This month, three of our staff members celebrated milestone work anniversaries. Our Director, Richard Griffin, was honored for 20 years of service, while Economic Development Manager, Mary Ford-Naill, and Business Development Specialist, Becky Kaler, celebrated 5 years. Our final team member, Donna Goff, is currently in her 17th year at the office.
Below, we asked our team to reflect on their experience so far and share some insight from working behind-the-scenes of Frederick’s business community over the years.
Richard Griffin: 20 years
How has Frederick changed over the 20 years you’ve been in Economic Development?
My wife and I chose to make Frederick our home in back 1998 after making Maryland our adopted state, and I cannot think of any place I would rather live, work, and raise a family. Frederick was a diamond in the rough back then with empty buildings and lots of potential. Fortunately, due to the work of many we’ve emerged as a top destination for businesses, visitors, and new residents, and Frederick is being recognized for its high quality of life.
We’ve shifted our economy from canning, tanning, and knitting in days of old to banking, biotech, and brewing today. There has also been a shift in communication strategies from paper to digital which was compounded during COVID and I am fortunate to have a team of social media guru’s who get the word out that Frederick is hip and historic. Another key shift has been in business investment. When I arrived in Frederick the top valued property (and highest taxpayer) was the former Fredericktowne Mall. Today it is AstraZeneca with 750 employees and a more than $1 billion invested here. Frederick is a top tech town with more than 80 biotech companies most of which didn’t exist 20 years ago.
What Economic Development accomplishments are you most proud of throughout those 20 years?
There are so many things in Frederick which I could point to as accomplishments – mostly delivered through an incredible team and set of partners, but I will highlight a few that rise above the others for me. When I arrived in Frederick, Carroll Creek Park was unfinished having sat for a couple decades without funding or vision. As an urban planner by training, I was immediately drawn to the potential of the park as a revitalization catalyst and sought to revive the plans and obtain funding. Fortunately, elected leaders saw the same potential and together with broad team of volunteers and paid designers we turned it into an award-winning urban park which has generated $100 million in private development and hundreds of new jobs. According to Visit Frederick it is the top single destination in downtown and helps as we draw more than 2 million visitors per year. Blending great planning and economic development is amazing.
I am also hugely proud of the role my team and I have played in helping hundreds of small business entrepreneurs over the past two decades. I am particularly proud that DED has helped create and support the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc (FITCI) to incubate and accelerate the growth of tech startups, as well as TechFrederick which brings our tech community together here in Frederick.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I love people. For me hearing their stories and passions and helping in some small part make those visions come alive is simply amazing. It is clear to me after working with hundreds of business owners that innovation is what drives our economy and to a large extent our quality of place. Without Frederick’s incredible residents, workforce, and businesses we would just be another wide spot in the road, but instead we are making history today as one of America’s best cities. I enjoy the challenge of helping solve business needs from site selection, financing, and workforce to permitting and regulatory hurdles. On any given day my team and I may work with a startup business and a multinational corporation. Variety is the spice of life and Frederick is growing more diverse each day. I really enjoy working with and helping underrepresented populations as they start new businesses and build family supporting jobs and wealth here in Frederick.
What trends are you seeing now in The City’s economy and community? What’s next for Frederick?
As my boys are finishing college and high school it is clear that jobs of the future are changing fast and I hope that Frederick is able to be an innovation leader and keep our young professionals right here. Every job today is a tech job. Technology is changing the way we do business. From logistics and eCommerce to manufacturing and R&D, businesses need trained workforce. Building workforce pipeline through our public and private schools, community college, and institutions of high learning is critical to maintaining business investment.
Businesses of the future are going to places where workforce wants to live so quality of place matters to. I am confident that Frederick is on the right road and am proud of our small part. Kudos to my economic development partners who are just as focused on the future including the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, Visit Frederick, TechFrederick, Maryland Tech Council, Maryland Department of Commerce, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Downtown Frederick Partnership, Golden Mile Alliance, East Frederick Rising and so many more. Together we will do our part to maintain and improve this community we call home. Go Frederick.
Mary Ford-Naill: 5 years
Five years in, what does a typical week in Economic Development look like?
I came to this role from the private sector with a commercial real estate background and as a business owner. So, it was relatively easy to understand and identify with the entrepreneurial mindset and transition to this governmental role supporting business creation and growth. I can’t believe it’s been five years already! That being said, it is next to impossible to describe a “typical” week in economic development.
Every day is unique, and my calendar is often packed with meetings, business visits, presentations, and events. The pace is fast and ever-changing! Sometimes, I receive several hundred emails a day so prioritizing and multi-tasking is key!
I like to say we all wear a lot of “hats” and are always “juggling” priorities. Our days can be filled with visiting businesses from start-ups to larger employers, providing them resources and insight on programs at the local and state level and more. We go behind the scenes and learn about how a company landed here in Frederick, get a pulse on what is going well or what challenges they might be facing, and help to provide insight, ideas, or solutions to support the company’s growth and expansion plans. We work with companies help to navigate complex processes internally and externally. This can range from planning and permitting, to tax credit programs, incentives and more. We attend events and conferences to help support industry growth in key sectors of the Frederick economy.
I feel like we are consummate connectors and collaborators! Economic Developers are a compilation of business consultant, advocate, cheerleader, coach and more!
What has been the most rewarding part of the job so far?
From experiencing the start of a new business or even expansion of a business’ footprints in Frederick, I think it is so rewarding to witness firsthand these important milestones in an entrepreneur’s life or a company’s history. Imagine being on the sidelines observing a local biotech that started in Frederick’s incubator move through clinical trials to create life changing vaccines with global implications. Or watching a single mom of four with dreams of owning her own business, walk through the doors at City Hall, seek guidance and resources to map out her plan and go on to smash her business projections.
This week, our team supported our County Economic Development partners in conducting Business Appreciation visits at over 120 businesses. At those visits, I was reminded that each business story is unique and special, and I was fortunate to relive those start-up moments through the eyes of the company owners that we met with. And talk about rewarding —- to close out this week, we will see a 16-year-old entrepreneur realize his dream and open his first business in Downtown! It just doesn’t get any better than this! The rewards of being in the economic development profession are many!
What do you think people would be surprised to learn about Frederick’s economy & business community?
In economic development, we interact with lots of businesses, from all different industry sectors. Frederick has a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, biotech, technology, government, educational institutions and more. Generally, the vibe remains strong and new businesses are continuing to crop up around the city. Our proximity to the DC/Baltimore corridor helps to somewhat insulate our local business community from significant economic factors. Despite current inflationary pressures, workforce challenges and supply chain issues, most businesses experienced strong revenue in 2021 and 2022 and they seem to be optimistic for the upcoming year. And, based upon the number of ribbon cuttings and grand openings on our calendar, Frederick remains a great place for opportunity and entrepreneurship.
I remain impressed by this Frederick business community – how they band together when there are challenges and celebrate when there are successes. I’ve seen this firsthand in everything from the craft beverage industry to the tech industry, from manufacturing to biotech. Frederick businesses are stronger together, even resilient, because of collaboration and connectivity. It is the kind of community that continually steps up to support each other!
What advice do you have to businesses already in or looking to locate to The City of Frederick?
Our City, County and State partners work closely to create programs and resources to that help to provide a strong foundation for starting or growing a business here. We hear it time and time again - that Frederick is unique, special! People tell us it is not like this in other communities, where every facet of the community is in sync! So, if you are thinking of starting a business here or growing your existing business, make Economic Development your first stop! We’ll get you connected - plugged into resources and programs – so that you can map out your plan to business success!
Donna Goff: 17 years
what is your favorite thing about our community?
I appreciate the small town feel we still have but at the same time, it feels like a “City”. You are just as likely to run into 10 people you know per day, and meet 5 new ones. Perfect blend!
What Economic Development projects have you helped work on over the years?
I’ve watched the process for the desire for a downtown hotel grow and gain momentum. Our office has been a part of that project every step of the way. As well, our small staff of 3 (at the time), started both the Golden Mile Alliance and Techfrederick. Both nonprofits have morphed and grown into what a lot of people know them as now. I anticipate big things from both groups.
What is the most interesting part of your job?
No 2 days are EVER the same. There are things I’m still finding out about The City and how we function. And because we are located downtown, I get to experience all of the activity and people every day.
How can your role be of assistance to someone in the Frederick business community?
If you are a business or someone thinking about starting a business, if you have a random question about some service the City Government might provide, whether its related to business or not, I pride myself on being THAT person to track down a contact/person and solving the issue/problem/concern.
Becky Kaler: 5 years
What makes Frederick an attractive place to live and work?
I always say The City of Frederick is a “best of both worlds” kind of place. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s big and little; historic and modern; urban and country; artistic and scientific. It’s the most unique environment and just jam-packed with character.
What has been your favorite part of the job?
The people! Although its now the second largest city in the State of Maryland, Frederick hasn’t lost its small-town charm. Our business community is incredibly friendly and welcoming. I love meeting the personalities behind a business, seeing the support that fellow business owners provide each other, and enjoying the amazing collaborations the people of Frederick engage in.
What do you wish more people knew about the City OR Economic Development?
There is so much information available to the public online. Our main City website and our Departmental website are chock full of fascinating maps, plans for the future, databases, reports, board meetings, resources, business stories … you name it! Let us know what you want to know more about and we’re happy to help point you in the right direction.
What advice do you have to someone looking to start a business in Frederick?
Give us a call! Like I mentioned before, there are just so many resources available to help a business just starting up in our community. We can help make sure the right ones are on your radar. We love helping businesses better understand the road ahead and how to most efficiently navigate the process to opening their doors here in the City.
