Entrepreneurs, Get Ready to Make Your Pitch!

Got a great business idea? Ready to pitch your startup? You're in luck, because the the Startup Maryland Bus is coming to Downtown Frederick on September 23. On it, you can pitch your business idea and have a chance to get your plans off the ground.

Get on the Startup Maryland Bus to Make Your Pitch

Save the Date: September 23, 2014
 

1. Register to Make Your Pitch - All participants must register to get on the bus at the Frederick, Maryland stop. The bus will be in Frederick on the afternoon of September 23, 2014. Take just a few minutes to register: http://bit.ly/frederickpitch2014 

2. Let us Know You Want to Pitch-  Once you register, you will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-pitch meeting at FITCI. Here, you will practice your pitch and receive valuable feedback. The best pitches will be guaranteed a chance to pitch on the Startup Maryland Bus. Once you register, you will be contacted by the pre-pitch committee to make your appointment.
 
Know you want to pitch? Email us to schedule your pre-pitch time now (info@fitci.org). 

3.  Get on the Startup Bus to Make Your Pitch - On the afternoon of September 23, 2014, the Startup Maryland Bus will be at Brewer's Alley in Downtown Frederick (124 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701). 

From here, you will board the bus and make your pitch. Afterwards, network with other entrepreneurs at Brewer's Alley, and invite family, friends, and supporters to cheer you on and celebrate your accomplishment! 

Then what?

The Startup Maryland Bus is also a production studio, and your pitch will turn into a 2-3 minute video.  After the bus tour wraps-up, videos are posted online. Two online voting competitions from September through November will determine "Fan Favorites” and which companies have the “Strongest Potential for High Growth” according to a panel of VC/angel investors.

Not pitching? Come for the fun & networking.

The bus will be parked in front of Brewer’s Alley, and Brewer’s will serve as the spot for those pitching, family, friends, business partners, and supporters to gather and network before and after the pitches. Join us for light refreshments and a chance to support entrepreneurs in the community. It's noteworthy that Brewer's Alley is also owned by a local restaurant entrepreneur, and an example of the opportunity in Frederick for small businesses.  

Startup Maryland Event

September 23, 2014

2-4 p.m.

Brewer's Alley

124 N Market St.

Frederick, MD 21701

More Information & Registration: http://bit.ly/frederickpitch2014 

Job Opportunity! Frederick Based Small Business Consultant

The Maryland Western Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC), located at Frostburg State University, seeks applications for a Small Business Consultant. This is a full-time, exempt position based in Frederick, MD and includes University System of Maryland benefits package.

Responsibilities: Provide management and technical assistance to small businesses. Package loans. Client management via one-on-one counseling and client files. Outreach via marketing and informing of federal and state legislators. Facilitate training workshops. Maintain professional development.

Minimum Qualifications: MBA and at least five years of relevant business experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel). Interpersonal skills to interact with a variety of clients; excellent oral and written communications skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Five years of business ownership experience. Knowledge of the economic development community in Frederick County and an understanding of licensing and regulatory requirements, especially in technology.

Visit https://frostburg.peopleadmin.com to apply.
Application deadline is September 15, 2014.

Frostburg State University welcomes and encourages women, veterans and minorities to apply and seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.  FSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Appropriate auxiliary aids and services for qualified individuals with disability will be provided upon request.  Please notify us in advance. 
WWW.FROSTBURG.EDU

"Park and Shop" Program - Validated Parking Tickets Available at Downtown Businesses

The City of Frederick Parking Department wants Downtown Frederick business owners as well as any residents and visitors that come shop downtown to know about the "Park and Shop" program.

If you are a Downtown Frederick business owner, you can contact the City's Parking Department at 301-600-1429 or visit the Parking Staff at the Court Street parking garage to learn more and sign up for the program, which allows you to offer your customers validated parking passes in various dollar amounts.

Clyde Hicks, owner of The Trail House on S. Market Street shares this about the program,

"We have been using the Park and Shop program for years and our customer's seem

to really appreciate it. We encourage our staff to promote the program to our customers and

 over the years, more and more people are taking advantage of it. To us, its seems like a

win-win for our business and our customers." 

Jeff Horowitz with Colonial Jewelers is a supporter of the program as well.

"The Park and Shop program provides a great service to our customers.   Downtown businesses are at a disadvantage compared to mall and free-standing stores, which have convenient, free parking.  This program allows downtown merchants to counteract at least the cost of parking in the decks to shop downtown, where there is limited on-street  parking near their stores (which is not free)."

 

This Week on Carroll Creek: August 15

Phase two work continues along Carroll Creek between the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center and S. East Street. 

The photographs show the construction progress that will support new park amenities such as a shared use path and fountains. 

Fountain Construction - A prominent structure in most of the images shows the construction of what is called "Galleria Fountain." One of the unique aspects of this fountain is that it will have 70 nozzles that will spray water, providing a one-of-a-kind water feature in this area. 

August 14, 2014

Artist interpretation of phase two of Carroll Creek.  This drawing is conceptual only, and does not represent the actual plans that will be built, however it does illustrate how phase two will activate more areas along the creek and tie into the existing park. 

August 14, 2014

August 14, 2014

Outside of the construction trailer, samples of the finishes that will be used in the complete project are displayed. August 14, 2014

August 14, 2014 

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.

Chamber Thanks Members and Welcomes New President

On August 12, 2014, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce hosted their 2014 General Membership Reception at Frederick Community College. 

Josh Bokee, City of Frederick Alderman and Board Chair of the Frederick Chamber, kicked off the event by welcoming attendees and introducing incoming Chamber President & CEO Elizabeth Cromwell.  Bokee thanked past President and CEO Ric Adams and former acting President and CEO Paul Frey for their service and significant contributions to the Chamber. Over 200 attendees were in attendance.  

During the event, the Chamber recognized three City of Frederick businesses for their membership:

• Offutt, Horman, Burdette & May PA, member for 54 years
• Rice Tire, member for 58 years
• Frederick Brick Works Inc., member for 102 years 

The City of Frederick has been a Chamber member since 1986 and is a Silver Trustee Member.  Annually, The City hosts a Chamber business card exchange at City Hall.  The Department of Economic Development is proud to have a strong, collaborative partnership with the Frederick Chamber to support our local businesses community.  

Did You Know? The Frederick Chamber of Commerce was issued “U.S. Chamber Membership Certificate No. 1” after submitting its application on the third day of the organizing conference that established the U.S. Chamber. 

For more information about the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.frederickchamber.org. 

Join the Excitement: Frederick County Business Appreciation Week!

Frederick County Business Development and Retention is gearing up for the 2014 Business Appreciation Week. During the week of October 27-31, small groups of local ambassadors will be making brief visits to businesses throughout The City of Frederick and Frederick County. If you are a Frederick business and want a great way to get the word out about your product and services, sign up now!

This is a unique way to hear about your business, thank you for being here, identify any concerns or potential issues you might have and help spread the word about how fantastic your company is.

There are many other benefits to participating:

• Free press release service via prweb ($250 value)
• Invitation to the County's Annual Business Reception in December, the biggest Frederick County business networking event of the year
• Potential to win company awards at the Annual Business Reception
• Inclusion in a free BAW advertisement in the Frederick News Post
• Promotion on social media outlets during and after BAW

Sign-up today and you will be contacted in September with the exact date and time of your visit. Slots fill fast so please sign-up by September 5th. We are looking for companies we have not visited in the past 3 years. You may register now via the link or call 301-600-1058.

Register Now!