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.

Better Know A Business: Exotic Lumber

95% of business in Frederick, Maryland are small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. 

The diversity and variety of businesses speak to the strong spirit of entrepreneurship in this community. Staff from the City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development recently visited one of these small businesses, Exotic Lumber. 

Get to know Exotic Lumber better by reading a Q & A with owner, Neil Gager.

Better Know a Business: Exotic Lumber

When did you open in Frederick?

Exotic Lumber relocated to Frederick in October last year (2013). I opened my business when we arrived here from South Africa in January of 2002. 

Why did you choose Frederick for your business location?

We were renting a warehouse in the Airpark in Gaithersburg since we opened, and last year, we purchased our current warehouse. Living in New Market the last seven or so years, we have gotten to know Frederick well, and really enjoy what the city offers.

Who are your clients and what do they make with your products?

Our clients range from commercial businesses, like small and medium cabinet makers, furniture makers, remodelers, contractors, deck builders, mill work shops, flooring companies, luthiers, boat builders, as well as wood turners and all kinds of hobbyist woodworkers.  We also supply wood for historic renovation jobs.

What makes your business unique/different?

What makes us unique is our range of domestic and imported woods (over 120 species) and the fact that our customers can hand select their own lumber and, for a fee, have it planed and cut on-site for them. We also keep unusual things like burls and live-edged wood slabs.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your business?

We have a showroom and customers are welcome to come in and look at what the different species are like once they have been sanded and finished.  

We also sell certain species of paper–backed veneers and edge banding, as well as veneer core plywood, as well as wood for outdoor uses – (furniture - teak, Spanish cedar, mahogany, western red cedar), decks (Ipe wood decking from Brazil), and Western Red cedar for raised garden beds. 

Additional Information

Exotic Lumber Inc
329 E. 2nd Street
Frederick, MD  21701
301-695-1271
www.exoticlumberinc.com 

Hours 

4 Events to Help You Grow Your Business

1. FITCI Lunch and Learn - QuickBooks Set Up and Basic User Introduction

2. July 16, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM @ FITCIMore Details

3. Frederick County Chamber Monthly Business Card Exchange

4. July 16, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM @ Mental Health Association of Frederick CountyMore Details

5. SCORE Frederick - Business Plans for the Real World

6. July 29, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM @ Bernard Brown Community CenterMore Details

7. FITCI Summer Networking on the Patio

8. July 29, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM @ FITCIMore Details

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. 

5 Benefits of Doing Bioscience Business in Frederick, MD

Dr. J.J. Lin of Imagilin Technology, LLC got his start at Frederick's biotech incubator, FITCI.

Located less than an hour from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Frederick is the second largest city in Maryland. It has much to offer growing, expanding businesses in bioscience.

Each year, the City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development (DED) attends the world’s largest biotechnology gathering, the BIO International Convention. Here, they network with high-level executives and influential decision makers who come to BIO to discover new players in the industry, form partnerships, and evaluate emerging technologies.

At BIO, and at home, DED represents Frederick's role within Maryland's largest bioscience cluster, and lets businesses know why Frederick is ideal for this industry.  There are many reasons these companies are attracted to our area. Below are some of the top reasons the biosciences thrive in Frederick, Maryland. 

5 Reasons the Biosciences Thrive in Frederick, Maryland

Frederick City and County economic development professionals at BIO 2014. 

1. Location-Frederick is the northern anchor of the I-270 Technology Corridor 

in Maryland, which is the third largest bioscience cluster in the U.S. It is home to Fort Detrick, the Frederick National Laboratory, 3,400+ businesses, and over 80 bioscience companies. Frederick also offers close proximity to federal regulatory agencies. 

2. Opportunity & Collaboration-Businesses enjoy strong biotechnology transfer opportunities from the federal labs at Fort Detrick and the National Cancer Institute; a local biotech incubator (FITCI); available state-of-the-art labs & offices, and local networking opportunities with partners.  

3. Educated Workforce-Ranked the 2nd Smartest City by Forbes.com, 36% of the workforce holds a bachelor's degree or higher.

4. Transportation-Major highways and mass transit connect Frederick with Washington, D.C., the I-95 corridor, and the Port of Baltimore. 

5. Quality of Life-Historic Downtown Frederick ranked #6 in Livability.com’s “Top 10 Best Downtowns 2014” list. 

Want to learn more?

Contact us and we can assist you with more information, site selection assistance, and information about the biosciences in our area.  

7 Ways to Participate in the Buy Local Challenge

Mayor Randy McClement at the Everedy Square and Shab Row Market. 

The annual Buy Local Challenge encourages City residents to make a personal commitment to eat local during Buy Local Week, July 19th - July 27th, 2014. 

This year, Mayor Randy McClement is encouraging all citizens to take the challenge.  

In addition, Mayor McClement challenges the Frederick community to try one new local product weekly during the growing season. 

Mayor McClement said, “We are very fortunate to have several wonderful Farmers’ Markets conveniently located within the City limits. Seeing the crowds that gather at the markets attest to the fact that people want to eat healthy and feel good about supporting our local economy. Buying local, eating fresh is a win for everyone.”  

Residents can easily step up to the challenge any time of the year, not just during 

Buy Local Week. 

7 Ways to Participate in the Buy Local Challenge in Frederick

Seasonal pick-your-own options at Glade Link Farms.

1. Shop at one of the 8 Farmers Markets located in the City of Frederick or at a county market.

2. Sip and sample at a local winery or farmhouse brewery.

3.  Visit a farm or orchard's farm market on site and take home some locally produced treats. Hours vary, so verify hours in advance.

4.  Visit one of Frederick County's two creameries, Rocky Point Creamery and South Mountain Creamery, for a farm-fresh treat.

5.  Dine at one of Frederick's many restaurants that source their products locally, or make plans to dine at one of the area restaurants participating in Farm-to-Fork Frederick.

6.  Pick-Your-Own - Take a trip to a local farm such as Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Glade Link Farms, or Pryor's Orchard to pick your own farm-fresh products. 

7.  Enter the Buy Local Photo Challenge to "Take the Challenge to the EXTREME." Snap and enter a creative photo showing how you participated in the challenge.  

Inspiring Offices: Mosiac Power

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires.  From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs. 

Inspiring Offices is a new feature that will highlight some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Find Your Own Inspiring Office

If you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  

Contact us , and let us help you find your own Inspiring Office space so you can build your dream.  

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this Inspiring Office in Frederick.

Mosiac Power

Mosaic Power calls this former industrial building home.

This week's Inspiring Office feature is Mosaic Power. 

With rooftop decks overlooking Frederick’s hottest outdoor happy hour, Alive@5, Mosaic Power’s office space offers staff flexible space, outdoor retreats, and an industrial vibe. CEO Laurie Vaudreuil wanted the space to feel comfortable, like home.  

And it does.

A shared kitchen, couches, and even a hammock allow staff to take a break without leaving the office.

"There are lots of historic buildings that can be re-purposed into quirky office space if you think outside the cubicle," says Vaudreuil.

Vaudreuil did not want to give up the hours a day required for commuting, so she made it a priority to keep her business in Frederick.  

"Frederick also offers a very intelligent hiring pool and is well connected to services in both DC and Baltimore," she added. 

"Frederick is a great lifestyle town," explains Vaudreuil.  "There are plenty of opportunities to be part of the community socially, the dining downtown is walkable and fabulously diverse, and the creek and parks offer plenty of opportunity for exercise and mental health breaks."

Below are some of Mosaic Power's Inspiring Office features:

Unique architecture and design offers colorful office spaces throughout the building.

View from their office's patio overlooks Carroll Creek and serves as a perfect vantage point for Alive@5. 

"We have spaces that encourage people to move around to suit their work needs and who they need to work with."

-Laurie Vaudreuil, CEO

Exposed brick and light office spaces abound in this building.

This hammock is ready for staff to help staff relax.

A kitchen in the building provides convenience for employees and a place to informally gather and share ideas.

A colorful conference room offers inspiration and plays on the mosaic motif.

This open work space offers staff the opportunity to collaborate on projects.

M is for Mosaic! Painted brick and personal touches make the space feel welcoming.

Recharge with fresh air and a creek-side view.  

This Week on Carroll Creek - June 27, 2014

June 27, 2014

- Construction has started for the next phase of Carroll Creek Park, but it may not be where you expect. The project scope includes more areas than east of the Delaplaine Arts Center. Widened multi-use paths and landscaping is planned between Bentz and S. Market Streets. This week, you can see construction work in this area.  Demolition of brick piers and paved walkways are making way for enhanced paths and other improvements in this section of Carroll Creek Park. Stay tuned for more updates! 

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.

Looking for more information? This press release also provides a nice summary. 

Spotted: Easels At City Hall

An Easels in Frederick artist paints City Hall on June 18, 2014.

In Frederick, the arts thrive and contribute to the quality of life residents and visitors enjoy. Public art, concerts, galleries, studios, theaters, and special events help make Frederick a regional hub for arts and entertainment. 

Easels in Frederick , the Frederick Festival of the Arts, and June's art-focused First Saturday are three special events that take place each year in June.

The arts are a draw for tourists, and cities across the nation are competing for businesses and the best and brightest employees.

Studies indicate that cities with arts and culture are better able to attract businesses and employees. As creativity flourishes in a community, so does innovation. 

Frederick Air Inc. Named Dealer of the Year

Out of over 4,000 of Bryant dealers, Frederick Air Inc. outperformed the rest, and was honored to be named the 2014 Dealer of the Year. This places Frederick Air Inc., the City of Frederick, and the State of Maryland, in the National spotlight. 

President Steve Schmidt said one of the keys to success is his customer service. If there is a waiting list for installation, Schmidt makes sure they have a solution. He arranges for temporary air conditioning so customers can keep their cool. 

The Department of Economic Development and the City of Frederick thanks Frederick Air for their ongoing investment and contributions to the Frederick businesses Community.

Visit the

Frederick Air website

to learn more. 

Carroll Creek Park Update - June 18, 2014

Work on the next phase of Carroll Creek Park has started. During this early part of the project, visitors to the park may see fencing being installed and construction trailers moving into place. Preliminary site work is also being completed during this time. 

This photo shows fencing installed alongside the bank of the creek between Bentz and S. Market Streets.

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.

Looking for more information? This press release also provides a nice summary.  

Why Frederick is a Great Place to Live!

Commercial for Frederick, Maryland

Daniel Ray 4th Grader at Orchard Grove Elementary

Are you thinking about moving? Well I know the perfect place, Frederick Maryland. Do you want to live in a placed filled with history, education, entertainment, and plain outdoor fun? Well then don’t change the channel. In these few minutes I will change your idea on moving anywhere else.

One of Frederick’s historical treasures is Monocacy Battlefield. It is the perfect place for outdoor fun with tons of walking trails and fields for picnics. You can also visit the Monocacy Battlefield Museum. There is also the Weinberg Center build in 1926 which is known as the “Jewel of Frederick”. It has plays and musicals straight from Broadway.  In 1926, it was the 2nd biggest structure in Frederick also known as the Tivoli.

Are you hoping to get an education from an outstanding college? Well, Frederick has Hood College. Hood College was ranked the 37th best college in America by US News. Hood College has a local campus style and is a private institution. My favorite thing is the brand new gym, pool and fields. Do you like baseball? If so, Frederick has the Key’s Stadium. You can watch future Oriole’s prospects play ball and watch fireworks on Friday and Saturday games.

If parks, sports, and outdoor fun is something you enjoy got to Ballenger Creek Park. It’s has fields for soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball and horseshoes. It has picnic tables perfect for parties.

I hope I’ve made my point and your next place to live is Frederick, Maryland!

New Street Lights for Patrick Street

The view downtown along Patrick Street is getting brighter thanks to the efforts of the City’s Department of Public Works and partnership efforts between Downtown Frederick Partnership and the City’s Department of Economic Development (DED).

Twenty-seven new light poles and lights have recently been installed using shorter 14 foot poles replacing previous poles that stood 25 feet tall. The lower lights give better illumination to the sidewalks and help with a more inviting atmosphere for shoppers. 

“The City has consistently invested in infrastructure throughout the community which helps create an opportunity for business to thrive and these lights are no exception.” shares Mayor Randy McClement.

Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City stated, “By partnering with the Downtown Frederick Partnership and the State Department of Housing and Community Development, the City is able to leverage its investment and talent at DPW to deliver projects such as this one.”

A Community Legacy grant provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development provided 50% of the funding for the cost of the lights. The grant was applied for and administered by joint efforts of Downtown Frederick Partnership and DED. The City covered the other half of the cost for the lights and to install electrical outlets to the poles allowing for holiday lights.

DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit

www.businessinfrederick.com

or call at 301-600-6360.