Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Specialized Engineering Opens Doors for Business Visit
Frederick County Commissioners and The Business Development and Retention division met with Mr. Charles R. Mitchell, Vice-President of Specialized Engineering for a business visit. Specialized Engineering is an employee-owned firm which was founded in 1992 in Ijamsville, Maryland. The company has since grown and is recognized as one of the premier engineering firms in the Mid-Atlantic region. Specialized Engineering moved to its present Frederick location 2 1/2 years ago at 4845 International Blvd. Suite 104, occupying 8,000 square feet and employ 93 people. They operate on two shifts and according to Mr. Mitchell their location is very strategic to the Washington Metropolitan area. Specialized Engineering services include Construction Materials Testing and Inspection, Laboratory Testing and Analysis, Geotechnical Engineering and Environmental Consulting. Some of the projects that Specialized Engineering has been involved with include, The City of Frederick Parking Garage, The Frederick County Public Schools Board of Education Building, Georgetown Waterfront Park, District of Columbia Employment Services and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
For more information about Specialized Engineering, visit their website at www.specializedengineering.com
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Frederick County Recognizes Plamondon Companies
Frederick County Commissioners Blaine Young and C. Paul Smith along with representatives from the Frederick County Business Development Advisory Council gave recognition to Plamondon Companies for their contribution to Frederick County. Representatives from the company were Co-Presidents Peter Plamondon Jr., and brother James N. Plamondon.
Plamondon Companies is a Frederick, MD based company that operates four Marriott Corporation branded hotels in Frederick, MD and Hagerstown, MD and is the franchise company for Roy Rogers Restaurants. In 1980, the company opened its first Roy Rogers franchise, at the time owned by Marriott, in Frederick. The Plamondons entered the hotel business during the mid-1990's. The company is the largest hotelier in Frederick County, owning and operating three of the area’s most successful hotels: Fairfield Inn & Suites (the first built in the state), Residence Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott. The Plamondon Companies is also the franchisor of the Roy Rogers brand and operates 18 restaurants throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Plamondon Companies employs 800 people, 300 of which are employed in Frederick County.
Ground was broken on the first green LEED design hotel in the Frederick region on March 9, 2012 by the Plamondon Companies who will operate the 120 room property. The new Towne Suites hotel will be located near the Westview Promenade.
For more information about Plamondon companies please visit their website at www.plamondonhospitalitypartners.com
Friday, June 1, 2012
Commissioners Propose Business-Friendly Water & Sewer Capacity Fee Payment Changes
FREDERICK, MD – As part of a concerted strategy to improve the business-friendly climate in the county, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners today voiced unanimous support for extended payment plans for water and sewer capacity fees, sometimes referred to as connection fees, paid by small businesses. County regulations currently require the fees to be paid in full before building permits are released, but proposed policy revisions will allow a payment plan for businesses so they don’t have to pay all fees upfront as they expand or start-up their operations.
The board will take the proposal to a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on August 7, at Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.
Board President Blaine Young commented, “Since the day we took office, this board has proactively responded to concerns raised by the business community about overly burdensome regulations, including the policies regarding water and sewer fees. The proposed revisions will allow much more flexibility to business owners and allow them to come up with a financial long-term plan to pay the fees. This change is yet one more way that this board is working to be business-friendly during challenging economic times.”
The county’s current water and sewer rules only allow capacity fee payment plans for existing structures that have well or septic system failures. The board’s proposal would expand the fee payment option to small businesses to aid with their construction and expansion plans. For example, if a business expansion required the payment of $36,392 in water and sewer capacity fees, $25,000 is eligible for the extended payment plan. If a desired repayment of the eligible amount would be over 10 years, the quarterly payment would be approximately $775 to repay the $25,000 capacity fees that would have otherwise been paid prior to the release of a building permit.
The board will take to public hearing changes to the water and sewer rules and regulations administered by the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management.
For more information, contact division Director Kevin Demosky at 301-600-2997 or via e-mail at kdemosky@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
The board will take the proposal to a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on August 7, at Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street, Frederick, Md.
Board President Blaine Young commented, “Since the day we took office, this board has proactively responded to concerns raised by the business community about overly burdensome regulations, including the policies regarding water and sewer fees. The proposed revisions will allow much more flexibility to business owners and allow them to come up with a financial long-term plan to pay the fees. This change is yet one more way that this board is working to be business-friendly during challenging economic times.”
The county’s current water and sewer rules only allow capacity fee payment plans for existing structures that have well or septic system failures. The board’s proposal would expand the fee payment option to small businesses to aid with their construction and expansion plans. For example, if a business expansion required the payment of $36,392 in water and sewer capacity fees, $25,000 is eligible for the extended payment plan. If a desired repayment of the eligible amount would be over 10 years, the quarterly payment would be approximately $775 to repay the $25,000 capacity fees that would have otherwise been paid prior to the release of a building permit.
The board will take to public hearing changes to the water and sewer rules and regulations administered by the Division of Utilities and Solid Waste Management.
For more information, contact division Director Kevin Demosky at 301-600-2997 or via e-mail at kdemosky@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Weekly Business Visit to QIAGEN
Lindsey Howard, Vice President of Quality Assurance of QIAGEN Inc., hosted Frederick County’s Business Development and Retention Division (BDRD) weekly business visit attended by Commissioner Paul Smith, County Manager David Dunn and Acting Director Helen Riddle of BDRD.
QIAGEN, Inc., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies that are used to transfer biological materials into molecular information. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. QIAGEN has developed and marketed more than 500 samples and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides these products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN’s technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. The panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as the “gold standard” in testing for the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and comparison diagnostics.
QIAGEN employs approximately 3,900 people in over 35 locations worldwide. According to Mr. Howard, “QIAGEN’s mission is to make the world a better place to live, not only through scientific discovery and application but through sustainable stewardship. Located at 6951 Executive Way in Frederick, QIAGEN employs 100 people. The company has been in Frederick since 2008, and has been experiencing rapid growth.
For more information about QIAGEN please visit their website at www.qiagen.com.
QIAGEN, Inc., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies that are used to transfer biological materials into molecular information. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA, and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. QIAGEN has developed and marketed more than 500 samples and assay products as well as automated solutions for such consumables. The company provides these products to molecular diagnostics laboratories, academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and applied testing customers for purposes such as forensics, animal or food testing and pharmaceutical process control. QIAGEN’s technologies include one of the broadest panels of molecular diagnostic tests available worldwide. The panel includes the digene HPV Test, which is regarded as the “gold standard” in testing for the primary cause of cervical cancer, as well as a broad suite of solutions for infectious disease testing and comparison diagnostics.
QIAGEN employs approximately 3,900 people in over 35 locations worldwide. According to Mr. Howard, “QIAGEN’s mission is to make the world a better place to live, not only through scientific discovery and application but through sustainable stewardship. Located at 6951 Executive Way in Frederick, QIAGEN employs 100 people. The company has been in Frederick since 2008, and has been experiencing rapid growth.
For more information about QIAGEN please visit their website at www.qiagen.com.
Emmitsburg Business Day
Blaine Young, President of the Board of County Commissioners and Frederick County Manager Dave Dunn met with two businesses in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
The first visit took place at the Emmitsburg Glass Company located at 100 Creamery Court. Mr. Greg Reaver, Vice President and Mr. Allen Knott, Chief Financial Officer hosted the visit and provided valuable information regarding the company. Founded in 1988, Emmitsburg Glass Company, Inc. is a full service glass and glazing contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Emmitsburg Glass Company employs 100 people at their 53,000 square foot headquarters and serve customers located primarily in Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.
The Company’s services include engineering, fabrication, installation of architectural aluminum and glass systems, aluminum composite and steel panel systems, bullet and blast resistant glazing systems, and fixed and operable window systems for the exterior facades of commercial and multi-residential buildings.
Emmitsburg Glass Company was ranked as the 20th top glazers in the country and the fourth largest in sales in Maryland.
For more information about Emmitsburg Glass Company, visit their website at www.emmitsburgglass.com
The second visit was to the Carriage House Inn located at 200 South Seaton Avenue. Mr. Bob Hance, owner, was the host for this visit. Mr. Hance opened the restaurant in 1980, after moving from Rockville, Maryland. The Carriage House Inn offers quality cuisine and gracious service in an elegant colonial atmosphere. The building was built in 1857 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. The lunch menu features homemade soups, including their signature cream of crab soup and the dinner menu features tender, mouth-watering steaks and a selection of fresh seafood, veal, pork, and chicken entrees.
The Carriage House Inn offers both on and off premises catering and is the perfect setting for weddings, banquets, rehearsal dinners and more. The Tack Room is one of the two private rooms that can accommodate up to 50 guests.
The other private room is the Joann’s Ballroom which can accommodate up to 150 people. For catered events and menu options visit their website at www, carriagehouseinn.info
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Permitting Fees at Last Year's Rates to Encourage Business Friendly Climate
FREDERICK, MD – Frederick County permitting fees were due to automatically increase as of July 1 by 3.2 percent to keep pace with inflation this year. But, with business-friendly goals of utmost concern to the Frederick Board of County Commissioners, the board recently chose to keep rates the same as last year.
The board also agreed to clarify fee schedule policies in the Community Development Division to provide clarity and consistency with other regulatory issues in the Department of Permits and Inspections. It establishes, eliminates and/or clarifies other fees for certain approvals that are a result of new or modified planning and development review approval processes and also incorporates comprehensive planning and zoning fees into the fee schedule to coincide with the division’s reorganization last year.
Key changes in the fee schedule include the clarification to the “agricultural buildings” definition to be consistent with the building code; establishing of a “minimum permit” fee instead of a “per square foot” charge, and elimination of the fire code revision fee charged for additional plan reviews. In addition, the board will exempt the county’s capital improvement program from payment of the fees in accordance with its strategic goal to “consider eliminating review fees for county capital projects.”
Board President Blaine Young commented, “We believe that holding the permitting fees at the same rate is good for business, and what is good for business is good for Frederick County. The decisions the board has made are part of our strategic goals to consider proposals to reduce, alter or eliminate rules and regulations to help improve county processes.
“We commend our employees for working diligently to help businesses more easily and efficiently navigate their way through the process. We welcome continued feedback from our citizens -- from the homeowner to the large business to the small business.”
At the beginning of their term in office, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners initiated a review of over 200 recommended changes to rules and regulations as part of their goal to improve the “business friendly” atmosphere in Frederick County, and have made good progress toward completion.
The items on the “business friendly action items” list were proposed after meetings with officials from the former Permitting and Development Review and Economic Development Divisions and members of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Builders Association, commercial business representatives and many other stakeholders.
The changes coincide with the Board of County Commissioners’ proposed Strategic Plan goal of providing improved predictability for businesses. The goal states that “Frederick County needs to implement predictability in the business community in order to reduce inefficiencies, allow cost control, provide an effective process and increase understanding in daily business processes within Frederick County Government.”
For further information, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/permits or contact Director Gary Hessong, Permits and Inspections Department, at 301-600-1172 or via e-mail at ghessong@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
The board also agreed to clarify fee schedule policies in the Community Development Division to provide clarity and consistency with other regulatory issues in the Department of Permits and Inspections. It establishes, eliminates and/or clarifies other fees for certain approvals that are a result of new or modified planning and development review approval processes and also incorporates comprehensive planning and zoning fees into the fee schedule to coincide with the division’s reorganization last year.
Key changes in the fee schedule include the clarification to the “agricultural buildings” definition to be consistent with the building code; establishing of a “minimum permit” fee instead of a “per square foot” charge, and elimination of the fire code revision fee charged for additional plan reviews. In addition, the board will exempt the county’s capital improvement program from payment of the fees in accordance with its strategic goal to “consider eliminating review fees for county capital projects.”
Board President Blaine Young commented, “We believe that holding the permitting fees at the same rate is good for business, and what is good for business is good for Frederick County. The decisions the board has made are part of our strategic goals to consider proposals to reduce, alter or eliminate rules and regulations to help improve county processes.
“We commend our employees for working diligently to help businesses more easily and efficiently navigate their way through the process. We welcome continued feedback from our citizens -- from the homeowner to the large business to the small business.”
At the beginning of their term in office, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners initiated a review of over 200 recommended changes to rules and regulations as part of their goal to improve the “business friendly” atmosphere in Frederick County, and have made good progress toward completion.
The items on the “business friendly action items” list were proposed after meetings with officials from the former Permitting and Development Review and Economic Development Divisions and members of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Builders Association, commercial business representatives and many other stakeholders.
The changes coincide with the Board of County Commissioners’ proposed Strategic Plan goal of providing improved predictability for businesses. The goal states that “Frederick County needs to implement predictability in the business community in order to reduce inefficiencies, allow cost control, provide an effective process and increase understanding in daily business processes within Frederick County Government.”
For further information, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/permits or contact Director Gary Hessong, Permits and Inspections Department, at 301-600-1172 or via e-mail at ghessong@FrederickCountyMD.gov.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Middletown receives Main Street accolades
Just because a municipality receives Main Street accreditation doesn’t mean it always enjoys certification status.
The designation must be earned annually.
Main Street Middletown recently received the honors for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street methodology for strengthening the local economy and protecting historic buildings. "Middletown fits the bill", said Burgess John D. Miller, who congratulated Main Street Middletown manager Becky Reich for her work during a recent town meeting. “In addition, Becky has been named a certified tourism ambassador, which also brings some attention to Middletown and allows her to provide services to groups coming to Middletown,” Miller said. “All of these things are good for Middletown as we work to become a day destination.”
— Ike Wilson The Frederick News Post Monday, May 21, 2012
Main Street Middletown recently received the honors for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street methodology for strengthening the local economy and protecting historic buildings. "Middletown fits the bill", said Burgess John D. Miller, who congratulated Main Street Middletown manager Becky Reich for her work during a recent town meeting. “In addition, Becky has been named a certified tourism ambassador, which also brings some attention to Middletown and allows her to provide services to groups coming to Middletown,” Miller said. “All of these things are good for Middletown as we work to become a day destination.”
— Ike Wilson The Frederick News Post Monday, May 21, 2012