-9060

www.acelatechnologies.com

How long have you been in business?

10 years.

How many employees do you have?

23 in Frederick and in Los Angeles, CA

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

Acela is a national company, recently opening an office in Los Angeles, CA.  The attraction to our office in Frederick is access to three major airports.  BWI/DCA and IAD give us access to get anywhere in the country with not much hassle.

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

At Acela, we know that when our communities thrive, so does our business.  This is why community engagement is so embedded in our corporate culture. Throughout our history, we have passionately supported many local efforts, including: Chamber of Commerce, School System, Local Governance, Mental Health Association, Women in Defense, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Hood College, Youth leagues, and charitable organizations like Faith Striders.

What are you most proud of?

The Acela Team. CEO Darryl Boffman has been able to attract and retain quality employees.  Building a great reputation for Acela with major corporations throughout the US.



Meet Sofpak Technologies, Inc

Five Questions with Mona Lim, Owner, Sofpak Technologies, Inc

1501 Tilco Drive, Frederick, MD 21704

301-696-7001

www.sofpaktech.com

How long have you been in business?

We've been in business for over 30 years and currently operate in a facility that is 25,000 square feet.

How many employees do you have?

We have 12 employees and are looking to hire additional personnel.

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

Frederick County has been attracting diverse business industries and we wanted to expand our customer base to include Frederick County. In addition, the location is ideal to accomodate our customers in the vicinity of Baltimore, Howard and Arundel Counties, Virginia, as well as the Washington DC metropolitan are.

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

Although we have not supported any specific outreach programs yet here in Frederick County, we have participated in various fundraisers over the years and are scheduled to support the Special Foreces Association in May of this year.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of our employees, their work ethic and being able to work with them in such a positive environment every day.

Riverside Tech Park attracts AT&T, Tox Path

AT&T's Government Solutions Division and Tox Path Specialists signed leases representing nearly 20,000 square feet of R&D and office space at St. John Properties' Riverside Technology Park in Frederick. AT&T, led by Senior VP Thomas Harvey (left), will relocate 50 employees from Virginia in part to be closer to a key government contractor. To accommodate its rapid expansion from a start-up to an industry-leading biotech, Tox Path will move 20 employees from the Technology Innovation Center in Hagerstown because of Riverside's proximity to the National Cancer Institute's new state-of-the-art R&D facility.

A Local Company is Out of This World: Galaxy Controls

Galaxy Control Systems is a global leader in the access control industry. The company, established in 1974, is located in Walkersville, Maryland.

Galaxy represents the evolution of Digital Systems Corporation, an award winning defense contractor that developed a state-of-the-art, computer controlled, microprocessor-driven system for the covert surveillance and tracking of enemy submarines for the U.S. Military. The intensive research and development from this program produced many technological discoveries and breakthroughs, including the technology that led to the development of one of the security industry's first intelligent access control panels... and the creation of Galaxy Control Systems.

For more information about Galaxy, visit their website: galaxysys.com or call their headquarters office in Walkersville at (301) 845-6600.

Local Company Awarded $50,000 Grant

Foxspire, formerly Research Automation Solutions, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). The company is located in the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. and has been a client of FITCI since June 2007.

The grant which is part of the Ft. Detrick Technology Transfer Iniatitive program sponsored by TEDCO is designed to facilitate the transfer of technology to the U. S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command of Ft. Detrick.

Foxspire designed and developed a system that tracks the institute's stock of infectious agents that enables the Army to remain compliant with Select Army Regulations. All U. S. laboratory institutions, public and private, must comply with these regulations.

Fort Detrick Business Development Office Announces Contractor Support Award

The United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is proud to announce the recipient of the contract award to support the Fort Detrick Business Development Office is Beacon Associates, Inc.

Beacon Associates, Inc. is an award winning woman-owned small business and Small Business Administration Certified 8(a) firm based in Maryland, whose core competencies include, but are not limited to: support services, organizational effectiveness and information technology. Beacon Associates, Inc. is eager to provide professional, scientific and technical support services to the USAMRMC, Fort Detrick Installation, its mission partners, the business community, industry and academia.

The United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, the acquisition support arm of the USAMRMC, is responsible for the award of this contract, with input provided by the USAMRMC and Fort Detrick Office of Small Business Programs.

Partners Launch New Information Technology Website

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, together with Frederick County Office of Economic Development and Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.(FITCI), announces a new website for Frederick information technology businesses.

The website, www.techfrederick.org, is accessible to anyone Frederick County involved in information technology work. There is no fee to be a part of the group and anyone interested can be involved. TechFrederick has three main priorities:
· Advocacy
· Communication
· Partnership

The goals are to provide an infrastructure to connect Frederick IT firms to each other, facilitating collaboration and partnerships between local technology firms; to business support resources in the community; and to cutting-edge information that keeps these IT companies competitive.

In addition to this new online resource DED, OED and FITCI will host bi-monthly TechFrederick breakfast meetings. These events will feature a range of topics relevant to the local IT community, as well as provide a forum for discussions, sharing and networking.

“Frederick has a strong and growing information technology sector. Today, there is no venue, no forum, for bringing these bright, entrepreneurial minds together,” says Heather Gramm, business development specialist with the City’s Department of Economic Development. “This new website, together with bi-monthly IT breakfast events, serve to bring those IT resources together and create a stronger community among individual firms.”

The next TechFrederick Breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday December 9th, 8:00am at the Municipal Annex Building, and will feature a discussion with representatives from SAIC-Frederick on recent ARRA monies related to IT and sub-contract opportunities.

For additional information, or to register for the TechFrederick Breakfast, visit the website at www.techfrederick.org. or contact the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development at (301) 600-6360.