Energy & Sustainability

Frederick based-Clym Environmental Opens New Frostburg Processing Facility

Clym Environmental (Clym), headquartered in the City of Frederick for more than 25 years, is opening a new facility in Frostburg, Maryland. On August 27th, City Economic Development staff, along with about 100 other attendees, gathered in Frostburg to mark the official opening of the company’s newest processing facility. Participants, including residents and local, state and regional dignitaries, joined Clym staff to learn more about their operations and tour the new facility. Located at a 10,000 square-foot building in the Frostburg Industrial Park, the company’s state-of-the-art medical waste recycling facility will use novel technology to sanitize biologically contaminated items and preserve plastic to be re-used and diverted from landfills. Clym currently employs 32 workers in Maryland and anticipates creating another 75 jobs to support its operations, many of those planned for Frederick as the company’s expansion continues.

At the heart of the new facility is Clym’s ozone treatment system, a proprietary technology the company has spent years developing. First, ozone is generated from ambient air; this means there’s no need to bring in or store chemical inputs onsite. That ozone is then used to disinfect regulated biohazardous waste. The treated material is then converted into safe, reusable material. The entire process will be run by solar-generated power, a deliberate choice meant to cut the greenhouse gas emissions tied to traditional thermal waste treatment methods.

Frostburg is Clym’s fourth location, joining its headquarters in Frederick, MD, and facilities in New Castle, PA and Indianapolis, IN. A fleet of 25 trucks moves waste between the four sites, giving customers higher capacity and more predictable pickup coverage across the eastern and midwestern United States.

Leading up to the Frostburg facility opening, Clym was named the Life Sciences Innovation of the Year winner at the Maryland Tech Council's 2026 ICON Awards, presented at its 38th Annual Industry Awards Celebration in June. The Maryland Tech Council is the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state. Its annual ICON Awards recognize organizations setting the standard across Maryland's technology and life sciences sectors.

The City of Frederick congratulates Clym on this expansion project and looks forward to supporting the company’s continued growth here in Frederick.

Are growth plans or expansion in your company’s future? Reach out to the City’s economic development team to schedule a meeting to review programs and resources that support growth and expansion in Frederick, in Maryland and beyond. Schedule a meeting here or call 301.600.6360.

You’re Already Paying for Energy — Here’s How to Pay Less 

Small business owners in Frederick work through their fair share of challenges and opportunities — but there’s one area where most business owners still feel like they have no control: their energy costs.  

Customers of First Energy, have experienced record rates climbing higher year after year. An increase of over 30% since 2022, and everyone is feeling the strain. High utility costs don’t just eat into profits — they can force difficult choices about staffing, pricing, or investment in your growth.  

Frederick is growing. Our costs are going up but so are our options.  Community Solar is one of those options - changing how Frederick’s small business thinks about energy.  

Welcome to Community Solar — an option that’s changing how Frederick’s small businesses think about energy.  

What’s Community Solar?  

Community Solar is a state-supported program that allows you to subscribe to a shared solar farm located right here in the First Energy region. Instead of installing panels on your property, you "subscribe" to a portion of a local solar farm. The energy generated there flows into the electric grid, and your business receives credits on your regular First Energy bill — typically saving 5%-10% monthly.  

The only difference? You’ll receive a separate invoice after credits are paid towards your bill (this is called unconsolidated billing).  In sum, your electric bill will be reduced by the credits earned.  

By participating in Community Solar you are aligning your business with values that matter, sustainability, local jobs and environmental responsibility. Whether you rent or own the property, you likely qualify.   

Community Solar Options:  

 Neighborhood Sun  

Neighborhood Sun is a Certified B Corporation focused on making community solar accessible to everyone. When a household subscribes to Neighborhood Sun in Frederick, the company donates to Mobilize Frederick, our local climate-focused nonprofit.  

It is the only Community Solar Subscriber organization domestic to Maryland and is based in Bethesda, MD. Thus far the company has helped save its commercial subscribers 1.5 million in electric costs.  

“I am not sure why everyone hasn’t jumped on this incredible opportunity,” says Peter M. a Neighborhood Sun subscriber since 2021, “… [It is] such an easy way to save on your energy bill while at the same time getting your power from the sun.  No investment in home equipment, no installation on your home and very low risk.”  

The company just released the first-ever community solar app, SunEngine TM, allowing subscribers to see their savings in real-time savings and understand their environmental impact. A perfect tool for the environmentally savvy business owner wanting to share their progress with customers! 

Learn more about what Neighborhood Sun can do for you here! 

Nexamp  

Nexamp was founded in 2007 by two Army veterans in Boston, MA. Their solar projects have generated an impressive 1,015,000,000 kWh of clean energy in 2024. But what really stands out is the way Nexamp gives back to the communities their subscribers live in.  

Here are some ways Nexamp has positively impacted Frederick: 

  • Employees have volunteered at the Annual Turkey Distribution and sponsored Downtown Frederick Partnership’s Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event.  

  • The company has donated seeds, garden supplies, and time to community garden projects in town.  

 

See how Nexamp can help you save on energy today and in the future! 

Altus Power   

Altus Power is based in Stamford, Connecticut and is a leading owner and operator of commercial and community solar projects across the country. Altus has a presence in Maryland and throughout the Nation, owning approximately 500 projects across 26 states, serving more than 36,000 Community Solar customers.   

In 2024 the company generated 322,067,187 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy. If that energy were generated by nonrenewables it would have emitted 265 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The emissions avoided are equivalent to: 

  • 28,000 gas powered vehicles in one year 

  • More than 13 million gallons of gasoline consumed 

  • Carbon sequestered by nearly 2 million tree seedlings over 10 years 

 
 Learn more about how you can make an impact with Altus Power here! 

For additional information about sustainability initiatives for businesses, reach out to the City of Frederick’s Sustainability Department at sustainability@cityoffrederickmd.gov or call 301.600.2843.

Electrifying New Additions to Downtown Frederick

Electrifying New Additions to Downtown Frederick

The City of Frederick recently cut the ribbon celebrating a collaboration with Blink Charging for the installation of 20 new IQ 200 chargers across four downtown parking garages.

The new initiative will help accommodate both residents & visitors with electric vehicles by providing convenient charging options during downtown visits. The infrastructure improvement also strategically supports the City’s sustainability goals.

Cycling in the City

Cycling in the City

With bicycle-friendly city streets, easy access to the C&O canal, beautiful rolling countryside & mountain trails, and one-of-a-kind cycling festivals, Frederick has become a world-renowned destination for peddlers of all varieties and skill levels.

Below we take a quick look through the businesses, events, trails, and community groups that help support Frederick’s vibrant peddling ecosystem.

5 Companies Leading Sustainability Initiatives in Frederick

5 Companies Leading Sustainability Initiatives in Frederick

In recent years, we have seen more and more businesses incorporate energy-saving and recycling goals into their sustainability models. Check out these five local companies that are leading environmentally-conscious initiatives — to the benefit of both company and community.

Common Market To Go Even Greener on 7th Street

Common Market To Go Even Greener on 7th Street

Earlier this month, Common Market, a community-owned organic and natural foods grocery store, announced its purchase of the former Safeway location on W. 7th Street. We caught up with General Manager Bob Thompson and Troy Sexton, the Category & Advertising Manager, to chat about the new location and their vision for it as a model of sustainability.