Development Showcase Highlights Planned Investments Along the Golden Mile

An estimated 200 residents attended The Golden Mile Alliance's Development Showcase at the Frederick Elks Lodge, along with representation from elected officials, City staff, and the Frederick Police Department.  The event was organized to educate the community on the numerous planned investments along the Golden Mile corridor.  Representatives from major commercial and residential projects provided updates and addressed questions from residents and community members in attendance.  

Projects on display included:

• Butterfly Ridge Elementary - Frederick County Public Schools
• Frederick Towne Center & Walmart
• Hargett Farm  
• Summers Farm 
• Townhomes at Willow Bend
• Wawa - Core Development
• West Park Village - Buchanan Partners

The Golden Mile Alliance meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Municipal Annex Building, located at 140 West Patrick Street.  Please contact the Golden Mile Alliance for details.

For the latest information on planned events and projects along the Golden Mile, check out the Golden Mile Alliance's website and Facebook page.

DED Markets Frederick Beyond City Limits

Marketing The City of Frederick as a location where businesses can thrive is a key objective for the Department of Economic Development (DED). Each year, DED attends and exhibits at numerous conferences and trade shows to reach targeted audiences, including vital industry sectors, elected officials, and partner organizations. At these events, the DED team expands the awareness of the community's amenities, showcases the quality of life in Frederick, and promotes the services the department can offer.  

Below is an overview of the conferences and events DED participates in each year:

Local Business Events

• Chamber Business Expo - Most recently, DED exhibited locally at the 20th Annual Frederick Expo, organized by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.  The Business Expo enables the department to network with dozens of existing Frederick employers.  In collaboration with Frederick County's Office of Economic Development, the joint presence aligned with the Expo's "Pop Up Frederick" theme and provided the opportunity to highlight the County's designated Main Streets.
  
• SMART Proc - In support of Frederick's largest employer, Fort Detrick, DED actively participates in the annual SMART Proc conference.  SMART Proc provides area businesses with resources and information related to contract opportunities with Fort Detrick and the National Cancer Institute-Frederick.

Biosciences & Technology

• Entrepreneur Expo - The Entrepreneur Expo is organized annually by the Maryland Technology Development Corporation.  The Expo provides a venue for DED to interact with leading start-ups and entrepreneurs from across Maryland.  DED exhibited for the first time in November 2015 and promoted the many benefits and resources available to start-ups in Frederick.
  
• Atlantic Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Summit - The AVI Summit is organized by the Tech Council of Maryland and enables the City to highlight Frederick's placement as Northern Anchor of the I-270 Technology Corridor to industry leaders and biosciences firms located in the mid-Atlantic region.
  
• BIO International - Frederick County is home to the second largest concentration of life sciences companies within Maryland.  Nearly half of the County's 85 life sciences companies are located within the City of Frederick.  As a target industry, the City and County economic development offices share a booth space within the larger Maryland Pavilion at the BIO International Convention annually. 
  
• Maryland Regional Biotech Forum- Hosted at the MedImmune campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the Maryland Regional Biotech Forum provides networking opportunities with regional players in the biotech industry.  In 2015, DED's own Richard Griffin participated on panel discussing regional collaboration. 

Retail

• ICSC Mid-Atlantic - The International Council of Shopping Center's Mid-Atlantic Conference promotes The City of Frederick to prospective shopping center developers, retailers, and restaurant operators.

Growing Frederick's Future

• MML - The annual Maryland Municipal League Conference provides forum for cities and towns across Maryland to learn about the major projects planned within the City.  Additionally, the City highlights the attractions, events, and amenities offered in Frederick.
• City of Frederick Day in Annapolis - Each year, the City updates legislators and state leaders on select City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway.

City and County Economic Development partners joined together for the annual Chamber Expo in October 2015. The booth followed the Pop Up Community theme.

The City's Economic Development Advisory Council Begins Second Year

Appointed and ex-officio members of the Ad Hoc Economic Development Advisory Council and staff stand for a photo at the September 2015 EDAC meeting.

Approximately one year ago, a newly established group, the Ad Hoc Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC), met to review plans for Frederick's economic future. Over the last year, the group focused on three specific topics to ensure The City of Frederick continues to attract private business investment, jobs, and economic opportunity. 
EDAC subcommittees addressed the following topics:

• Land Management Code Revisions - The group evaluated the land management code and made recommendations to improve efficiency. At the September 2015 meeting, Deputy Director of Planning Joe Adkins, AICP reported that The City has retained a consultant to focus on making changes to improve the code.  The process will engage members of the community to assess current needs, and updates will be recommended to the Mayor and Board of Alderman for implementation. 
• Business Personal Property Tax - With EDAC support, the Board of Alderman voted to eliminate Business Personal Property Tax in April 2015. Manufacturers are exempt from paying business personal property tax on new investments immediately, and the tax will be completely phased out for all businesses over a 10 year period. Learn more.
• Small Business Tool Kit - Evaluate tools for businesses and make recommendations for additional programs to support businesses in The City of Frederick.

EDAC was tasked with providing guidance on:

• Sound regulatory policies affecting business & industry
• Annual economic development work program & budget
• Business development incentives
• Evaluation methodology to determine efficiency of economic development programs
• Special issues/projects assigned by the Mayor & Board of Aldermen
• Community education on economic & business development topics

For more information, review past EDAC agendas and meeting minutes.