Economic Development: Bringing Business Resources Closer to You

Business inspiration can strike anywhere, and meaningful partnerships often begin with a simple conversation. That's why the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development is meeting entrepreneurs where they are through Economic Development Offsite Hours, making it easier than ever for entrepreneurs and business owners to access one-on-one support. In addition to scheduling meetings at our office, businesses can connect with DED staff at three convenient partner locations every month to discuss business growth, available resources, permitting questions, financing opportunities, workforce needs, and more. Walk-ins are welcome at most locations, and appointments are encouraged when available.

DED Offsite Hours Locations

• FITCI (Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.)

  • FITCI - 321 Ballenger Center Drive, Suite 125
    Third Tuesday of each month | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Meet with DED staff at FITCI, Frederick's premier business incubator and innovation hub, to discuss business development, entrepreneurship, and available City resources for life sciences and biotech start-ups.

• Coworking Offices

  • Second Wednesday of each month | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    DED rotates monthly between Cowork Frederick, SHIFT Work + Play, and Federated Charities to make business assistance more accessible to entrepreneurs where they work. Business owners can stop by or schedule an appointment in advance.

• Centro Hispano de Frederick

  • Centro Hispano de Frederick - 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD 21702
    Third Thursday of each month | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
    In partnership with Centro Hispano, DED offers bilingual business support and resources to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and expand their businesses. Walk-ins are welcome.

Whether you're launching a new venture, expanding an existing business, or simply exploring available resources, DED's Offsite Hours provide an easy way to connect with the City's business development team. Visit the City's Economic Development Calendar for upcoming dates and locations at www.businessinfrederick.com.

SHE WEEK: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs and Community Leadership

SHE Week celebrates the women who are opening businesses, strengthening communities, and building pathways for continued growth. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 Small Business Profile, small businesses account for 99% of all businesses in Maryland and employ 1.2 million people. Of the state’s 696,000 small businesses, 46% of them are women-owned. These figures highlight the vital role entrepreneurship plays in Maryland’s economy and underscore the value of supporting initiatives that expand access for entrepreneurs and small business owners to connect with resources and build meaningful relationships.

Over the last several years, SHE Week has transformed into a three-day event focused on supporting and developing women through education, networking, mentorship, and partnerships. The event, managed by the Frederick County Chamber and their Women in Business Committee, provides opportunities for women throughout Frederick County to build professional connections, gain practical skills, and learn from other business and community leaders.

Acacia Bowens , co-chair for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business committee, and an entrepreneur herself, said, “S.H.E. Week may only be one week, but for many women, it’s the start of something much bigger. I’ve watched women walk in carrying the weight of the world and walk out inspired, renewed, and celebrated. I’ve seen She Pitch winners go on to open storefronts, grow their teams, and take their businesses further than they’d imagined. I’ve seen friendships from that week turn into mentors, collaborators, and lifelong support systems. That’s what S.H.E. Week really is, not just one week, but a beginning, for the women and for Frederick County.”

This year’s theme, “Unleash,” focused on encouraging women to recognize their potential, challenge limiting patterns, and approach leadership and professional growth with greater confidence and purpose.

S.H.E. Week Conference

The week began with Conference Day at the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, featuring a full day of speakers and workshops focused on leadership, communication, professional development, and sustainable growth.

Deputy State’s Attorney for Frederick County Joyce King encouraged attendees to move beyond self-imposed limitations and approach leadership with greater confidence, drawing on both professional experience and personal perspective.

Liz Marion, owner of Liby Works, focused on communicating effectively and with confidence in a variety of professional settings, emphasizing the importance of adapting communication styles to different audiences and circumstances.

Karmin Jenkins, of Inner Healing for Abundant Living, Inc., addressed the role of boundaries in effective leadership and sustainable professional growth.

Dr. Olivia White, Ph.D., focused on developing influence and creating a lasting professional and community impact.

Together, the sessions provided attendees with practical approaches to leadership, communication, and professional development. The conference also incorporated wellness activities, including Pilates sessions, throughout the day.

S.H.E. Pitch Competition

The next phase of SHE Week, S.H.E. Pitch provides women entrepreneurs with an opportunity to present their businesses and business concepts to a broader audience. Added in 2021, the competition includes both idea-stage and growth-stage businesses, with finalists receiving cash prizes, publicity, and networking opportunities.

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development is a long-time sponsor of the SHE Pitch Competition. Two staff members serve as committee members during the evaluation phase, and our Economic Development Manager, Mary Ford-Naill, serves as a judge on the night of the event. Our team is proud to support our partners in initiatives that increase access and engagement for our entrepreneurs.

Beyond the competition itself, S.H.E. Pitch provides a platform for entrepreneurs to refine their messaging, gain exposure, and connect with potential customers, partners, and other members of the business community. The six finalists, all women-owned businesses, had five minutes to make a pitch to a panel of judges to win a $5,000 award, as well as other prizes, including a $250 voucher for printing services, a 1 year co-working membership and free tax strategy consulting, while the Growth Stage winner also receives an ad package from “Sass“ magazine.

This year’s award recipients included Dr. ChaCha Hudson, founder of The SEWcial Café, who received both the Growth Stage Award and People’s Choice Award. Janelle Perfetto, owner of Limitless Physical Therapy & Wellness, won the Idea Stage, while Chanin Storm of The Healing Storm Holistic Wellness received the SHE’s Rising Award.

Photo credit: Crvnka Photography

S.H.E.RO Awards

SHE Week concluded with the SHERO Awards, recognizing women who have made significant contributions to the community through leadership, service, and perseverance. The SHERO Awards are divided into three categories – strength, heart and equality and are nominated by members of the Frederick community. 

Wendy Addington with Kyle’s Crusaders took home the Strength award for her work in raising funds for research into combating cancer in children. Karlys Kline, founder of the Women’s Giving Circle, was given the Heart Award for her trusted leadership and guidance to create enduring impact in Frederick County. Ashley Vancleef of Law for Parents was given the Equality award for her mission to assist parents to navigate the education systems and effectuate their child's legal rights and protections so that their children succeed.

The awards celebrate and shine a light on women who are triumphing over adversity, demonstrating extraordinary care for others or leading change in the Frederick County community.

Left to right: Wendy Addington (Strength), Karlys Kline (Heart), and Ashley Vancleef (Equality). Photo Credit: Crvnka Photography

Taken together, the events of SHE Week highlight the range of ways women contribute to Frederick’s business and civic landscape; from entrepreneurship and professional leadership to mentorship, community service, and advocacy.

Helen Propheter, set to take over leadership of Frederick County Chamber of Commerce in September, has been involved in SHE Week since its inception, "SHE Week was a powerful celebration of the strength, leadership, and impact of women in our community. As I look toward the opportunity to serve as the next Chamber President, I am inspired to continue building a Chamber where all are empowered to lead, connect, and create meaningful change.”

Women entrepreneurs represent a significant part of Frederick’s local business community. SHE Week provides demonstrates the value of creating opportunities for women to exchange knowledge, develop professional relationships, and connect with resources. SHE Week contributes to a stronger and more connected local business ecosystem by bringing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community members together.

Casey Beins, recently promoted to Director of Marketing and Communications for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce earlier this year, said, “S.H.E. Week 2026 was an incredible reminder of what can happen when our community comes together to celebrate and invest in women. From the energy of Conference Day to the excitement of S.H.E. Pitch and the celebration of our SHERO Award recipients, we were proud to create spaces for women to connect and recognize what makes Frederick County such a special place.”

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development team is committed to supporting Frederick’s entrepreneurs and business owners. If you are starting your entrepreneurial journey, or you are growing your business and want to learn about resources and connections, reach out today by calling 301.600.6360, or schedule a meeting with our staff here.

SelectUSA: Showcasing Frederick to International Companies

In May, the City and County of Frederick Economic Development teams participated in Select USA Investment Summit, hosted at National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The annual conference is designed to attract international businesses and support their transition into the U.S. market by connecting them with incubators, incentive programs, commercial real estate opportunities, local business networks, and government contracting resources. Over the course of three days, Frederick’s economic development representatives met with international business delegations, site selection consultants, service providers, and fellow economic development organizations from across the world to share Frederick’s story and highlight the community’s strengths as a place to invest, innovate, and grow.

Prior to the conference, Frederick hosted a SelectUSA spinoff tour, during which approximately a dozen international entrepreneurs representing a variety of industries visited Frederick City and County. During their visit, the entrepreneurs toured local biotech and tech companies, met with community and business leaders, and engaged with key stakeholders to better understand the advantages of establishing and expanding operations in Frederick. The tour provided an opportunity to showcase Frederick’s collaborative business environment, strategic location, highly educated workforce, and strong quality of life.

Frederick offers a unique combination of resources, location, culture, and community appeal that makes it the perfect spot for U.S. expansion. Through our alignment with the Maryland Soft Landing Program, international companies get the opportunity to test out the U.S. market at an affordable rate by partnering them with companies to provide access to facilities, resources, advisors, and more. Frederick’s soft-landing incubator, the Frederick Innovation and Technology Center (FITCI), fosters innovation and supports entrepreneurial success by providing world-class resources, coaching, connections, customers, and a vibrant community. This program aims to bridge the gap between global innovators and the U.S. market by leveraging FITCI’s diverse community, CEO Roundtables, and Frederick’s thriving business and social ecosystems. You can learn more about the Maryland Soft Landing Program and FITCI here.

Photo of City Economic Development Team attending SelectUSA Summit

The City, County and State economic development teams work collaboratively with prospects to provide connectivity to programs and resources as well as to support partnering and innovation within the biotech ecosystem. Participation in events like SelectUSA plays an important role in supporting a strong, resilient, and diverse local economy. By building relationships with international companies and industry leaders, Frederick continues to position itself as a competitive destination for investment and job creation. These efforts help strengthen the community’s economic foundation, support opportunities for residents and businesses alike, and contribute to maintaining the high quality of life that makes Frederick such a desirable place to live and work.

To connect with our city, county, and state economic development team and explore international opportunities, you may arrange a meeting with us here.

Frederick's First Spanish Business Mentorship Program

The first ever Spanish speaking business mentorship program Visión Empresarial is a Spanish business mentorship program offered by Centro Hispano de Frederick in close collaboration with Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED), the City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development (DED), the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Small Business Development Center. Tailored specifically for Spanish speaking entrepreneurs, this six-week program, modeled after FCOED’s EmPOWER Mentorship program, equips aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs with practical skills to grow and strengthen their business. This program is a collaborative effort led by local partners committed to supporting Fredrick’s small business community, providing participants with hands-on guidance, mentorship, and tools they can immediately apply to their ventures.  In investing both financial resources and staff support, the City helps ensure that aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs have access to the guidance, training, and connections they need to grow successful businesses.

Heather Gramm, Director of Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity said, “Frederick County has offered the EmPOWER Mentorship Program for several years now with great success. This year we were excited to collaborate with community partners and be able to offer the same impactful program in Spanish. This expansion into Spanish-language programming reflects our commitment to ensuring that all Frederick County residents have access to the tools and support they need to build successful businesses. Between the knowledge and skills they’ve built over the past six weeks, the support of their fellow entrepreneurs, and the opportunity to utilize the EmPOWER Loan Program, this cohort is well-positioned to grow and thrive as business owners in Frederick County.”

Visión Empresarial began as an idea from Ariel Rodriguez Mercado, Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor for Northwest Mutual. This concept began to take shape when he shared this vision with other community partners like Dr. Suzanne Salichs and Dan Blum with Centro Hispano, and Patricia Mir with the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, among others.

“Vision Empresarial is a true collaborative effort; the team at Centro Hispano and Maryland Hispanic Chamber of commerce, led by Dr. Suzanne Salichs and Patricia Mir, played a major role in refining, developing, and executing the program into what it is today. Their leadership and commitment, along with the support of many community partners, helped transform an idea into a meaningful initiative for Frederick's Hispanic business community.

As I reflect on the journey of Vision Empresarial, I am incredibly excited about what lies ahead and the impact this program can continue to have on our community. What began as a simple idea has grown into something meaningful, empowering entrepreneurs with knowledge, confidence, and connections. The success of our first cohort is a testament to the power of collaboration, and I truly believe this is only the beginning of even greater opportunities ahead. Vision creates opportunity; collaboration turns it into reality." - Ariel Rodriguez Mercado

During the six-week course term, participants attended workshops led by the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the program’s state partner, who delivered instruction on key business fundamentals such as planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and operations. These sessions are designed to give entrepreneurs the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate common business challenges while building a strong foundation for long-term success, and reviewed these topics:

• Introduction to Entrepreneurship 

• Planning for Your Business

• Managing Your Business 

• Marketing Your Business 

• Growing Your Business

• Doing Business in Frederick/Graduation

The program concluded with a graduation celebration that featured a pitch round for the participants, presentations and support from community partners including insights from city and county economic development on business resources and tools available to local entrepreneurs. Dr. Suzanne Salichs, Ph.D., Executive Director for Centro Hispano, was pivotal in the program’s creation and design. She says of the course, “Centro Hispano’s Mentoría Visión Empresarial was an amazing collaboration. It was exciting to see the business owners engaging, learning, and networking. We appreciate the support and are excited to see the program grow and serve more of our local business owners.” Centro Hispano de Frederick hopes to build on this cohort’s momentum and continue the mission expanding access to entrepreneurship education and support across the community.

The City of Frederick supports programs like Visión Empresarial that strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Andie Feldman, Economic Development Specialist (Bilingual) says, "This program demonstrates how intentional investments in language accessibility can drive economic development. Recently the Department has added bilingual capacity to their team to expand our outreach, provide more meaningful support to Latino entrepreneurs, and help more businesses access the tools and mentorship they need to thrive. When more businesses succeed, our entire community benefits through job creation, local investment, and a stronger, and diverse economy."

To learn more about Visión Empresarial and other initiatives that help entrepreneurs grow and succeed, visit the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development’s website.

IEDC Conference in Detroit: A Celebration of Collaboration, Innovation, and Impact

The synergy in Detroit was inspiring as economic developers from across the nation gathered for the 2025 International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Annual Conference. With over 4,500 members, IEDC is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic prosperity and quality of life in communities large and small. This year’s conference was a powerful reminder of the transformative work happening across the country—and Frederick is part of that narrative.

A Golden Moment for Frederick

One of the most exciting highlights from the conference was the City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development receiving a prestigious Gold Award for its collaboration with Frederick Community College and the Frederick County Office of Agriculture. The award recognized the innovative Food Business Entrepreneurship Program, a free initiative that equips aspiring food entrepreneurs with hands-on training in culinary arts, business management, and marketing. Earning top recognition in the Secondary Institution Partnership category, this program combines academic training, industry expertise, and community resources, equipping aspiring food entrepreneurs with the tools to launch and grow successful food businesses—strengthening both Frederick’s food economy and its culture of entrepreneurship.

Hosted at FCC’s Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute (HCTI), the program culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition, where participants present their business ideas for funding and mentorship. Thanks to the training received at FCC and the support from City and County teams, several graduates have already launched successful ventures in Frederick—proof that strategic partnerships can spark real economic growth in our community.

2025 IEDC Gold Award Recipients

Economic Development Takeaways from Detroit

Throughout the conference, Detroit itself served as a living case study in urban renewal. Once teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation fueled by over $2 billion in public-private investment. From revitalized neighborhoods to a reimagined waterfront along the Detroit River, the city’s renaissance is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and long-term commitment.

Conference attendees explored themes that are shaping the future of economic development, including:

• Placemaking & Infrastructure Investment

• Entrepreneurship & Small Business Ecosystems

• Communications & Storytelling for Impact

• Talent & Workforce Transformation

• Innovation & Industry Evolution

• Capital Access for Communities

Additionally, attendees learned about a new tool for measuring impact that will be launched this month.  One of the biggest challenges in economic development is proving impact to stakeholders. To fill this gap, IEDC will be launching the State of the Field Survey Dashboard, a new member-exclusive tool to help organizations better understand and communicate results—an essential step in creating impactful programs, securing support and scaling success.

Maryland in the Mix

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) had a strong presence at the conference too, with Frederick represented by both City and County teams. It was energizing to connect with peers, share best practices, and bring home fresh ideas to fuel our local efforts.

MEDA Members at the IEDC Conference in Detroit.

As we look ahead to IEDC’s 100th anniversary celebration in New Orleans next year, the momentum is undeniable. Frederick’s commitment to inclusive growth, entrepreneurial support, and regional collaboration continues to set a high bar—and we’re just getting started.

Whether it’s celebrating award-winning partnerships or learning from Detroit’s bold reinvention, the IEDC Annual Conference reminded us that economic development is more than policy—it’s a “team sport” about people, purpose, and possibility. Frederick is proud to be part of a dynamic community, and we’re excited for what’s next for our businesses. 

To learn more about taking advantage of economic development resources in Frederick, reach out to schedule a meeting with our team today: Schedule Meeting.