Frederick County Public High School's in Nation's Top 7%

All Frederick County public high schools made The Washington Post 2011 Challenge Index, except Oakdale, which was not yet open to seniors.

 

The Washington Post ranked 27,000 high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced placement college-level courses and tests. Just under 1,900 schools—only seven percent of all the public schools in the U.S.—made the list for 2011.

 

The annual Challenge Index divides the number of challenging exams each high school’s seniors take by the number of graduating seniors. Among the nation’s top-ranked 1,890 schools, Frederick County high schools ranked as follows: Urbana High 397, Middletown 648, Catoctin 1,166, Frederick 1,182, Linganore 1,271, Walkersville 1,329, Gov. Thomas Johnson 1,491, Brunswick 1,591 and Tuscarora 1,598.

 

“This achievement continues to be one more measure providing solid evidence of first-class public education in Frederick County. I appreciate everyone’s hard work—employees, students and families,” said FCPS Superintendent Dr. Linda Burgee.

 

 

Project Spotlight - Downtown Hotel & Conference Center

Frederick needs a downtown hotel and conference center. So say the largest employers in the community along with the city, county, chamber, tourism council, and downtown partnership - forming a joint team to make it happen. Frederick has some terrific hotels, but is underserved in terms of a downtown up-scale flagship facility which can host business and family functions locally. Fredericktonians are often forced to look to other communities to host larger conferences and events.

The hotel team – a public-private partnership – has funded a feasibility study which strengthens the case for such a facility. It confirmed that Frederick has sufficient demand for a 200 room, full-service hotel with guest amenities including a large ball-room and break-out meeting space which can handle events of 600 or more people. The study also confirmed that Downtown Frederick was the right location, providing a combination of unique amenities not found together in one place elsewhere in the community.

Downtown Frederick, the largest contiguous historic district in Maryland, is centrally located in the county and is easily accessible from the highways. It is home to more than 600 businesses, 5,000 employees, and several thousand residents. For a number of years it has been recovering from devastating losses due to flood, business flight, and neglect. The result is an walkable, award-winning downtown which has over 200 restaurants and retail businesses, is served by public transportation, has stunning architecture, and is the hub of commerce, government, churches, tourism, arts, entertainment, and museums.

Despite its successes, the Downtown economy is fragile and adding a hotel conference center will help cement its recovery. Other communities like Lancaster, PA, Greenville, SC, Charlottesville, VA, and Asheville, NC have effectively used hotel conference facilities to anchor their downtowns. It is a time-proven strategy to use a demand generator like a hotel to provide a critical need for the community while strengthen revitalization efforts as well.

Building a downtown hotel and conference center is challenging business. Due to the high cost and inherent risk such facilities are rarely undertaken by hotel developers alone. Most such facilities are accomplished through a public-private partnership. Limited public sector participation can reduce the risk enough to encourage private sector investment. It is our hope that together with the business and developer communities, Frederick can assemble the resources needed to bring this project to fruition by our 2014 goal.

Frederick Mayor Randy McClement has made this a central project his administration to move forward and has appointed long-time Frederick businessman Earl Robbins, Jr. to spearhead the project. A former school board, chamber, and united way chairman, Mr. Robbins is no stranger to large complex projects and knows his way around the community and Annapolis. He has been quoted as saying that he has agreed to head this critical project because he believes it will improve quality of life and strengthen the business community. Frederick needs and deserves a place downtown to host our over-night visitors, induce new events and conferences, and support our local businesses.

Economic Development Busy with Three Upcoming Events

The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development is hosting or co-sponsoring several upcoming FREE informative events.

May 18th - 2011 Frederick Procurement Fair
9:00am - 12:00noon
Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center
40 South Carroll Street, Frederick
Parking available at the All Saints Street Parking Deck

If you are a local small business and looking for procurement opportunities with some of Frederick's largest employers, this is the event for you. This is a FREE event, please check out the DED Calendar of Events for registration. For questions, call 301-600-6360.

May 24th - Energy Forum
7:00pm - 9:00pm
City Hall Board Room
101 N. Court Street, Frederick
Street parking available as well as the Church Street and Court Street Parking Decks

You have a choice on who provides your electricity. Come hear from several local providers who will explain their programs and how to sign up. This is a FREE event, but registration is required. For questions, call 301-600-6360.

June 14th - Kevin Mulvaney - "Business at a Crossroads: Grow or Go?"
8:00am - 10:00am (BREAKFAST INCLUDED)
Dutch's Daughter
581 Himes Avenue, Frederick

Bsed on recent findings of Professor Mulvaney's surveys, businesses are indeed at a crossroads: What will it take to grow to the next level? What are the various exit options available? THis is a FREE event, but registration is required. For questions, call 301-600-1058.

Spotlight on Industry: Advanced Technology

The technology industry is broad-based and includes sectors such as aerospace, energy, information security, nanotechnology, robotics, software, telecommunications and electrical engineering. Advanced technology - or high tech businesses - hold tremendous growth potential as they take discoveries and commercialize them - turning R&D into marketable products and services.

We've already looked at biotechnology in Frederick, so here we will focus on the non-bio components of the advanced technology industry. Six percent of private sector occupations in the Frederick area include direct employment in computer and mathematical science, engineering and related technicians. Factor in the jobs in computer science, engineering and robotics at Fort Detrick and NCI-Frederick's nanotechnology labs and one can begin to see the significant employment impact of the advanced technology sector in our community.

This 6% does not take into account the manufacturing jobs associated with much of the advanced technology research and development that is a major component of this industry sector. Fairchild Controls is one example of an aerospace technology company that employs not only the technical research and development positions, but also the support positions in production, sales and management that comprises their workforce of 166 people.

Bechtel is one of the largest employers within this industry sector, with expertise in a wide array of sectors within the technology industry. With 2,200 Frederick-based employees, Bechtel is also one of the largest private-sector employers in Frederick County. Bechtel employees are engaged in civil and nuclear engineering, communications, energy and more.

Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI) - a technology incubator in Frederick - fosters innovation not only in bioscience, but in advanced technologies as well. Two recent FITCI graduates are great examples of the innovative advanced technologies under development in Frederick. Widearea Systems is a convergence technology company that develops and markets secure unified communications software and hardware solutions for corporate enterprise and government agencies. WGS Systems provides products and services to the US intelligence, military and homeland security organizations, specializing in engineering and scientific support, systems engineering and development. They are a premier developer of integrated surveillance and reconnaissance systems. And another FITCI client - Kinetic Revolutions - is applying a range of technologies to the development of orthotic and prosthetic devices.

In this 21st century knowledge-based economy, the advanced technology industry sector plays an increasingly important role in our economy and Frederick is well positioned for continued growth in this sector through innovation and entrepreneurship.

City of Frederick Department of Economic Development Holds Energy Forum

You have a choice, an Electric Choice! Are you aware that as a resident or business owner in the state of Maryland that you have the power to choose the company that supplies your electricity? The City of Frederick invites you to join us on May 24, 2011 at 7 pm at City Hall to learn all about electric choice from Paula Carmody, Maryland People’s Counsel, and a panel composed of electric suppliers, moderated by Jim Pierobon of the Maryland Clean Energy Center.

Once you’ve locked in your rates, reduce your utility bill for the long-term by joining the Frederick County Green Homes Challenge. Hilari Varnadore of the County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources will invite City households to take Challenge 1: Be a Power Saver! Power Saver households save energy and reduce utility bills; the program encourages households to take easy steps such as having a home energy audit, making an energy saving action plan, and implementing home energy projects. Free Power Saver Handbooks will be available for all residents that register in the program.  
You’re energy bill is one expense you CAN control. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear directly from suppliers about the programs and rates they can offer as well as take advantage of free programs and resources available for Frederick City households.

This is a FREE event however seating is limited. Please register or call 301-600-6360.

For additional information or if you have questions about the Electric Choice Energy Forum, please contact Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, at 301-600-6361 or by email at rgriffin@cityoffrederick.com

Farmers Insurance Says Frederick is A Secure Place to Live

Frederick is among the top 10 most secure places in the US, according to a recent ranking by Farmers Insurance. This study ranks the "Most Secure Places to Live in the US," and the Bethesda-Gaithersburg-Frederick metropolitan area ranked 9th among large metropolitan areas (populations of 500,000+). The rankings took into account crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, housing depreciation, foreclosures, air quality, terrorist threats, environmental hazards, life expectancy and job loss numbers.

"The City of Frederick has a number of advantages in rankings such as this. Whether it's economic security - in our diverse industry base and strong job opportunities; security for our families - through low crime rates or safety in our environment - with a high-quality water supply and abundant open space and public parks, the City of Frederick is undeniably a great place to live and do business", said City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement.

Frederick Police Chief Kim Dine shares, "Protection of the public is perhaps the core responsibility of government as safety is a basic human need. The Frederick Police Department is exceptionally proud that our strategic, cohesive and effective policing efforts played a key role resulting in Frederick being included in this national ranking. Reduced crime and a robust and diverse business community help illustrate the strong correlation between safe neighborhoods and economic stability. These symbiotic factors in fact lead to lower crime rates and a higher quality of life. The Frederick Police Department takes great pride in this national listing - a high quality of life is a success for all who live, work and play in Frederick."

To view the full rankings, click here.

For current data on crime in the City of Frederick, visit the SpiresGIS Crime Map.

Beautiful Frederick - A Strong Town and a Great Neighborhood

The City of Frederick was given kudos and praise in a recent blog from "Strong Towns", an advocate for models of smart growth. From our streetscape and architecture to Carroll Creek Park and Public Art, the blogger now claims Frederick as one of his favorite US cities!

Frederick also gained recognition when it was named one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2010 by the American Planning Association. APA Great Places are enjoyable, safe and desirable - places that attract users every day. America's truly great neighborhoods are defined by many characteristics including architectural features, accessibility, functionality and community development.

A Strong Town growth model emphasizes obtaining a higher return on existing infrastructure investments. The belief is that you can no longer disregard old investments in favor of new, but instead need to focus on making better use of that which we already committed to publicly maintain.

Spotlight on Industry - Biotechnology

In our last blog, we covered the Frederick economy in a very general sense - including job growth and important industry sectors. Beginning this week, we will take a closer look at each of those important industry sectors.

We begin with bioscience. Over the last 10 years, bioscience and life science have become economic development buzz words. And why not - everyone wants their community or region to be innovative and high-tech, moving toward that knowledge-based economy (another buzz word) of the future.

In Frederick, bio is not simply a buzz word - it's a growing cornerstone of our economy. Maryland is home to the 2nd largest biosciences cluster in the country and within the state, Frederick ranks #2 in total biotech companies.

Since 2002, Frederick's bioscience industry has more than doubled -from 30 companies to more than 70 companies. As we saw in last week's look at job growth, the Professional, Scientific and Technical industry sector has led the way for job creation in the Frederick region - growing 60% from 2003-2007, and in 2010 this industry sector grew 4% or 278 net new jobs. Impressive when many other industries were flat or declined.

Frederick's bioscience industry has its first roots from Fort Detrick. Companies moved to Frederick as a result of contracts with the federal government - Dynport Vaccine Company, Charles River Labs, SAIC-Frederick, Southern Research Institute, Midwest Research Institute, Battelle and others.

Frederick also has a strong private-sector bioscience base. MedImmune, Life Technologies, Qiagen and Lonza are all global life science companies with a strong and growing presence in the City of Frederick and surrounding area.

Entrepreneurship is also an important component of Frederick's bioscience industry. Small, innovative start-up companies with their own technologies, or technologies that have been developed in federal labs and are being commercialized through technology transfer agreements, have proven incredibly effective at advancing research, developing products and creating new jobs here in Frederick.

Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI) - a technology incubator in Frederick - is an important element of entrepreneurship and job creation. FITCI, through partnerships with the City of Frederick, Frederick County and the State of Maryland and many corporate sponsors, offers affordable office and lab space, business mentoring and other programs to bioscience and advanced technology companies, to help budding entrepreneurs build successful businesses.

We continue to see great opportunity in the life sciences industry for Frederick. NCI/SAIC-Frederick is building a 330,000 SF advanced technologies research facility at Riverside Research Park. Planned for completion in late 2012, this initiative will facilitate public-private research partnerships with the intent of expediting the drug development process for cancer and HIV research and accelerating the timeline from discovery to patient bedside. Coupled with the entrepreneurship at FITCI and technology transfer opportunities at Fort Detrick, the life sciences industry is certainly a growth sector for the City of Frederick.

2011 Frederick Procurement Fair

Exhibitor registration is now open for the 2011 Frederick Procurement Fair on Wednesday May 18th from 9:00am - Noon at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Downtown Frederick.

Hosted by the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development and Frederick County Office of Economic Development, the 2011 Frederick Procurement Fair presents a unique opportunity for exhibitors - the purchasing and procurement departments of local government agencies and major employers in Frederick County - to connect with local small businesses regarding upcoming purchasing and procurement opportunities. If your company or agency is looking for a way to connect with potential vendors, suppliers and contractors, this is an event not to be missed!

Last year, over 120 businesses attended to learn about purchasing and procurement opportunities with 17 of the Frederick area's largest companies and government agencies. Exhibitors for 2011 already include The City of Frederick, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College and SAIC-Frederick.

To reserve your spot, call 301-600-6362 or email.  Exhibitor registration closes March 31st. Attendee registration opens April 1st.

For more information, visit businessinfrederick.com   

Spotlight on Frederick's Economy

Frederick's diverse industry base is one of our community's great strengths. This diversity softens the local impact of economic downturns and shortens economic recovery time.

Here are a few facts about Frederick's economic - where we were, where we are today and where we see opportunities for the future.

From 2003 to 2007, the Frederick region experienced a 21% increase in jobs. Compare that to 10% statewide and 9% national growth over the same period - pretty impressive numbers! Topping the job growth sectors:
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services - 60% increase
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation - 57% increase
Accommodations & Food Services - 32% increase
Finance & Insurance - 29% increase

Industry sectors that lost jobs durintg that time include manufacturing (down 15%) utilities (down 10%), agriculture/forestry/fishing/hunting (down 5%) and information (down 2%).

For the past 3 years (2008 through 2010) job growth in the Frederick area has been relatively flat. This is when that diverse industry base comes into play - modest losses in some sectors which were off-set by modest gains in others. The theme we heard continuously these past few years - "Flat is the new up."

Turning our attention to 2011, we hope to say good-bye to 'flat'. At the City's Department of Economic Development (DED), we see tremendous opportunities in our target industries - biosciences, advanced technologies, manufacturing, professional services and tourism.

We are excited about the NCI-Frederick facility at Riverside Research Park, not only for the jobs and economic opportunity, but for the incredible promise this facility holds in the battle agains cancer and HIV. NCI-Frederick is one component of a vibrant and innovative bioscience community in Frederick that is now more than 70 companies strong.

We are encouraged by our innovative manufacturing base - companies such as EDCO and Stulz ATS, who have taken steps to remain competitive through implementation of LEAN manufacturing processes and R&D to development new product lines.

Last, but certainly not least, is the continuing economic impact of Fort Detrick and the 38 mission partners located on the post. Fort Detrick is as diverse as the community that surrounds it. Cancer and HIV research, cutting-edge healthcare innovations, state of the art forensic analysis labs, military medical logistics and acquisition, global communications - Fort Detrick's mission partners are on the forefront of research and innovation. Through employment, federal contracts technology transfer and partnerships with K-12 education, Fort Detrick makes a lasting and positive impact on Frederick's economy and our quality of life.

In the weeks ahead, the DED blog will examine each of our target industry sectors. Next week, look for Spotlight on Industry - Frederick Bioscience.

Tech Council of Maryland 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards

Do you work for or know of a Tech or BioTech company in Frederick County that has made an impact in the community? Done something innovative in the last year? How about a a really awesome boss? Then get moving and nominate that company for the Tech Council's 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards. Its easy and best of all, FREE! Categories this year include Executive of the Year, Firm of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Service Provider of the Year and CFO of the Year.

Each year TCM honors those companies that have made a difference in Frederick County. Don't miss this great opportunity to showcase your company and be recognized for your achievements. Nominations MUST be received by COB February 23, 2011. To nominate, please click on the following link: 2011 Frederick County Nomination Form or contact Todd Hayes at thayes@techcouncilmd.com or 240-243-4049.

Award winners will be honored at the 9th Annual Frederick County Tech Awards Celebration on March 29th, 2011 at Holly Hills Country Club, Ijamsville, MD 21754 from 6-8pm.

Don't wait, nominate and join TCM, Frederick County Leaders and the best of the best of the IT and Biotechnology communities at the 9th annual Frederick County Tech Awards. Click here to register.

Thank you to the sponsors: Platinum - Comcast
                                         Host - Frederick County Office of Economic Development
                                         Gold - MedImmune
                                         Media - 270inc Business Magazine
                                         Bronze - City of Frederick Department of Economic Development

New Frederick Street Map Now Available

An attractive new Frederick street map is now available to residents and visitors at City Hall and will soon be available at C Burr Artz Library, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Council, Downtown Frederick Partnership and other business locations throughout the City. The map, produced by the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development in conjunction with Target Marketing, provides easy to reference information about City, County and Downtown streets and destinations.

"The response to business advertising on this new map was outstanding", said Richard Grififn, Director of Economic Development. "We are delighted to provide travelers a means of accessing our community as well as a vehicle for Frederick businesses to advertise." The cost of producing the maps was underwritten by business marketing and advertising. Business card style 'ads' are arranged categorically on both sides of the map to highlight local businesses. In addition to promoting the regional amenitites, a directory of important phone numbers and community information is provided.

An easy to navigate, searchable online version of the map will be available from the City website beginning in March. Each participating business will be listed by name & business category, with the actual location pinpointed on the online map; each business's home page will be linked to the map's home page, multiplying business exposure potential many times.

Cotton Smith with Target Marketing, which produces similar maps across the country stated, " Working with the Frederick business community and the city to produce this map was a terrific experience - together we have provided a usable map product for the community which also provides unique exposure for advertising businesses."

For questions about how to obtain a copy of the map, access to the on-line version, or advertising on future maps, please contact Donna Goff, Economic Development Specialist with the City of Frederick Department of Eocnomic Development at 301-600-6360 or dgoff@cityoffrederick.com.

Training for Frederick County Business Owners

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office will be sponsoring an informational session for Frederick County business owners and their human resource staff to assist them in complying with current federal employment laws. A representative from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be in attendance to provide a plain-language explanation in the proper preparation of the I-9 Form, its acceptable documents and other relevant information. Also discussed will be the ICE Mutual Agreement between Government and Employers program, IMAGE, which is a voluntary program of best business practices that help to ensure a legal workforce. There will be a short question and answer session following the briefing.

The session will be held on Thursday, February 24th from 6-8pm in the main conference room of the Frederick County Law Enforcement Center, located at 110 Airport Drive East, Frederick. Due to limited seating, the Sheriffs Office is asking businesses to RSVP with the number attending to Capt. Tim Clarke at 301-600-3643 by Monday, February 21st. If the class fills and there is a need for additional sessions, the Sheriff's Office will compile a list of those businesses to be contacted for the next available session.

Frederick Keynotes Speaker Series featuring Steve Denning - RESCHEDULED to February 10

Due to inclement weather, tonight's Frederick Keynotes event (Thursday January 27th), featuring award-winning author and leadership speaker Steve Denning, has been rescheduled for Thursday February 10th, 7:00-9:00pm at the Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Frederick.

Existing registration will be honored for the new date. If you have not yet registered, but would like to attend the event, visit the online calendar at http://www.businessinfrederick.com/ to register.

For more information, contact the City of Frederick's Department of Eocnomic Development at 301-600-6360.

Frederick Keynotes Speaker Series Hosts Leadership Guru Steve Denning

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the Frederick Arts Council and 270inc Magazine, is hosting the next Frederick Keynotes business speaker event on Thursday, January 27th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm at the Cultural Arts Center in Downtown Frederick, 15 West Patrick Street. The event features award-winning author and leadership speaker Steve Denning. The focus of his presentation will be "Reinventing the Workplace in the 21st Century" based on his newly published book, "The Leader's Guide to Radical Management: Reinventing the Workplace in the 21st Century."

Admission is $10 and can be purchased in advance at www.businessinfrederick.com/calendar_of_events/ or by calling 301-600-6360. The admission fee supports The City of Frederick Economic Development Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Following the presentation, there will be a book signing and Denning's latest publication will be available for purchase.

"Steve Denning is the Warren Buffet of business communication," stated Chip Heath, author of Made to Stick.  "He sees things others don't and is able to explain them so the rest of us can understand."

We are pleased to be able to offer top-notch speakers like Steve Denning in Frederick's community and business leaders," states Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development. "Our goal is simply to expend the know how and capacity of Frederick business to compete and succeed."

Frederick Keynotes is the region's premiere business speaker series and is a program of The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development in partnership with 270inc Magazine.
For more information, contact 301-600-6360.