International Documentaries Showcase Frederick's Entrepreneurial Spirit

Sam Delgado, 21, Founder and Creative Director of The Surge Agency, discusses their creative work for the media team from Niger. The team was in Frederick filming a documentary on business development for youth and young entrepreneurs on March 8-10, 2015.

Across the globe, developing countries are working towards building an entrepreneurial business climate, and some are looking to Frederick as an example. The City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development works collaboratively with the State Department to host media teams from developing countries to film documentaries on topics such as entrepreneurism, business development, and government support for start-up businesses.

To date, Frederick has worked with teams from Iraq, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Romania, and most recently, Niger. 

"Frederick is an ideal location for this type of documentary," says Richard Griffin, Economic Development Director for the City of Frederick. "We have a growing business community, strong entrepreneurs, and programs in place to assist businesses at all stages of growth."   

The most recent media team from Niger was in Frederick March 8-10, 2015, and focused on business development for youth.  During their visit, they met with organizations that have programs that help youth prepare for business opportunities and interviewed young entrepreneurs in our community.

Frederick businesses on their itinerary for interviews included The Surge Agency, Zach's Auto Clinic, and Cakes to Die For. All three of these business owners have launched their businesses at a young age and are examples of the entrepreneurial spirit that is in the Frederick community.

Sam Delgado of The Surge Agency about to begin his interview.

Youth development programs and entrepreneurial support organizations on their itinerary included My Bank! First United Bank & Trust on small business loans, Frederick County Workforce Services on their youth services and summer jobs program, The City of Frederick Economic Development Department, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Seeds of Life youth development program, and Frederick County Public School's Career and Technology Center and Finance Academy at T.J. High School. 

"The seek to tell the whole story of what it takes to have a healthy business community - from an individual's personal drive to the small business loans needed to launch a company," said Griffin.  

If you are a business located in the City of Frederick and are interested in being featured in future documentaries or other opportunities to discuss your business, please contact the City's Department of Economic Development. 

 Kuwait TV Documentary Film

View the documentary that was filmed in Frederick in 2014 and broadcast on Kuwait TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEo3Z7OC-Sg. 

City of Frederick Day in Annapolis Highlights Priority Projects

Thursday, March 12, 2015 is City of Frederick Day in Annapolis. Each year, the City of Frederick updates legislators and state leaders on select City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway.

Below are the projects that will be highlighted at this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis.

Together We Can Grow Frederick’s Future

Building a Stronger and Safer Maryland

Downtown Hotel and Conference Center / Parking Deck 6

The City of Frederick is partnering with a hotel developer, selected through a competitive RFP process, to construct a privately owned and operated $64M full-service hotel and conference center in Downtown Frederick. The public on-site improvements, including public parking, will cost approximately $20M. This is the top priority of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Major Employers Group, and projected to offer many benefits, including:

• 207 rooms with 24,000 square feet of meeting space
• Public Parking Garages: 750 spaces (100 on-site/650 off-site)
• 280 total jobs
• $1.5M annually in State taxes
• $25.8M in direct, indirect, and induced spending

Weinberg Center for the Arts HVAC Replacement

HB0364/SB0024

The Weinberg Center for the Arts is a 1,100 seat historic performing arts theater that generates 70,000 patrons and $7M in economic impact annually. The facility is in need of a HVAC replacement to continue providing programming throughout the year. After analysis by a HVAC engineering company, full replacement was recommended. The new system will provide:

• Operational and maintenance savings in the future
• Control of separate areas of the theater
• Efficient and environmentally-friendly design
      

Frederick Municipal Airport

Increasing Airport Safety and Capacity

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is the second busiest airport in Maryland and well positioned to become the preferred executive airport in the region. It is seeking funding to support Phase I of a multi-year project to improve airport safety and capacity. 

This phase will include:

• Design and demolition of aviation obstructions along Bailes Lane, etc.
• Washington gas line relocation
• The project will ultimately result in added capacity with corporate hangar space and extend the runway.

Monocacy Boulevard/US15 Interchange Improves Safety and Relieves Congestion

The #1 Infrastructure Priority for Frederick City and County for over 5 years

The Monocacy Boulevard and US15 Interchange will provide a full-diamond interchange, improving safety by eliminating at-grade intersections on US15. Design is complete, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2015.  The project provides:

• Congestion relief from pass through traffic, local development, and Fort Detrick growth
• Hiking and biking tails, sidewalks, on-street bike lanes, lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian accommodations
• Park and Ride with 390 spaces connects to future Rails With Trails
• This improvement complements other road improvements, such as Monocacy Boulevard Center Section Phase II, which will add 14,000 linear feet of a 4-lane roadway, alleviate congestion, create safe routes for emergency access during flood events, and add hiking/biking trails, sidewalks, and trees

Culler Lake Renaissance in Baker Park

Restoring water quality and aesthetic character

Culler Lake, in the heart of Baker Park, was established 90 years ago. Today, the park is in need of restoration to improve water quality and the aesthetic character of the lake. In partnership with Friends of Baker Park, a two-phased plan is in place to address the restoration. The project will:

• Dredge and restore Culler Lake (Phase I)
• Install wetlands and stormwater infrastructure to treat approximately 60 acres of untreated impervious area (Phase I)
• Add new shared use paths and fountains (Phase I)
• Add a pavilion and overlook, additional paths, benches, signage, pedestrian crossing and entrance features, and skate house improvements (Phase II)

  

Cleaner Water Starts Here: Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Phase II Brings Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade

Phase I Upgrades— Complete

Frederick is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and our waterways impact the bay’s health and local sustainability. Phase I upgrades to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) have:

• Improved solids digestion component of the plant
• Enabled the harvesting of methane gas while virtually eliminating reliance on landfill for waste sludge
• Reduced the city’s energy costs through co-generating electricity

Phase II Upgrades—In Progress

Phase II of the project brings an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) upgrade to the system. Already designed, construction is expected to start in March 2015 with completion in December 2016. These upgrades:

• Bring the waste water treatment plant into compliance with recent EPA mandates for ENR
• Will reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges to the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries

Carroll Creek Park Phase II Completion on Target for Fall 2015

A thriving world-class, mixed use urban park in Downtown Frederick

This public-private partnership has spanned six administrations. Carroll Creek Park, as a  flood control project, effectively removed Downtown Frederick from the 100-year

floodplain and restored economic vitality to the historic commercial district.

Today, more than $100 million in private investment is underway or planned in new construction, infill development, or historic renovation along the park. Phase II provides:

• Extended park improvements totaling $15.7M in construction
• 1 mile of new and widened multi-use paths
• Landscape planters, lighting & water features
• Crosswalk improvements
• 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

Experience Authentic International Cuisine Along the Golden Mile

Fajita Grande restaurant on the Golden Mile is a local favorite with colorful decorations and daily specials.

Experience Authentic International Cuisine Along the Golden Mile

By Michelle Kershner, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development

Originally printed in the Winter 2015 Frederick County Guide

Stretching towards the mountains, the Golden Mile is a major retail district in Frederick. Representing a portion of the historic National Road, it naturally connects Downtown Frederick with points westward, such as Braddock Heights and Middletown.

  

Winter 2015 Frederick County Guide

Locals flock to this corridor, also known as Route 40, for retail stores and services. But insiders know that tucked inside the shopping centers, diners can find some of the most delicious and authentic international cuisine in the region.

“Nearly half of all establishments along the Golden Mile are associated with retail trade,” said Economic Development Manager Bobby Baumler.  “Additionally, accommodation and food services represent nearly a third of all employment in this area, a strong indication that people are heading to the Golden Mile to dine.” 

Amid the numerous strip-style shopping centers, standalone specialty stores and authentic international cuisine can be found.  From freshly baked breads and sweets at La Colmenita Bakery to international grocery stores, flavors from across the globe can be found along the Golden Mile. Diners can try Pho TNT’s banh mi, a crusty Vietnamese-style sandwich, Peruvian-style chicken at Sardis Pollo a La Brasa, warm naan bread and butter chicken at Clay Oven, or gyoza and sushi at Roppongi. 

Established in 1987, Casa Rico has been an anchor on the western end of the corridor for decades with gourmet tacos, tequila, and traditional Mexican favorites like chile rellenos. Fajita Grande offers up fresh salsa with their sizzling platters, and Santa Rosa restaurant and Ana's Papuseria serve pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish made of thick, handmade corn tortillas.  On select summer nights, a taco truck parks at Dutrow’s Sales & Service at the end of the Golden Mile, and dishes up favorites like tongue tacos and tamales.

The Golden Mile could very well be dubbed the “International Mile” for the corridor’s concentration of global flavors and offerings. 

La Colmenita Bakery is tucked in a storefront at the Willow Tree Shopping Center and offers freshly baked breads and sweets.

“The authentic international food scene on The Golden Mile is exploding,” said Justin Kiska, president of the Golden Mile Alliance and owner of Way Off Broadway. “These gems are tucked into traditional shopping centers, and new places are opening all the time. We recently welcomed Modern Asia Bar & Restaurant to our dining scene.”

Traditional favorites also have flourished on the Golden Mile over the years. The Barbara Fritchie Restaurant has been serving home-cooked meals since 1910.  This retro diner features comfort foods and freshly baked desserts.  Nearby, Il Forno Pizzeria has served their famed wood-fired pizza for over 18 years. 

For over six decades, Red Horse Steak House has been considered a family dining tradition for their open-flamed grilled steaks and seafood.   Doc Geiser’s Carryout & Catering is home to Watson’s famous fried chicken, and Mountainview Diner is a local favorite as well. 

“There is this perception that the Golden Mile is mainly a big-box destination, but small and family businesses, like these restaurants, also thrive alongside the larger retailers and chains,” explains Baumler.  

In the City of Frederick, 95% of all businesses are small businesses, and the Golden Mile is no exception.   Thanks to business investment, planning, and community involvement, this traditional retail corridor’s future is bright.  The Golden Mile, along with portions of Downtown Frederick, was recently accepted into Maryland’s Sustainable Communities program, which will open up additional resources. The Golden Mile Alliance, a non-profit organization comprised of business owners, property owners, and residents, also is working to strengthen the thoroughfare. 

The Golden Mile Alliance is reviving Pangaea, a festival celebrating heritage and diversity, with the next celebration slated for Oct. 4, 2015.

“We are looking forward to bringing back this cultural event,” Kiska said, with international cuisine featured prominently.  “Food brings communities together, and it will be a great time to celebrate all that Frederick’s Golden Mile has to offer in this area and others."

To learn more about the Golden Mile and business in Frederick, visit www.businessinfrederick.com.

Economic Development Staff Pilots Offsite Office Hours at FITCI and Cowork Frederick

Staff from the City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development began piloting a program in February 2015 to hold office hours at Cowork Frederick and the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc., also known as FITCI. 

"We welcome business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to stop by and visit us," said Economic Development Manager Bobby Baumler. "We are always happy to visit a business at their location, and thought getting out into the community would help make our resources more accessible to more people." Additionally, the department will assist walk-ins.

"We will have information on hand about how to start a business in Frederick, area resources, how to grow your businesses, and just generally be available to answer questions," said Baumler.  While office hours provide an off-site location to meet with businesses, city economic development staff are always available by appointment. 

"Our goal is to connect with businesses in the community and provide assistance as they grow and expand," said Baumler. Offsite office hours provide additional opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small businesses.  

Be sure to follow Frederick's Department of Economic Development on Twitter, @frederickded, for updates or changes to office hours.

Office Hour Locations - UPDATED

Cowork Frederick

122 E Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Office Hours: 4th Thursday of Each Month, 1pm-3pm

Located in Downtown Frederick, Cowork Frederick offers a variety of cowork options to work from the facility or meet there.  They strive to foster a sense of community among members. “We could work anywhere, but we choose to work together,” their website states.

FITCI

4539 Metropolitan Court
Frederick, MD 21704
Office Hours: 2nd Thursday of Each Month, 1pm-3pm

FITCI supports early stage Biotechnology, Information Technology, and Renewable Energy start-up companies by offering office and wet lab space, business services, virtual offices, and strategic support to local entrepreneurs.  






Golden Mile Office Hours - TBD
Date Updated: May 28, 2015

This Week on Carroll Creek: February 4, 2015

Brick pavers for the Galleria walkways and stone work on the creek walls, continues near the Delaplaine and the "Galleria" Fountain. Where stone work is going on, water levels in the creek have to be lowered to allow workers access - called "dewatering".

As well, heated tents (see pic below) just before East Street are set up for workers to allow stone to be repaired during the cold winter months. The inside temperature must be above 40 degrees as well as all materials. The creek wall improvements to the East of the Delaplaine should be completed mid February, depending on weather.

Poole Landscaping will be starting sod and plantings in mid-to-late March and planned fountains should be finished by the first of April if weather cooperates.

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.

Nominate YOUR Frederick Business for a 2015 Best Places to Work award!

If you love the Frederick company you work for...
 

Then tell us!  Your company will have a chance to take home a coveted Best Places to Work award, window cling, and enjoy the fabulous awards ceremony. Share all the great benefits your company offers its employees with the Frederick business community. Great health insurance? Company picnics? Job training? Philanthropic efforts? Service awards? No detail is too small. Let everyone know just how great your company is.

Nominate Your Company
Deadline: March 30  
By completing the nomination form, your Frederick County business will be considered for a "Best Places to Work" award. Only one submission is needed per business. Be sure to answer all the questions to increase your chances of winning, which may require you to coordinate with your CEO or human resources department. 

This is a great opportunity to share your best practices and inspire other organizations. Finalists and winners will be announced and celebrated on July 30, 2015 at the awards ceremony at the Delaplaine in Downtown Frederick.

And just like last year, winners will receive coverage in the August issue of Frederick Magazine. So get those nominations in! Deadline is March 30th.
 

From 2014 Major Employer co-winner, Experient, "I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all the great employees at Experient who make it one of the Best Places to Work in Frederick County. Winning this award has brought Experient more local press than we've ever had, and that kind of recognition goes a long way toward retention and recruitment."

                  –Shawn Pierce, Division President, Experient Registration & Housing

If you have any questions about the nomination form, program, or awards ceremony, please call us at 301-600-6360 or visit our Best Places to Work page on Facebook. 

The Best Places to Work awards is brought to you in partnership by The City of Frederick, Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Business Development & Retention Department, Frederick County Workforce Services & The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

Downtown Hotel Update - January 30, 2015

Artist's conceptual illustration of the Downtown Frederick Hotel. Courtesy of Plamondon Hospitality Partners, LLC.

January 30, 2015

The Downtown Frederick Hotel and Conference Center project took a major step forward today in Annapolis with unanimous approval by the Frederick County State Delegation for a  letter of support to Governor Hogan and a recommendation of $7.5 million in FY16 for public infrastructure associated with the development of the project (parking and associated improvements and land).  

On hand to support the delegation request were Mayor Randy McClement, County Executive Jan Gardner, Chamber President Elizabeth Cromwell, Downtown Partnership Director Kara Norman, Frederick County Policy Director Roger Wilson, and Director of Economic Development Richard Griffin.   

“We are simply delighted to receive unanimous support for this critical project and look forward to working with the developer – Plamondon Hospitality Partners, LLC – to get the project designed, approved, and constructed,” stated Griffin.  He added that “the team will work hard over the next few weeks to secure a commitment from the Hogan administration for the requested investment.”  

The Downtown Hotel Advisory Committee had requested $15 million from the state in two installments of $7.5 million per year in FY16-FY17.  The full-service hotel and conference center is anticipated to be branded as a flagship Marriott hotel with 207 rooms and 24,000 square feet of meeting space.  The facility will be privately owned and operated with no ongoing subsidy from local or state government.

Seeking Marketing and Communications Intern - Spring 2015

The City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development is seeking a communications and marketing intern.  Primary responsibilities will include writing and developing content for digital outlets (newsletters, blog posts, website, social media, etc.) and print collateral; photography; and updating website or blog posts to support business development activities of the department.  Candidate will also support business recruitment and retention efforts such as attending business visits, events, workshops, and supporting economic development projects. 

Ideal candidate will be have a positive attitude, experience writing digital content, experience with social media for an organization/business/non-profit, and be able to work independently in an office environment. Strong writers of all majors are encouraged to apply. We are seeking a college student that is looking to complete an internship for credit via their college. This is an unpaid internship opportunity. 

As a part of the internship, the student will:

• Develop a series of blog posts and other content for his/her end of semester portfolio
• Gain an understanding of local government by attending both staff level and public meetings
• Work with Frederick’s business community and directly interface with business owners
• Gain practical experience in marketing and communications
• Attend business and community networking events and professional development opportunities as schedules permit

Apply: Please email resume and writing samples (links to samples are fine) to Michelle Kershner – mkershner@cityoffrederick.com. Writing samples can include articles, blog posts, websites, promotional materials, or classroom projects. 

Deadline: January 30, 2015. 

Industry Spotlight: Tourism

Credit: C. Kurt Holter/Visit Frederick

Frederick businesses know that visitors make an impact on the local economy. Over the past 15 years, there was a $1B cumulative gain in visitor spending, an impressive figure that set a milestone for the local tourism industry. The announcement came during the annual membership meeting of the Tourism Council of Frederick County, where the organization also announced that Frederick County climbed from 11th place to 8th place among Maryland Counties in spending by visitors. 

More than 1.7 visitors come to Frederick County each year, spending $361 million during their stay in the area, according to 2013 statistics released by the Tourism Council.  These impressive figures only account for visitors traveling from more than 50 miles or more away. Because it doesn't include visitors from places like Montgomery County or Washington, D.C., the actual impact from visitors is even greater. 

Tourism is a major industry sector for the City of Frederick. One of the chief attractions is Frederick’s dynamic 40-block historic district, with its nationally renowned architecture, historic sites, arts and entertainment, and a thriving shopping and dining scene.  Downtown Frederick is home to approximately 850 businesses, many of which rely on visitors.  

Within minutes of Downtown Frederick are wineries, Civil War battlefields and historic sites, recreational opportunities, and scenic landscapes, making the area attractive to a variety of travelers.

“Tourism is one of our major industry sectors in Frederick” says Richard Griffin, Economic Development Director for the City of Frederick. Top business leaders in the city agree. In a recent survey of the Economic Development Advisory Council, an ad-hoc committee appointed by the Mayor, members were asked to rate targeted industries on a rating scale in terms of their importance to the City of Frederick’s economy. 92% of the survey respondents ranked it as an “important” to “very important” industry sector.

Looking towards the future, new plans for a Downtown Frederick hotel will help grow the industry provide overnight accommodations for groups and travelers downtown, an amenity many travelers seek. 

For more information, visit the Tourism Council of Frederick County or read the recent feature story on tourism in Frederick County in the January 2015 issue of Frederick Magazine. 

Proposed Downtown Hotel & Conference Center

Do you wonder what the new proposed Downtown Frederick hotel might look like? These artist's renderings of the proposed Downtown Hotel & Conference Center were unveiled at the Tourism Council of Frederick County’s annual fall membership meeting. 


The images were provided by the chosen developer for the project, Plamondon Hospitality Partners. 

Artist's rendering of downtown shopping and restaurants near the proposed hotel