Frederick’s workforce and business community is one of the best in the nation, but both continue to suffer due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Our local unemployment rates are tracking at or below state and national averages with the June 2020 unemployment rate at 7.6% (8.4% City) compared to 8.3% statewide and 11.1% nationally (DLLR). Businesses are safely operating through remote work and/or reduced occupancy/hours. Slowly businesses are expanding operations and rehiring workers. But issues of economic forecasts, worker health, housing, and childcare continue to be a challenge.  The City has provided rental assistance to help Frederick families stay in their homes, has helped ensure that critical resident needs are being provided through non-profit assistance grants, and has provided business micro-grants to help businesses cover rent and utility expenses. As schools head back into session on August 31st, one of the critical issues for working Frederick families is childcare. Frederick County has launched a major child care initiative with $2.0 million in grants for childcare providers to ensure sufficient options for residents. 

In the meantime, there is much positive business activity to report in the community including Frederick Best Places To Work Awards, Food Truck Operations expansion, runway and taxiway expansion at Frederick Municipal Airport and numerous business openings. The City has a rich cultural business community and is seeking to strengthen its policies relating to minority and women-owned business participation in City procurement. As a first step, the city is conducting a Disparity Study to understand how Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE’s) are faring in terms of city contracting. 

Frederick has stabilized and has begun the recovery process. 

Hang in there !