Why College Graduates Will Stay in the City

In a recent survey of local college students, 76% indicated they want to live in a city with an active downtown after graduation.

By Michelle Kershner

Each year, local colleges and universities graduate hundreds of students in Frederick County, and cities all over the country are vying for this talent. According to a fall 2015 survey of local college students, Frederick has what it takes to retain this talented workforce after graduation.

Over half of all students surveyed indicated they want to call Frederick home after graduation. Almost 60% "Agreed" or "Strongly Agreed" that they would choose to live in The City of Frederick. 

According to a Gizmodo article, this new generation is seeking not just large cities, but cities right-sized for them. According to the story, “Thanks to the generation’s size and influence, millennials are moving to new places made just for them, by them—revitalizing smaller cities or opting for hybridized urban-burb enclaves where quality of life is the driving force.” 

Downtown Frederick also has the quality of life amenities these new professionals seek. According to the survey results, the following city attributes ranked high among students: 

• 76%* want to live in a city with an active downtown after graduation
• 76%* want to live in a city with many restaurants, bars, and shops
• 78%* want to live near parks and outdoor activities

"We're pleased that Frederick's amenities align closely with what recent graduates are seeking," said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for The City of Frederick.

Frederick is increasingly recognized as a great place for young professionals. Again in 2016, Frederick was named one of the "10 Best Places Near Washington, D.C. for Young Professionals" by Movoto.com. Frederick ranked at the top on Niche.com's 2016 list of "Best Towns for Millennials in Maryland."  

Sites ranking best cities for millennials or recent graduates use a variety of criteria, including job opportunities, access to bars and restaurants, and affordable housing. According to Niche.com a "high ranking indicates that a town attracts millennials with an affordable, diverse community and lots of things to do." Frederick was recently ranked by wallethub.com as one of the most diverse small cities in America, coming in at #8. 

The local survey also revealed other important information about how graduates choose where to live. Nearby 90% of all respondents want to live near where they work and 60% want to live with other recent graduates. 

"Having recent grads choose to remain in Frederick is great for our community and great for businesses that rely on a talented workforce," said Griffin. "We're proud they want to call Frederick home." 

About the Survey - The survey was developed by Fall 2015 intern Nick Masucci from Hood College. 103 responses were gathered and 97% of respondents were undergraduate college students at the time of taking the survey. 85% of respondents were enrolled at Hood College at the time of taking the survey.

*percentage derived of students that "agreed" or "strongly agreed" they wanted to live in a city with these attributes.

Michelle Kershner is the Business Development Specialist for the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development. 

Video Debut: "Work Where There's Room to Play" - Frederick, Maryland

The City of Frederick's new three minute film, "Work Where There's Room to Play," showcases the benefits of working in Frederick, Maryland. From thriving Downtown Frederick to outdoor activities, the film highlights the opportunities of life outside of work.The three minute film debuted on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Downtown Frederick Partnership's "Movie Night on the Creek" event. 

The project was developed after Tech Frederick, a Frederick area non-profit that advocates for the local IT industry, indicated recruiting top talent to Frederick was a priority. While the film was developed with IT professionals in mind, any Frederick area business can use it in coordination with their recruitment efforts. 

"There are many advantages to working in Frederick," said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for The City of Frederick. "This three-minute video features Frederick's great downtown, the arts, amenities, and quality of life we all know and love. It shows that Frederick offers a great place to play when people get off of work." 

Local talent featured in the film included narrator, Ashley Miles, local musician and Frederick resident; Jeanne and Eric Rhodes, Frederick residents; Steve Ellis, recruiter for local software development company Regent; and Justin Saltzman, insurance agent and community volunteer. They volunteered their time to appear in the film.

Local company Digital Bard produced the film with additional film footage courtesy of Visit Frederick, Downtown Frederick Partnership, and drone footage by Mike Purks. 

3 Ways Businesses Can Use This Video
Businesses can use this video in three ways to support their recruitment efforts: 

1. Share it. The easiest way to use this video immediately is to share it on your website's employment or recruitment page. Use this to link to the video: https://youtu.be/aXaanozKY_Q. You can also share the video via Facebook. 
2. Make it Yours. Customize the existing video with your company's message or branding at the beginning and end of the video. Contact the production company, Digital Bard, to discuss this option.
3. Be Inspired. Use this as inspiration to develop your own recruitment video to meet your individual hiring needs. 

This Week on Carroll Creek: March 18, 2015

The snow is melting, revealing the progress on Carroll Creek Park.  With warmer weather ahead, work will continue to build the shared use paths and Phase II improvements. These images show recent work and progress along the creek.  

Connect with Us for Updates

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates on this project and others. 

About the Next Phase of Carroll Creek Park

This next phase of park improvements will include new and widened multi-use paths, landscape planters, lighting, water features and crosswalk improvements. The work will occur primarily between Bentz and S. Market Street and between the Delaplaine Arts Center and East Patrick Street. 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. 

4 Offers and Ideas from Clustered Spires Golf Course

For some industries, golf and business go hand-in-hand.  An article in The Economist (Why golfers get ahead, November 21, 2011), emphasizes that, “As a form of corporate entertainment, golf's first virtue is that people of any age can play it.” It is the preferred sport for many looking to connect with clients and coworkers outside of the office. 

Clustered Spires Golf Club

was established in 1991 as the first public golf course in Frederick County, and is owned and operated by the City of Frederick. The 185 acre course was formally a working dairy farm and the Monocacy River surrounds the golf course on 3 sides, creating a beautiful setting while providing a natural barrier from outside distractions. 

Looking towards 2015, here are some current offers and ideas from Clustered Spires Golf Club that may be right on par for your favorite golf-loving colleague, client, or for your own company: 

1. Book Your Outing or Event – Clustered Spires Golf Course successfully runs over 110 outings per year, and its PGA Professional staff has collectively over 51 years of management of charity golf events. Learn more about booking an event.

2. Annual Golf Membership – Find yourself on the links a lot? Play unlimited golf anytime for a year with an annual Golf Membership. Learn more about membership online or call for details: 301-600-1295. (Price: Adults - $1,200; Juniors - $300)

3. Dress for the New Year- Happening Now: 25% Off all in-stock men’s and women’s golf shirts.

4. Golf Lessons & Personal Club Fitting With a PGA Professional – Clustered Spires’ Don Frost was named Golf Digest Top Teacher of 2013. Frost was ranked as one of the best teachers in the state of MD and top 500 in the country. He is the Director of Golf and General Manager of Clustered Spires Golf Club. Learn more about lessons.

Learn more about the amenities and offerings at Clustered Spires Golf Club. 

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/1AeJ1h4to 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.

This Week on Carroll Creek: September 17, 2014

Where the Sidewalk No Longer Ends

In less than 8 weeks, significant progress has been made between the Delaplaine Arts Center and South East Street.  Where the sidewalk used to end, the grade has been brought up to continue the shared use path. Construction is moving at a fast pace in this area, and The City expects it to move beyond South East Street soon.  

September 16, 2014

September 16, 2014

Styrofoam blocks are used to reduce the weight of fill on top of the storm water conduits. 

Connect with Us for Updates

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates on this project and others. 

About the Next Phase of Carroll Creek Park

This next phase of park improvements will include new and widened multi-use paths, landscape planters, lighting, water features and crosswalk improvements. The work will occur primarily between Bentz and S. Market Street and between the Delaplaine Arts Center and East Patrick Street. 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.

12th Annual Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards

Congratulations to all of the 2014 Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards recipients.

Those recognized, shown left to right: Karen Smith, St. John Regional Catholic School; Vaughn Thurman, Swift Systems; Nick Damoulakis, Orases; Pat Fitch, Batelle National Biodefense Institute; Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr., Fort Detrick; Michael Shollenberg, Regent Education; Jean Peterson, Jean Peterson Design; Lisa Shuster, iHire.com; Shawn Pierce, Experient; and Adrienne Weikert, Canapes.

On August 5, 2014, the 12th annual Frederick County Best Places to Work Awards event recognized local businesses for their workforce and family friendly practices.  The event was held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center and honors the top companies in the area while also bringing attention to the quality of life opportunities employees have in Frederick. 

For each nominee, five family-friendly criterion were evaluated, along with a review of each company’s median annual salary, turnover rate, and diversity practices.

Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists and winners. View photos from the event. 

2014 Category Finalists and Winners

Small Employer: 

Swift Systems

Honorable Mention:

Jean Peterson Design

Medium Employer: 

Orases

Honorable Mention:

Canapes Catering

Large Employer: 

Batelle National Biodefense Institute

Honorable Mention:

Regent Education

Major Employer: 

Experient & Fort Detrick

This year, there was a tie in the Major Employer category.  Congratulations to both outstanding winners. 

People’s Choice: 

St. John Regional Catholic School

The People’s Choice Award was based on the company that has the most desired unique benefits. 

Most Creative Work Environment:

iHire

A new category, “Most Creative Work Environment,” was added this year.  

The event is a joint partnership between Frederick County Workforce Services, The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Business Development and Retention, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

Thank You

Thank you to this year’s sponsors, all of whom are previous award winners. Without their generosity, the 2014 event could not have happened: 

• Country Meadows Retirement Communities

• Canam Steel

• ClinicalRM

• En-Net Services

• Morgan-Keller Construction

• Hood College

• ImQuest BioSciences

• Dr. Harvey Levy & Associates

• The Law Offices of Scott Alan Morrison

• Plamondon Hospitality Partners

This Week On Carroll Creek: August 1

Phase two work along Carroll Creek has started 

between the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center and S. East Street. 

The current construction shown in these photographs is the development of initial infrastructure including retaining walls and grading needed to extend park amenities and the shared use path between the Delaplaine and S. East Street.  Other ongoing efforts include new park amenities, widened paths and improved lighting between Baker Park and Market Street.

Connect with Us for Updates

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates on this project and others. 

About the Next Phase of Carroll Creek Park

This next phase of park improvements will include new and widened multi-use paths, landscape planters, lighting, water features and crosswalk improvements. The work will occur primarily between Bentz and S. Market Street and between the Delaplaine Arts Center and East Patrick Street. 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.

This Week On Carroll Creek Park - July 21, 2014

If you are down on South Market or Bentz Street, you'll see construction and improvements continue along Carroll Creek, bringing new, widened terra cotta shared-use paths for pedestrians, joggers and bikers. 

Just beyond the Delaplaine on S. Carroll Street, block is being laid to raise the creek walls to allow for flower beds and retaining walls, as part of landscaping improvements.

 Between Market Street and Court Street, excavation of top soil is underway for the installation of new fountains.

Connect with Us for Updates

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the most recent news and updates on this project and others. 

About the Next Phase of Carroll Creek Park

This next phase of park improvements will include new and widened multi-use paths, landscape planters, lighting, water features and crosswalk improvements. The work will occur primarily between Bentz and S. Market Street and between the Delaplaine Arts Center and East Patrick Street. 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.

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.