Business News From The City of Frederick, Maryland
August 2021
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One of Frederick’s top economic development strategies is to cultivate an entrepreneurial climate where start-up businesses can flourish. We do this by advocating for business supportive codes and regulations as well as by helping entrepreneurs get business plan assistance, seed funding, and in some cases special incubator and accelerator programs. Our department has helped hundreds of businesses over the years connect with real estate brokers to select commercial space and through a multitude of programs to encourage investment and job growth. In this issue of Business eNews we are highlighting our updated City Business Start Up Guide as a resource and checklist for entrepreneurs to follow as they start up in the City. During the COVID pandemic, Frederick has had nearly 40 new businesses open their doors.  Small businesses means jobs, tax base, and quality of life. Support Frederick’s small businesses by shopping local.

Additionally, Maryland's COVID State of Emergency was recently lifted on August 15, 2021 by Governor Hogan. The City ordinance allowing the Pop Up Dining Program, which includes parklets, park, and parking lot use, states that the program must end no later than 30 days after the State of Emergency ends. Thus, Frederick's highly successful Pop Up Dining Program will be officially ending at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Support your local restaurants and retailers.

Best,
Richard G. Griffin, AICP, CEcD
Director, Economic Development
Our Business Start-Up Guide is designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the start-up process as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Browse the steps to learn about local resources, tax credits & financial assistance, key real estate considerations, required licenses & permits, promotional opportunities, and more.
The City’s GROW Conditional Grant Program is intended to encourage and financially-support physical improvements by targeted businesses to commercial buildings within The City of Frederick. The competitive program provides a limited quantity of small conditional matching grants subject to fund availability. The program guidelines have been updated to provide opportunities to a wider range of businesses for the coming fiscal year. Explore the new program criteria here and help spread the word to eligible projects.
MD Department of Housing and Community Development is administering $25 million to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties. "Project Restore" will provide two grant opportunities for businesses that plan on opening or expanding into previously vacant spaces. Learn more here.
While not a fit for everyone’s goals, the franchise concept offers an ideal solution for many prospective entrepreneurs. By providing a tested, proven model upfront, a franchise can mitigate some of the risks of a start-up and help facilitate dreams of business ownership.

Read here as Frederick-based franchising consultants, franchisees, and franchisors share their insight to the model.
City of Frederick Pop Up Dining Program to Conclude
On August 15, 2021, Governor Hogan lifted the State of Maryland's State of Emergency. The City ordinance allowing the Pop Up Dining Program, which includes parklets, park, and parking lot use, was designed to end no later than 30 days after the end of the State of Emergency. Accordingly, Pop Up Dining Program will be officially ending at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.The downtown Parklet barriers will be removed later that week. 
Earlier this month, five Frederick County businesses were recognized for the 2021 Annual Best Places to Work Awards. With more than 100 nominations submitted, these companies rose to the top with well-developed remote working opportunities, impressive compensation & benefit programs, attractive business cultures, special engagement programs, and unique efforts to manage the new ‘normal’ of work.
S.H.E. Week 2021 is underway!
S.H.E. Week is a signature event of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business Committee. It’s not too late to catch part of the weeklong program that features daily speaker sessions, networking opportunities, S.H.E. Pitch, and the SHERO Awards.
Join here for both in-person and online content.
Leading No-Code Workflow Platform Provider, HighGear, Announces New Software Release with the release of HighGear 8.7. Learn more about the latest version.

Intelice Solutions recently celebrated 25 years in business providing exceptional IT services.

ETI Precision, a nationwide leader in calibration, repairs, as well as test and measurement equipment located in Frederick, secured its first field service office located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Beckham Gumbin Ventures (BGV), a commercial real estate investor and developer, is beginning construction on brand new R&D laboratory spec suites and amenities at Ballenger Bio (321 Ballenger Center Drive) in Frederick, Maryland

BayRunner Shuttle, a locally-owned and operated airport shuttle received proclamations from Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, Frederick County Executive, Jan Gardner and Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary, Kelly M. Schulz, in celebration of ten years of successful growth and service.

NaturaLawn® of America, the third largest lawn care company in the United States, hosted a grand opening ceremony for its new National Sales Office in downtown Frederick, Md. on August 11, 2021.

iHire announced its first-ever inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. iHire has been honored for a remarkable a three-year revenue growth of 48% between 2017 and 2020.

For the 4th Time, Engage USA appears on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in America.

Does your business have news to share? Send us a press release and we'll help share that great news locally and regionally. Find out how!
Congratulations to the following anniversaries and grand openings:



If you have a business that has opened, relocated, expanded or celebrated
a milestone anniversary in the last 3 months, please tell us!
National Cancer Institute & Frederick National Laboratory: 2021 Technology Showcase
September 1, 2021
September 1, 2021
BioHealth Capital Region: 2021 Virtual Forum
September 13, 2021
Start Up Grind Frederick: Learning, Discussing, Celebrating
October 6, 2021
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City of Frederick | Economic Development | 301-600-6360 | www.businessinfrederick.com