In honor of Economic Development Week, this month we are spotlighting creative local initiatives that are helping strengthen Frederick’s business ecosystem. These innovative programs are fostering critical connections and leveraging diverse resources to make Frederick an even better place to live, work, and play.
Here we take a look at:
Data Driven Frederick
The Program
Hood College’s Data Driven Frederick (DDF) is an analytics center designed to collect, aggregate and make available vital data and regional indicators about Frederick County. With information on the region’s health, economy, social welfare, land use and infrastructure, the centralized repository serves as a dynamic local and regional resource for area leaders across all business sectors.
The new state-of-the-art room is housed at the George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business in Rosenstock Hall and is available for community use.
The facility features three massive television screens (together spanning nearly 20 feet of wall space), along with AI-powered microphones and motion-censor cameras that help create a seamless virtual or hybrid meeting/presentation experience.
Team Effort
Hood College’s Data Driven Frederick is the result of a collaboration of efforts — with funding through a lead gift from Michael S. and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young, as well as congressionally directed spending via the Fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
Data Driven Frederick will support community organizations by leveraging the diverse skill set of faculty, student and data scientists in training.
The center will allow graduate and undergraduate students to conduct research, and interpret, manipulate and present large amounts of data as part of their coursework -- all skills crucial to the future of a data-driven world.
The work they produce will, in turn, be critical to sustain and grow Frederick's private sector, allowing businesses to build marketing plans, track consumer trends and target new growth.
Success So Far
Data Driven Frederick was launched in April of 2023 and is still piloting its program offerings through its first full semester of use.
Businesses or non-profits interested in collaborating on data projects or taking advantage of the room’s meeting/presentation capabilities should contact David Gurzick, Director of Data Driven Frederick and Chair of the George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business at Hood College.
"I extend a warm invitation to the business community to join us at the Michael S., P’09 and Marlene B. Grossnickle Young ’76, H’14, P’09 Data Driven Frederick Center at Hood College.
This is not just a hub for data analytics; it's a vibrant space where community analytics and advances in AI and data analytics converge.
Come collaborate with us, leverage our resources, and join our faculty, partners, and students at the forefront of innovation that drives real-world impact.”
- David Gurzick, Director of Data Driven Frederick
Learn more about Data Driven Frederick here.