Events

Tech Showcase Features Emerging Technologies

The annual Tech Showcase offered networking on the patio and tours of FITCI. 
On June 14, 2016, the Fort Detrick Alliance hosted its annual Tech Showcase at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) in Frederick, Maryland. The event featured FITCI's new Executive Director Kathie Brady; County Executive Jan Gardner; Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement; and Dr. George V. Ludwig, the Acting Principal Assistant for Research and Technology, USA Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick. 

 “This annual event is an excellent opportunity to learn about new technologies and is an opportunity to connect with industry professionals,” said Richard Griffin, Director of The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development.

 Fort Detrick Alliance President Dr. Harry Modrow opened the event with a welcome to attendees, followed by remarks from other speakers.

 The evening concluded with tours of FITCI, Frederick County’s only business incubator. Attendees had the opportunities to meet with the entrepreneurs currently operating out of FITCI and learn more about their research and technologies.  
From left to right: Fort Detrick Alliance President Dr. Harry Modrow; Executive Director Kathie Brady; County Executive Jan Gardner; Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement; and Dr. George V. Ludwig, the Acting Principal Assistant for Research and Technology, USA Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick. 

Frederick Businesses Honored at Best Places to Work Awards Ceremony

Best Places to Work Category Winners from L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Tony Benedetto - ASI, Michelle Michael - AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Victoria Johnston - Nymeo, Richard Fouke - Antietam Technologies, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner
Frederick area businesses were recognized during the annual Best Places to Work Awards held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, Maryland on July 30, 2015. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted, and six companies rose to the top after judges completed the scoring. Scoring categories included work-life balance, median salary, turnover rate, benefits, diversity, and professional growth.  

 Primary category winners included:
Small Employer (1-10 employees)
Honorable Mention - United Way of Frederick County



Medium Employer (11-50 employees)
Honorable Mention - Go Ape

Large Employer (51-200 employees)
Winner - Nymeo
Honorable Mention - U.S. Silica

Major Employer ( 200+ employees)
Honorable Mention - Plamondon Companies

Two new categories were introduced this year: Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Most Creative Workplace Environment.

Winners in these categories included:

  • Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity – Edward Jones Investments
  • Most Creative Workplace Environment – CAS Engineering
From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Jay Wandalowski and Linda Hobbs - Edward Jones Investments,  Curt Schreffler - CAS Engineering, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner
In addition to category award winners, six businesses were recognized with the “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” award. “This award recognizes owners or presidents of companies who go above and beyond to connect with their employees,” said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick.

The 2015 Unsung Heroes in the Workplace are:
 2015 “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” Video

Helen Propheter, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, said, "These companies join an elite group of businesses committed to retaining exceptional employees and their success. We are proud of the 2015 Best Places to Work recipients and proud that they chose Frederick County as their place to call home."

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees.  The 2015 awards program is a partnership between Frederick County Workforce Services, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.


For more information and photos of the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/FrederickCountyBPTW. 

Tech Showcase Focuses on Importance of Research in Frederick

U.S. Congressman John Delaney gives his remarks to the crowd at the 2015 Tech Showcase.

On June 4, 2015, Fort Detrick Alliance hosted its annual Tech Showcase at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) in Frederick, Maryland. The event that featured keynote speaker Major General Brian Lein, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick and Deputy for Medical Systems to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, and Congressman John Delaney, U.S. Representative Maryland’s 6th District.

“This annual event is an excellent opportunity to learn about the newest technologies to come into the marketplace,” said Fort Detrick Alliance Executive Director Gloria Parsley. 

Fort Detrick Alliance President Tom Gladstone opened the event with a welcome to attendees, followed by remarks from Major General Lein and Congressman Delaney.

“Small business is what runs America,” said Major General Lein as he emphasized that groundbreaking research is done in partnership with the community, including the small businesses that Fort Detrick relies upon for collaboration. Fort Detrick’s research has focused on combat casualty care, Ebola vaccines and therapeutics, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In Congressman Delaney’s remarks, he described Fort Detrick as “a singular economic asset” for the region and underscored the importance of the research it conducts. Investing in research is the number one multiplier of any dollar spent, he explained.  For every $1 spent, $2.40 is returned on that investment.


The evening concluded with tours of FITCI, Frederick County’s only business incubator and accelerator.  Attendees had the opportunities to meet with the entrepreneurs currently operating out of FITCI and learn more about their research and technologies.  


How to Participate in Bike to Work Day - May 15, 2015


Bike to Work day is an annual event, and this year it is celebrated on May 15, 2015. Join over 10,000 area commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun, and healthy way to get to work.

 Frederick Pit Stop participants can also attend a Bike to Work Day Pre-Registration Party on Friday, May 8, 2015 from 5-8pm.  Bike to Work Day is celebrated on May 15 in Frederick at the Transit Center on 100 South East Street, rain or shine, from 6:30am-8:30am. 

 During the Bike to Work Day event, join other commuters and local dignitaries for a fun-filled morning of giveaways (including the chance to win a free bike!), commuter information, food, drinks, prizes, vendors, and FREE donuts courtesy of local business Glory Doughnuts. 

 To participate, just follow these 3 easy steps:

  1. Register to attend Bike to Work Day in Frederick.

    Make sure to choose the Frederick Pit Stop when registering so you can get your free t-shirt. T-shirts are available for the first 14,000 registrants.
     
  2. Attend the FREE Bike to Work Day Pre-Registration Party.

    The Pre-Registration Party is an opportunity to register in person for the event OR if you've already registered, pick up your free tee shirt and celebrate with other participants. The Pre-Registration Party is on Friday, May 8th from 5-8pm at The Bicycle Escape in Frederick (7820 Worman's Mill Rd., Frederick, MD 21701).

    At the party, pick up your free tee shirt, get a free bike safety check, visit neighboring businesses for great offers, and more.
     
  3. Join the Ride and Attend Bike to Work Day Activities on May 15.

    Ceremonial Ride - 6:30am
    Join us for a ceremonial Bike to Work ride with many of your commuter friends leaving Hood College / Alumnae Hall at 6:30am. This ride is just under five miles and rides many of the City’s bike lanes and routes.

    Frederick Pit Stop Ceremonial 2015 Bike to Work Day Route & Pick Up Spots
    6:45am - Depart Alumnae Hall, Hood College*
    Exit onto Rosemont and head west
    Continue on Rosemont to Lee Place
    Turn right onto Lee Place and continue north to 7th Street
    Pick up Fort Detrick riders at 7th Street and Lee Place
    Turn right on 7th into the bike lanes and continue east to East Street
    Turn right on East Street and continue south to 2nd Street
    Turn right onto 2nd Street and continue to Court Street to City Hall arriving 7-7:05am
    7-7:05am - Pick up City Hall riders and exit to Church Street
    Continue east on Church Street to East Street
    Turn right on East Street and continue south to MARC Station on left
    7:15-7:20 am - Arrive MARC Station  *Departure time is set, all others are approximate

    Bike to Work Day Event - 6:30am - 8:30am*
    Frederick Transit Center
    100 South East Street
    Frederick, MD 21701
    Rain or shine, from 6:30am-8:30am
    Enjoy a fun-filled morning of giveaways (including the chance to win a free bike!), commuter information, food, drinks, and prizes.
    *    Opening Remarks to Begin Around 7am-7:15am
Learn more about how Frederick County TransIT can help with transportation needs and commuter services for employees and employers. 

City of Frederick Day 2015 Showcases Frederick Projects

View all photos from this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis: http://bit.ly/cofpics. 

Thursday, March 12, 2015 marked City of Frederick Day in Annapolis. Each year, the City of Frederick and its partners update legislators and state leaders on City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway. 

"This provides a unique opportunity for Frederick to really showcase our community and the projects that are moving Frederick forward," said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick. The Department of Economic Development coordinates with the Mayor's office and city departments each year to plan the event.

The attendance for 2015 was strong, with representation from state delegates, senators, legislative aides, and cabinet secretaries. This year, the event had a visit from Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6), who was in Annapolis that day. He addressed the group and emphasized the importance of the proposed new hotel and conference center in Downtown Frederick.
  
Projects highlighted at City of Frederick Day 2015 included the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center / Parking Deck 6, Weinberg Center for the Arts HVAC Replacement, Frederick Municipal Airport expansion, Monocacy Boulevard/US 15 Interchange, Culler Lake Renaissance in Baker Park, Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades, and Carroll Creek Park Phase II. To learn more about these projects, visit http://bit.ly/cofday2015. 

This event was made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Council of Frederick County, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Fort Detrick Alliance, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, The Golden Mile Alliance, Tech Frederick, and Downtown Frederick Partnership.  

 Gift bags were provided to elected officials thanks to support from McCutcheon's and The Perfect Truffle. 

 View the photo album with photo highlights from this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis: http://bit.ly/cofpics. 
Thank you to our 2015 City of Frederick Day Sponsors


City of Frederick Day in Annapolis Highlights Priority Projects

Thursday, March 12, 2015 is City of Frederick Day in Annapolis. Each year, the City of Frederick updates legislators and state leaders on select City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway.

Below are the projects that will be highlighted at this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis.

Together We Can Grow Frederick’s Future
Building a Stronger and Safer Maryland

Downtown Hotel and Conference Center / Parking Deck 6

The City of Frederick is partnering with a hotel developer, selected through a competitive RFP process, to construct a privately owned and operated $64M full-service hotel and conference center in Downtown Frederick. The public on-site improvements, including public parking, will cost approximately $20M. This is the top priority of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Major Employers Group, and projected to offer many benefits, including:
  • 207 rooms with 24,000 square feet of meeting space
  • Public Parking Garages: 750 spaces (100 on-site/650 off-site)
  • 280 total jobs
  • $1.5M annually in State taxes
  • $25.8M in direct, indirect, and induced spending



Weinberg Center for the Arts HVAC Replacement
HB0364/SB0024

The Weinberg Center for the Arts is a 1,100 seat historic performing arts theater that generates 70,000 patrons and $7M in economic impact annually. The facility is in need of a HVAC replacement to continue providing programming throughout the year. After analysis by a HVAC engineering company, full replacement was recommended. The new system will provide:
  • Operational and maintenance savings in the future
  • Control of separate areas of the theater
  • Efficient and environmentally-friendly design
        




Frederick Municipal Airport
Increasing Airport Safety and Capacity

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is the second busiest airport in Maryland and well positioned to become the preferred executive airport in the region. It is seeking funding to support Phase I of a multi-year project to improve airport safety and capacity. 

This phase will include:
  • Design and demolition of aviation obstructions along Bailes Lane, etc.
  • Washington gas line relocation
  • The project will ultimately result in added capacity with corporate hangar space and extend the runway.


Monocacy Boulevard/US15 Interchange Improves Safety and Relieves Congestion
The #1 Infrastructure Priority for Frederick City and County for over 5 years

The Monocacy Boulevard and US15 Interchange will provide a full-diamond interchange, improving safety by eliminating at-grade intersections on US15. Design is complete, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2015.  The project provides:
  • Congestion relief from pass through traffic, local development, and Fort Detrick growth
  • Hiking and biking tails, sidewalks, on-street bike lanes, lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian accommodations
  • Park and Ride with 390 spaces connects to future Rails With Trails
  • This improvement complements other road improvements, such as Monocacy Boulevard Center Section Phase II, which will add 14,000 linear feet of a 4-lane roadway, alleviate congestion, create safe routes for emergency access during flood events, and add hiking/biking trails, sidewalks, and trees


Culler Lake Renaissance in Baker Park
Restoring water quality and aesthetic character

Culler Lake, in the heart of Baker Park, was established 90 years ago. Today, the park is in need of restoration to improve water quality and the aesthetic character of the lake. In partnership with Friends of Baker Park, a two-phased plan is in place to address the restoration. The project will:
  • Dredge and restore Culler Lake (Phase I)
  • Install wetlands and stormwater infrastructure to treat approximately 60 acres of untreated impervious area (Phase I)
  • Add new shared use paths and fountains (Phase I)
  • Add a pavilion and overlook, additional paths, benches, signage, pedestrian crossing and entrance features, and skate house improvements (Phase II)

  
Cleaner Water Starts Here: Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
Phase II Brings Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade

Phase I Upgrades— Complete
Frederick is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and our waterways impact the bay’s health and local sustainability. Phase I upgrades to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) have:
  • Improved solids digestion component of the plant
  • Enabled the harvesting of methane gas while virtually eliminating reliance on landfill for waste sludge
  • Reduced the city’s energy costs through co-generating electricity
Phase II Upgrades—In Progress
Phase II of the project brings an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) upgrade to the system. Already designed, construction is expected to start in March 2015 with completion in December 2016. These upgrades:
  • Bring the waste water treatment plant into compliance with recent EPA mandates for ENR
  • Will reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges to the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries

Carroll Creek Park Phase II Completion on Target for Fall 2015
A thriving world-class, mixed use urban park in Downtown Frederick

This public-private partnership has spanned six administrations. Carroll Creek Park, as a  flood control project, effectively removed Downtown Frederick from the 100-year
floodplain and restored economic vitality to the historic commercial district.
Today, more than $100 million in private investment is underway or planned in new construction, infill development, or historic renovation along the park. Phase II provides:
  • Extended park improvements totaling $15.7M in construction
  • 1 mile of new and widened multi-use paths
  • Landscape planters, lighting & water features
  • Crosswalk improvements
  • More than $100M in new and renovated private construction is planned along the new park/path sections, which will eventually result in hundreds of new jobs and increased state and local tax revenue





Nominate YOUR Frederick Business for a 2015 Best Places to Work award!


If you love the Frederick company you work for...
 
Then tell us!  Your company will have a chance to take home a coveted Best Places to Work award, window cling, and enjoy the fabulous awards ceremony. Share all the great benefits your company offers its employees with the Frederick business community. Great health insurance? Company picnics? Job training? Philanthropic efforts? Service awards? No detail is too small. Let everyone know just how great your company is.

Nominate Your Company
Deadline: March 30  
By completing the nomination form, your Frederick County business will be considered for a "Best Places to Work" award. Only one submission is needed per business. Be sure to answer all the questions to increase your chances of winning, which may require you to coordinate with your CEO or human resources department. 

 This is a great opportunity to share your best practices and inspire other organizations. Finalists and winners will be announced and celebrated on July 30, 2015 at the awards ceremony at the Delaplaine in Downtown Frederick.

And just like last year, winners will receive coverage in the August issue of Frederick Magazine. So get those nominations in! Deadline is March 30th.
 

From 2014 Major Employer co-winner, Experient, "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all the great employees at Experient who make it one of the Best Places to Work in Frederick County. Winning this award has brought Experient more local press than we've ever had, and that kind of recognition goes a long way toward retention and recruitment."

                  –Shawn Pierce, Division President, Experient Registration & Housing

If you have any questions about the nomination form, program, or awards ceremony, please call us at 301-600-6360 or visit our Best Places to Work page on Facebook. 

The Best Places to Work awards is brought to you in partnership by The City of Frederick, Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Business Development & Retention Department, Frederick County Workforce Services & The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.


3 Ways to Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Frederick

In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to encourage people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before. The big day is November 29, 2014, and Frederick is an ideal spot to show your shop local spirit. Frederick was recently named in Yelp's Top 20 Cities to Shop Local for the holidays.
  
Here are 3 ways you can show some local love and celebrate Small Business Saturday in Frederick:
  1. Get Up Early to Get a Downtown Doorbuster Bag - Show up early in Downtown Frederick to be one of the first 200 people to receive a "Downtown Doorbuster Bag Giveaway." From 10-Noon, the first 200 attendees will receive a FREE custom-designed, reusable Downtown Frederick shopping bag with deals at 40+ shops and restaurants.  Learn more: http://bit.ly/1tf21o5  
  2. Receive up to $30 back with your American Express Card - If you have an American Express card, visit http://amex.co/1AeJ1h4 to register your card and receive up to $30 back for shopping in registered small businesses. Visit the Shop Small Map to see locations city-wide. 
  3. Share How You Shop Small - In addition to using #ShopSmall on November 29, use #ShopSmallFredco to share how you shop small in Frederick.  We are partnering with the Frederick County Department of Business Development and Retention to feature photos capturing the spirit of #ShopSmall and tagged with #ShopSmallFredco via Facebook and Twitter. The photo could be you dining at a restaurant, picking up bread at a local bakery, a favorite shop or business, or just getting a jump start on your shopping.  
In the City of Frederick, 95% of our businesses are small businesses, which means they have 50 or fewer employees. Based on recent InfoUSA data, 88% of City businesses have fewer than 25 employees. 

If you live in or around Frederick, you know shopping small is a source of pride for many, and the options are endless.



Director of Economic Development Richard Griffin
getting ready to shop small this season in Downtown Frederick.

4 Events to Help You Grow Your Business

  1. FITCI Lunch and Learn - QuickBooks Set Up and Basic User Introduction

    July 16, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM @ FITCI

  2. Frederick County Chamber Monthly Business Card Exchange

    July 16, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM @ Mental Health Association of Frederick County

  3. SCORE Frederick - Business Plans for the Real World

    July 29, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM @ Bernard Brown Community Center

  4. FITCI Summer Networking on the Patio

    July 29, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM @ FITCI

7 Ways to Enjoy Summer in Frederick

Alive@5 Outdoor Happy Hour along Carroll Creek every Thursday in the summer.
Photo courtesy of Douglas Via/Downtown Frederick Partnership
Year-round, the quality of life in the City of Frederick is outstanding, but it may shine the brightest in the summer.  During this time of year, those that live and work in the area can take advantage of the many amenities that our City offers.

According to Area Development Online, quality of life is still a top site selection factor for businesses, especially as they compete for the best and brightest employees. Local companies frequently cite Frederick’s outstanding quality of life as a benefit of having their business in Frederick. From festivals to farmers markets and pools to al-fresco patio dining, Frederick’s thriving downtown, events, and recreational opportunities abound. 

Here are seven ways those that live and work in Frederick can take advantage of the summertime fun here in Frederick.
  1. Make plans to meet up with co-workers on Thursday evening on Carroll Creek for Alive@5.
  2. Pick up locally grown and organic products at one of the city’s eight farmers markets.
  3. Relax and unwind at a local park or cool off in one of Frederick’s two public pools.
  4. Attend a Sunday night Summer Concert Series show in Baker Park with friends and family.
  5. Dine al fresco at one of Downtown Frederick’s many restaurants.
  6. Stroll along Carroll Creek Park to see water lilies in full bloom thanks to the Color on the Creek project.
  7. Enjoy some family fun at a Frederick Keys minor-league baseball game.
Stay cool this month, and enjoy the many amenities that our town offers this season.  

 Looking to open or expand a business in Frederick?  Contact us for help and to find out more about our community. 

SPOTLIGHT: Fort Detrick & Federal Procurement

Colby Ferguson (Frederick County) and
Heather Gramm (City DED) with
Congressman Bartlett at SmartPROC 2012
DED staff enjoyed the opportunity to make new connections – and reconnect with many Frederick businesses – at the SmartPROC 2012 Conference on October 26th. This conference, co-hosted by SMART and Congressman Bartlett’s office, brings together the public and private sector from across the Mid-Atlantic region to help build and foster strong relationships, teaming opportunities and discuss upcoming procurement possibilities among industry, community, government and academia. If you missed the conference, you can access the speaker presentations online here.

There is no doubt that federal spending and government contracting is a major economic force in Frederick and throughout Maryland. Fort Detrick plays a significant role, as do the many other military installations in the region. While SmartPROC is a great one-day opportunity, there are resources here in Frederick County that assists businesses with federal procurement every day.

The Fort Detrick Business Development Office is dedicated to enhancing collaboration between Fort Detrick, the Mission Partners, and the business community. Located off post, at 201 Thomas Johnson Drive, the FDBDO provides the following services for those interested in federal procurement opportunities:

  • Individual Guidance Session
  • Training
  • Learning Library
  • Market Insight
  • Customized Opportunities
Learn more about the FDBDO at www.fdbdo.com.

The Fort Detrick Alliance is another resource for the business community. The Alliance facilitates communication and understanding between Federal agencies at Fort Detrick and the community at large. To accomplish this mission, the Fort Detrick Alliance works on a daily basis to build relationships between Fort Detrick and its constituencies in the region: individuals; businesses; civic, social, and educational organizations; and local and State government entities. Learn more, or become a sponsor, at www.fortdetrickalliance.org.

 
As always, City DED staff is here to assist the Frederick business community with access to information, resources, and business support services. If we can be of assistance to you, call our office at 301-600-6360 or visit us at www.businessinfrederick.com. 

2012 Frederick County Best Places to Work Winners

Five Frederick County companies were given awards last evening during the 2012 Best Places to Work awards ceremony held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center. The event, now in its 10th year, promotes recognizing top family-friendly companies as a way to showcase the best places to work in Frederick County and to increase the awareness of the quality of life opportunities for employees working in Frederick.

This year’s campaign’s criteria included the promotion of enhanced workplace culture, strong professional development, benefits and amenitites to provide work and life balance, ecouragement of community and socal responsibilities and providing tools for healthy living.

These 5 family-friendly criteria and a review of each company’s median annual salary and the organization’s rate of voluntary turnover last years were evaluated and assigned points with a weighting scoring system.

Four awards are given, based on company size:
  • Small Employer (1-10 employees)
  • Medium Employer (11-50 employees)
  • Large Employer (51-200 employees)
  • Major Employer (200+)
A new category was added this year:  an Employees’ Choice award for the company that got the most employee votes for a total of five awards.

The winners for 2012 are:
Small Category Winner:
 
Medium Category Winner:
 
Large Category Winner:
 
Major Employer Winner:
 
Peoples Choice Award Winner:
 
This year's  winners join an elite group of businesses that have won in the previous nine years. Congratulations!
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Chamber of Commerce Holds CIty Business Update


The Chamber of Commerce held its annual City Business Update at City Hall with the Mayor Randy McClement and the Board of Aldermen.   The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development was highlighted along with other city departments.   Attending the event were Heather Gramm and Richard Griffin.   Frederick is home to 3,500 businesses and 49,000 employees.

2012 Frederick County Entrepreneur Council Annual Awards


The Entrepreneur Council of Frederick hosted its annual awards dinner with 185 in attendance at Linganore Wine Cellars.   Winning awards were Carl Zukus (CV Wallets), Julia Schillaci (Soapprizes),  Phil Bowers (Fountain Rock Management), Dr. Maria Higgins (Unique Optique), Rob and Debbie Truelove (Signs by Tomorrow), Jean-Lois LePlage (Custom Imprints), and Jim Caruso (Flying Dog Brewery).  Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City  was on hand for the awards.

Networking for Small Business



Small businesses often depend on each other (b2b) networking and referrals for growth.   Frederick has a gem in RelyLocal, a locally owned Community Business Campaign which has the purpose to help strengthen small business owners and the local economy. Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development recently attended a Frederick RelyLocal networking event at the Cellar Door to connect with small Frederick based businesses.  Griffin offered that “Frederick has great resources for the small business owner – the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center as well as RelyLocal.”  Learn more about Frederick RelyLocal by checking out its website.