5 Benefits of Frederick's New Manufacturing Tax Credit

A Program Overview

 The Mayor and Board of Aldermen established a new tax credit program targeted at Frederick manufacturers looking to make a substantial investment in their facility and workforce.  The ordinance was approved on August 20, 2015 and created a 10-year tax credit against the increased assessed taxable value of a manufacturing facility.  Frederick County approved a similar program on September 1, 2015.

"The tax credit will increase Frederick's competitiveness and is intended to attract new capital investment and job creation," said Richard Griffin, The City of Frederick's Director of Economic Development. Specifically, the credit assists the City in its ability to attract and retain advanced technology and manufacturing businesses, a targeted industry for the City of Frederick.

Manufacturing is especially important to Frederick's economic vitality.  Unlike many professional services businesses where workers can be located almost anywhere, manufacturers make significant capital investments in their site and rely on the local workforce to operate the facility. In addition to hiring from the community, manufacturers often create indirect jobs through related supply chain opportunities and partnerships.

In order to qualify for the credit, a manufacturer must 
  1. Increase the value of their facility by at least $100,000 (as a result of the expansion project), and 
  2. Add at least 3 net new jobs at the facility.  
Depending on the value of the new investment and the number of new jobs created with the project, the 10-year tax credit increases on a sliding scale from 20% to 100% (outlined below).  

 While businesses will receive tax relief on the portion of their tax bill related to the expansion project, businesses will continue to pay property taxes on the the portion of the site not related to the expansion.

How it Works
  • A manufacturer plans to either acquire a new site or expand its current site with a new building or an addition to a current building.
  • The business constructs the updated facility and hires new employees.
  • Following completion of the project, the State Tax Assessor reassess the property and determines the dollar figure of the new assessment that can be attributed directly to the expansion project.
  • The business will now apply for the tax credit and will receive the credit on the number that was determined by the State. The business continues to pay its normal property taxes on the value of the property not related to the expansion.

5 Benefits of the Manufacturing Tax Credit
  1. It increases jobs. The tax credit encourages job creation as the program requires a business to not only make a capital investment in their facility, but to add net new jobs at a minimum of 150% of the federal minimum wage.  Manufacturing jobs provide family supporting wages and are vital to Frederick's economy.
  2. It encourages investment and reinvestment. Businesses will not be penalized with a higher property tax bill for investing in their facility and hiring new workers.  The tax credit gradually phases the increased taxable value of the building over a 10-year period.
  3. It gives Frederick a regional competitive advantage. In conjunction with a 100% tax credit for manufacturers acquiring new personal property, the tax credit program is another tool the City can utilize to market its business cost advantage to manufacturers considering a location in the region.
  4. It attracts new business. When a businesses is looking to open or relocate a business, every expense matters. This can tilt the scale between Frederick and another jurisdiction. 
  5. It helps small businesses. 95% of all businesses in Frederick are small businesses. The tax credit program doesn't just assist large corporations. It also assists small and locally owned manufacturers looking to expand or locate within the City of Frederick.
To find out more about the Manufacturing Tax Credit, contact The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development. 

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

Inspiring Offices: Wood Street


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 feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this month's inspiring office in Frederick - Wood Street. Wood Street partner Jamie Stup answered a few questions about what they love about their office space. 


August 2015 Inspiring Office - Wood Street
Founded in 2002, Wood Street has built a reputation of consistently dedicating itself to outstanding web design and development, as well as quality customer service. They are located at 303 East Patrick Street in Frederick.
 
Through these core principles, we have been able to acquire top-notch design, development and marketing talent as well as ally ourselves with some of the area’s leading experts in the industry.

Wood Street is managed by the partnership of James Stup, Jon-Mikel Bailey, Jason Giuliano, and Derek Jubach. Their partner team has over 35 years of combined web design and development experience. Smart growth has been, and continues to be, a top priority for the company. Through this philosophy, they are able to provide cost-effective solutions to existing and potential clients.

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has Wood Street been located here? 
We choose our office based on several factors, including its proximity to Downtown Frederick, that we have plenty of parking, and the office layout is very open. We've been here since 2011.

Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out? 
The office space was technically move in ready, but it really needed some updates to modernize it - wood flooring in the conference room, new floors in the kitchen and bathroom, and a new coat of paint as well as some wiring. The "southwest" themed wall paper needed to come down as well as the teal carpeting in the conference room.

What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
We're still working on decorating. Obviously, we hung several pieces of our work as well as our awards and accolades, but for the most part we like having an empty canvas. We work daily in so many different mediums, its nice to have an office that grounds us.

What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
The openness, interior brick surface and the conference room overlooking the offices are by far the best qualities. The theme of our space is really one of collaboration and teamwork.

What do your employees like best about the office space?
The open-office design allows all employees to converse with each other as well as supervisors. Also, the high ceilings come in handy during our indoor corn-hole tournaments.

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. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature!

This Week on Carroll Creek - August 10, 2015

A grand opening was held last month to celebrate the first section of the final phase of Carroll Creek Park being completed. In case you haven't seen the new fountain, take a walk just past the Delaplaine and before East Street. 


On the west side of the Creek, things are moving quickly on the next set of fountains to come online - The Spring House Fountains across from LaPaz. Check out the beautiful stone work and progress. Look for updates on Facebook as details are announced regarding the opening of this section.



 Some additional photos of the east side of the park:

How to Market Your Retail or Office Space to Potential Tenants

An Introduction to Online Business Location Search

Whether a start-up or a business simply looking for new space, online property search tools are vital to finding a new business location.  Commercial brokers assist their clients and utilize online database services to locate potential business locations. 

For individual property owners interested in leasing space directly, it is important to also include your property listing in online commercial property databases.  Both CoStar and LoopNet are popular services and enable both commercial brokers and individuals to search for available business locations.  As a property owner, you may include your listing in both services at no charge for a basic listing.  Property listings can include details including a space description, square footage, photographs, and pricing.  Follow the instructions below to ensure your listing is viewable to your potential tenants and always feel free to contact the Department of Economic Development for additional resources.

How to add your listing to LoopNet

1. Add a Listing / Create an Account - Begin your listing by accessing LoopNet's website.  Next, select "Add a lease listing".  You will also be prompted to open an account and provide your name, an email address, and to create a password.

2. Add Your Property - This is your opportunity to include the important information prospective tenants are looking for, including the space size, price, pictures, and a complete property description.


3. Select Your Listing Type - Continue with a complimentary standard listing or select a premium listing. 

4. Track Your Listings - Once your property listing is live, you can monitor the listing and make any changes/updates in real-time.

How to add your listing to Costar

Once you have created a listing in LoopNet, you have the information necessary for inclusion in CoStar.  Unlike LoopNet, a representative must enter your listing into the system.  This service is also available at no charge by completing the following steps:


 1. Contact CoStar at 1-800-613-1303 or support@costar.com.  Please be sure to include the listing description and photographs for your property listing.   

 2. Review the proof of your listing.  Once CoStar has received your listing and entered the information into the system, you will receive a proof of the listing for your final approval.  Once the listing is approved, the property will become searchable in the CoStar database.

7 Farmers Markets in the City of Frederick

Everedy Square & Shab Row Farmers Market

Frederick is fortunate to be surrounded by bountiful farmland.  Farmers Markets in the area help those who live and work access locally grown and harvested items nearly every day of the week.  Some locations provide weekday convenience to those working in Downtown Frederick or at Fort Detrick.  

 7 Farmers Markets Located in the City of Frederick, Maryland (2015)

Everedy Square & Shab Row Farmers Market
Church and East Streets
Through October 29
Thursdays, 3pm – 6pm

West Frederick Farmers Market
United HealthCare Parking Lot
800 Oak Street
Through November 21
Saturdays, 10am-1pm

Frederick City Market
331 N. Market Street
Through October 25
Sundays, 9am – 1pm

9380 Butterfly Lane
Through Mid November
Fridays, 3pm – 6pm

Great Frederick Fair Farmers Market
Frederick Fairgrounds – East Patrick Street
Open Year Round
Saturdays, 8:00am – 2:00pm 

 Farmers Markets at NCI- Frederick
NCI-Frederick located on Fort Detrick - Open to Public
Outdoor Market space is located in the parking lot in front of the NCI Cafe/Scientific Library (Building 549) 
Through October
Tuesdays, 11am – 1:30pm

YMCA of Frederick Farmers Market
1000 N. Market Street
Through October 6
Tuesdays, 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Learn more about other Farmers Markets in Frederick County. 

 Updated: August 4, 2015

Frederick Businesses Honored at Best Places to Work Awards Ceremony

Best Places to Work Category Winners from L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Tony Benedetto - ASI, Michelle Michael - AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Victoria Johnston - Nymeo, Richard Fouke - Antietam Technologies, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner
Frederick area businesses were recognized during the annual Best Places to Work Awards held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, Maryland on July 30, 2015. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted, and six companies rose to the top after judges completed the scoring. Scoring categories included work-life balance, median salary, turnover rate, benefits, diversity, and professional growth.  

 Primary category winners included:
Small Employer (1-10 employees)
Honorable Mention - United Way of Frederick County



Medium Employer (11-50 employees)
Honorable Mention - Go Ape

Large Employer (51-200 employees)
Winner - Nymeo
Honorable Mention - U.S. Silica

Major Employer ( 200+ employees)
Honorable Mention - Plamondon Companies

Two new categories were introduced this year: Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Most Creative Workplace Environment.

Winners in these categories included:

  • Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity – Edward Jones Investments
  • Most Creative Workplace Environment – CAS Engineering
From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Jay Wandalowski and Linda Hobbs - Edward Jones Investments,  Curt Schreffler - CAS Engineering, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner
In addition to category award winners, six businesses were recognized with the “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” award. “This award recognizes owners or presidents of companies who go above and beyond to connect with their employees,” said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick.

The 2015 Unsung Heroes in the Workplace are:
 2015 “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” Video

Helen Propheter, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, said, "These companies join an elite group of businesses committed to retaining exceptional employees and their success. We are proud of the 2015 Best Places to Work recipients and proud that they chose Frederick County as their place to call home."

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees.  The 2015 awards program is a partnership between Frederick County Workforce Services, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.


For more information and photos of the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/FrederickCountyBPTW. 

McClintock Distillery to Call Downtown Frederick Home


A new business is in the process of calling Downtown Frederick and Carroll Creek Park home. McClintock Distilling Company announced plans to renovate 35 South Carroll Street and open in the fall. They will focus on small batch, limited release products that use unconventional ingredients. 

McClintock Distilling on Instagram
A recent press release shared by the company states they will launch with a craft gin using Appalachian-inspired botanicals as well as a sustainably sourced white whiskey. 

 Frederick history is tied to this new business as well. The story of a local figure and innovator in the 1800's, McClintock Young, is a source of inspiration for the company. According to their website, "McClintock Young's incredible story will be integral to the products and experiences of the distillery." 

Their website and Instagram account show current work being done on the interior of the building, including great time-lapse videos of the improvements to the space.

 City code was amended in December of 2014, which permitted small craft distilleries in the Downtown Frederick area. McClintock Distilling Company is just one distillery expected to open as a result of the updated legislation. For more information on the legislation, read the related post, "Are small distilleries the next big thing for Frederick?"

 "We've had inquiries from other distilleries as well, and are very excited to follow the progress of the craft distillery industry in Frederick," said Economic Development Manager Bobby Baumler. 

 For more information visit www.mcclintockdistilling.com. 

How Dublin Roasters Makes "The Most Excellent Beans"

Made in Frederick: Dublin Roasters Coffee


Story by Nick Masucci, Intern, Hood College

When walking into Dublin Roasters Coffee for the first time, there is an open atmosphere that makes customers feel welcome. This was owner Serina Roy’s goal when she moved her coffee roasting business to Frederick, Maryland.

Roy began roasting coffee 15 years ago as a hobby for small coffee companies in Frederick and Westminster when she wasn’t working as a police officer for The City of Frederick. As she started delivering coffee to more coffee shops, Roy also started demonstrating her coffee-roasting techniques and speaking to customers at different events in the area. Her business grew after more customers tried her coffee and saw how she crafted it.

Roy originally started roasting coffee in her garage before moving into a shop in New Market, Maryland. Her business was located in New Market for three years before moving her shop to Frederick in 2010.

Today, Dublin Roasters creates a variety of roasted coffee beans in their shop, which is located on 1780 N. Market Street in Frederick. In her shop, she sells coffee by the cup, specialty drinks, baked goods, and locally-made products.  Dublin Roasters can also create custom coffee blends for customers for special occasions, such as weddings. All of their beans are locally roasted in Frederick.

In addition to roasting coffee beans, Dublin Roasters offers fresh coffee by the cup, specialty coffees, their special roasts by the bag, baked goods, locally produced foods and handmade items.
According to Roy, starting with a quality product is the secret to crafting a great cup of coffee. “We only buy the most excellent beans,” she said.  Her beans come from small family farms, and she personally knows the farmers.

When roasting her coffee, Roy said that “every single bean reacts differently to the heat and to the environment.” The beans tell you how to roast them and that each bean tells its own tale. This is one of the things that Roy enjoys most about her business.

“The coffee is freshly roasted; we only roast when a customer orders it or when we’re out of coffee,” said Roy. Roy said that Dublin Roasters prides itself on making fresh coffee for its customers, making sure their coffee is not acidic or bitter.

Bean roasting process step-by-step. 
Frederick offers a great community of people who support local businesses, she said. “People here want to put their money into homegrown things,” said Roy. The community goes out of its way to support local businesses and locally made products.

Roy considers Dublin Roasters a community center for the people of Frederick and for people who are passionate about coffee.  The shop’s open space allows different groups of people in the community to come together and meet.

At Dublin Roasters, “We want to talk to you; we don’t want to just serve you,” said Roy.


Learn more about Dublin Roasters
www.dublinroasterscoffee.com


About Made in Frederick -  Made in Frederick posts will feature items that are locally manufactured or produced within The City of Frederick. If you have a suggestion for a Made in Frederick feature, contact us. 

City of Frederick Represented at Maryland Municipal League Annual Convention

Donna Goff from The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development
greeting visitors to the Frederick booth at MML.

 For the 10th year, The City of Frederick is well represented during the MML Annual Convention. Along with hundreds of other Maryland city and town officials who gather at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual convention, Frederick's Mayor, Aldermen and City staff attend to learn about and discuss municipal issues and to network with fellow city and town officials. 

During the convention, exhibitors display a wide array of products and services including wireless technology, engineering, GIS systems, financial services, insurance, lighting, ordinance codification, recreation and parks equipment, water and wastewater supplies, consultants, and public works equipment and vehicles.

The convention is also a great opportunity for other city and town representatives to visit the City of Frederick booth and find out all the fantastic events and attractions throughout the City and County. As well, we take information about projects such as the Downtown Hotel, Carroll Creek Park and the Golden Mile to share with other municipalities in the event they have similar projects and issues.

Inspiring Offices: En-Net Services


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 feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick.

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek inside this month's inspiring office in Frederick - En-Net Services.

June 2015 Inspiring Office - En-Net Services
 


Originally, En-Net offered networking and energy consulting services to government contractors and major utility companies. By 1997 their offerings expanded to include  information technology products to Federal Government agencies. In 1998 En-Net was awarded a GSA schedule that is still utilized today and have formed many partnerships which allows teamwork on additional contract vehicles. Today, they take pride in offering turnkey solutions to all public sector entities including federal, state and local governments, as well as education.

DED staff met with Brian Sheffer, the original founding member and President, and learned the history about their unique building and office space. 
  
Why did you choose your current office location and how long has En-Net been located here? 
En-Net has always been located Downtown, in a previous location from 1996 to 2009, and now in our current location on East Street.  We were looking to expand our facility and wanted ample parking for our employees.  Our current location provides both, plus easy access to all parts of Frederick County.  En-Net employees love the fact that they work close to wonderful shops and restaurants in Downtown Frederick.

Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out?
The previous owner of our building did a remarkable job in renovating and updating the building to accommodate a growing business.  However, due to our specific office needs, we reconfigured some of the office space.  We also repainted the entire interior and exterior of the building and just recently put in all new energy efficient lighting and windows.
An original torpedo hangs above the front porch entrance, honoring the building's original use as a torpedo manufacturer. 

What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
When redesigning our office space, we wanted to preserve the history of the original structure, which was a torpedo manufacturer, and then a gymnasium. We kept the original hardwood floors in the main entrance with the gymnasium logo. The office space also has an open warehouse ceiling, so we designed our sales staff offices to reflect the modern "aluminum and glass' feeling. Overall, we wanted to strike a balance with historical and modern while making the office space updated and functional for our business needs.




Another previous use of the building was the East Street Gym. Current owners Brian Sheffer and Kyle Yost kept the original hardwood floors and the gym logo intact.

What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
When sales representatives come into our office for the first time, they are amazed at how unique it is compared to other modular-style office buildings. We have vibrant colors on the walls throughout both floors and an original torpedo hanging above the front porch entrance honoring the original structure. The business unit locations on two floors allow camaraderie among colleagues while providing easy access for all employees to work together as needed. 


Offices retain an modern feel with aluminum and glass design elements.
What do your employees like best about the office space? En-Net prides itself in having a family culture among our employees. It was important for us to provide an office space reflecting this unique working environment. Our current office provides the appropriate balance of an efficient business operation with an updated and fun decorating style in a convenient location in vibrant downtown Frederick.

 Enjoy More Photos of En-Net's Inspiring Office Space

Corrugated metal and artwork balance nicely against the original hardwood floors and a pop of green color. 

Metal mail slots are functional and allow staff to also express their personalities. 

Paintings such as the silhouette of a woman and the faux window scene add an element of fun and whimsy to the office space.

This cheerful office swag is sure to bring a smile to faces.
 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. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature!

City of Frederick Provides Corporate Fitness Membership Program to Reduce Employer Healthcare Costs & Promote A Healthy Workforce


City of Frederick businesses have the opportunity to provide affordable fitness memberships to employees at the William R.Talley Fitness Center. The Corporate Membership program is available to all City businesses and provides discounted memberships to employees. Businesses can cover the costs of membership for their employees or pass along the savings. 

    Wellness Programs Support Lower Healthcare Costs

    Implementing a wellness program, including access to a gym or fitness facility, reduces healthcare costs for employers and demonstrates an investment in an organization's workforce.  According to a Kaiser Family Health study, large firms offering wellness programs reduced employer healthcare costs by $3.27 for each dollar spent on the wellness program.  Additionally, an article published in the Health Affairs Journal indicates that organizations with health promotion programs experienced an overall reduction of approximately 25% in sick leave, health plan costs, and workers compensation and disability costs.

    Corporate Membership Details

    • Employers must pay City taxes and be located within the municipal limits of the City.  Non-profit organizations that do not have government association also qualify.
    • Membership Costs
      • Adult Membership Costs: $21/month ($240 annually)
      • Senior Membership Costs: $16/month ($170 annually)
    •  Qualifying business must provide written request on company letterhead and provide the Fitness Center with an employee list
    The Talley Fitness Center offers a complete assortment of fitness equipment/machines, on-site lockers and shower facilities, and a robust walk-in fitness class schedule.
    For additional information, please contact Fitness Center Supervisor April Kane at 301-600-3848 or akane@cityoffrederick.com.



    Tech Showcase Focuses on Importance of Research in Frederick

    U.S. Congressman John Delaney gives his remarks to the crowd at the 2015 Tech Showcase.

    On June 4, 2015, Fort Detrick Alliance hosted its annual Tech Showcase at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI) in Frederick, Maryland. The event that featured keynote speaker Major General Brian Lein, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick and Deputy for Medical Systems to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, and Congressman John Delaney, U.S. Representative Maryland’s 6th District.

    “This annual event is an excellent opportunity to learn about the newest technologies to come into the marketplace,” said Fort Detrick Alliance Executive Director Gloria Parsley. 

    Fort Detrick Alliance President Tom Gladstone opened the event with a welcome to attendees, followed by remarks from Major General Lein and Congressman Delaney.

    “Small business is what runs America,” said Major General Lein as he emphasized that groundbreaking research is done in partnership with the community, including the small businesses that Fort Detrick relies upon for collaboration. Fort Detrick’s research has focused on combat casualty care, Ebola vaccines and therapeutics, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

    In Congressman Delaney’s remarks, he described Fort Detrick as “a singular economic asset” for the region and underscored the importance of the research it conducts. Investing in research is the number one multiplier of any dollar spent, he explained.  For every $1 spent, $2.40 is returned on that investment.


    The evening concluded with tours of FITCI, Frederick County’s only business incubator and accelerator.  Attendees had the opportunities to meet with the entrepreneurs currently operating out of FITCI and learn more about their research and technologies.  


    Marketing Program PR Frederick Wins MEDA Award

    View the MEDA Awards video on the PR Frederick program.
    View the MEDA Awards video featuring the award-winning PR Frederick program.
    PR Frederick, a marketing program jointly managed by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, won the top award in the Marketing Category at the 2015 MEDA (Maryland Economic Development Association) Awards ceremony on April 27, 2015. The Frederick County Office of Economic Development was the applicant for the award, which honors organizations achieving significant results from an overall campaign in advertising, marketing, or public relations. 

     PR Frederick is a free service that helps Frederick County businesses increase press outreach and market exposure. On a complimentary basis, Frederick County Economic Development and The City of Frederick Economic Development distribute press releases to an online newswire service. This reaches thousands of media outlets regionally, nationally, and abroad. 

     "Distributing a release via PR Frederick can heighten visibility, competitive edge and multimedia exposure," said City of Frederick Economic Development Director Richard Griffin. 

     To learn more about how PR Web can help your business, visit the PR Frederick page on the City's Department of Economic Development website. 

    For more information, contact the County Office at 301-600-1058 or, if you are a business in The City of Frederick, call 301-600-6360. 


    Left to Right: Ranak Jasani, Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Helen Propheter, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, Keasha Haythe, CEcD, MEDA President

    This Week on Carroll Creek: Share Your Carroll Creek Photos

    View #iHEARTcarrollcreek photos

    The City of Frederick launched a primary account on Instagram (    @cityoffrederick) to share and showcase the City’s unique assets visually. 

    To mark the launch, The City of Frederick is asking Frederick area Instagram users to capture and share their favorite photos of Carroll Creek Park using the hashtag #iHEARTcarrollcreek. 

    The Department of Economic Development is on
    Instagram as @businessinfrederick.
    With construction along Carroll Creek drawing to a conclusion over the upcoming months, sharing favorite Carroll Creek photos is  a way for the community to celebrate together. Select photos with the tag will be shared at the opening events for the new phase of Carroll Creek Park. Details of these events will be announced as construction concludes and plans are finalized.

    The City of Frederick’s primary Instagram account will join the existing City Instagram accounts, including the Department of Economic Development's account, @businessinfrederick.