James M. Stockman Cancer Institute Opens July 31, 2017

Another major project is nearing completion; the James M. Stockman Cancer Institute will open for patients on Monday July 31. The new, state of the art institute will replace the existing Regional Cancer Therapy Center on 7^th Street.

The Frederick Regional Health System has made major investments in technology with the new facility with new equipment in CyberKnife, Radiation Therapy and Imaging, but more importantly, they have created better systems and focused on better processes to improve operations and patient experience.

The majority of their cancer services (Oncology Care Consultants, Center for Chest Disease, and FRHS CyberKnife Center) are moving to the new building. The Center for Breast Care will remain at FMH Crestwood. 

The new institute was built with an optimal healing environment, with internal, external, interpersonal and behavioral focus to facilitate an innate healing process. Close attention was paid to the physical environment that patients will experience going forward.

The design and construction included the use of  color, light, artwork, landscaping, privacy and soundproofing. All of these elements are present to support and create a positive experience for cancer patients and their families.

Other amenities that will be offered include:

•    Physicians, nurse navigators, social workers and financial counselors will provide support and coordination to the patients during each visit
•    Discharge processes, appointment scheduling, testing and any other follow up will be scheduled and explained by patient service coordinators in the exam room before the patient and family leave. Plans of care are important to patients and staff will make sure they are understandable and well organized.
•    Newly created "on stage/off stage" clinical design supporting patient privacy and staff confidentiality...staff work in the center of the building, not visible to patients receiving treatment.
•    All physicians and all staff have received additional training regarding self-care and positive interpersonal interactions with one another.
• The simple belief is that Happy Staff will support Happy Patients.

You can read more about the Cancer Institute on the FRHS website.
 

Downtown Hotel at Carroll Creek Moves Forward

Last week, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, The City of Frederick and Randall Family LLC jointly took the next step required to build the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center at Carroll Creek and a related new public parking structure at 200 E. Patrick Street.  The three parties involved filed the application with the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. This is the first step in the review and approval process. The Maryland Historical Trust will also review the plans.

Patrick Street View with Trolley Building

The Smart-Growth-inspired infill development project is designed to be harmonious with and complement the entire Historic District in scale, architecture and function. It will address parking as well as traffic flow to and through the area by adding access points on East Patrick Street with a connection from South Carroll Street. Plamondon Hospitality Partners will build, own, and operate the hotel and meeting space at their own cost. The City is solely partnering on the project to purchase the development site and build a new public parking garage below the hotel/meeting space, along with related utilities, etc.

Carroll Creek View

As a key part of the Project, Plamondon Hospitality Partners plans to restore the historic Frederick trolley station building, which was used most recently as offices of The Frederick News-Post. Randall Family LLC owns the property, which is under contract to be sold as part of this project. The application includes a request to remove the non-historic press room that was added to the trolley station building in the 1960s.

Patrick Street Entry

The applicants are also requesting to demolish an existing vacant building at the rear of the property which replaced a structure that was one of many making up an operating tannery until the 1920s. A fire in 1909 destroyed all but a small portion of the structure. The building that replaced it later became a sales office for tanned products, and in the late 40s and early 50s, it became a poultry business, slaughter and packaging site. The existing building has been reconfigured since the 1950s and suffered another fire. Most recently, it was used for residential/storage until its current vacancy in 2009.

Hotel Entry from Carroll Street

For more information and updates about the project, including the applications, visit the hotel website. You can read the full press release here.

Golden Mile Business Facades Shine a Little Brighter

In collaboration with The City of Frederick, Golden Mile Alliance, and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), three businesses along the Golden Mile received facade improvement grants to enhance the image and improve the economic vitality of the corridor.

The City of Frederick received $100,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to support an expanded facade improvement program along the Patrick Street corridor.  The corridor encompasses businesses within the Golden Mile, Downtown Frederick, and East Frederick.

The Golden Mile Alliance Design Committee approved facade improvement grants for Casa Rico, Petersen's Carpet & Flooring and Vista Shops at Golden Mile. 

The facade improvement program will continue in 2016 as The City of Frederick was recently awarded funding for FY2016 by DHCD.  Additional communication, including a call for applications will be provided once funding is made available.

For additional information on the Golden Mile facade improvement program, visit the Golden Mile Alliance website.

Casa Rico

Before                 After  
Repair included a new sign, fresh paint for exterior including the roof and gutter replacement.

Petersen's Carpet

Before             After
Improvements included new stairs and railings, lighting, planter boxes, window casings and a vestibule entrance.

Vista Shops

 Before             After
Improvements included fresh paint,graffiti removal, and new paint color.

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. 

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.

5 Benefits of Eliminating the Business Personal Property Tax

City of Frederick Passes Legislation to Eliminate Business Personal Property Tax

UPDATE: The Mayor and Board of Aldermen voted on Thursday, April 16, 2015 to eliminate Business Personal Property Tax with an immediate exemption for new manufacturing investment and a phase-out approach for all businesses over a 10-year period. 

First, A Little History

Personal property tax dates to Colonial America and was levied on individuals. Imagine a tax assessor showing up at your home annually to review your personal belongings such as rings and jewelry, furniture, household goods, paintings, and silverware. These items are known as tangible personal property. According to the Tax Foundation, "tangible personal property (TPP) is property that can be touched and moved, such as equipment, furniture, and other possessions." 

Today, no tax collector rummages through our homes to assess the value of our possessions for tax collection purposes. However, in many areas, this tax is assessed on businesses. 

"Because most states have exempted personal property used for personal reasons, most citizens are not aware that the tax on personal property exists. TPP tax is invisible to most individuals, although it is a significant expense for businesses," states a report issued by the Tax Foundation. 

Taxing businesses on personal property has remained in many jurisdictions, including the City of Frederick, but a proposed change is under way. 

What is the Current Situation of This Tax in The City of Frederick?

Frederick County as a whole does not have a Business Personal Property Tax, but municipalities can assess this tax.  The City of Frederick currently is one of the jurisdictions within Frederick County that does. Only a handful of companies pay the majority of this tax. 

What is Being Proposed? 

The City's Economic Development Advisory Council (EDAC) has recommended a fiscally sound phase-out of this tax, and City officials agree. According to the Tax Foundation, the elimination of business personal property tax improves the business competitiveness of a jurisdiction and encourages reinvestment in a business.  

"The types of businesses that are hardest hit by this tax are also the same businesses that provide family-supporting jobs in Frederick," said Bobby Baumler, Economic Development Manager for The City of Frederick. "We want to attract and retain these companies and their jobs in our community."

The proposed ordinance would:

1. Exempt manufacturers (as a business category) from paying business personal property tax on NEW investments.  The tax credit only applies to manufacturers that are expanding or locating to the City. All business personal property, including items such as computers, printers, shelving, etc., would be eligible for the tax credit.
     
2. Implement a 10-year phase out of all business personal property tax. This includes both manufacturing personal property (currently 77.5% exempt) and non-manufacturing personal property (currently 62.5% exempt).  This portion will be achieved by gradually raising each exemption percentage until at the end of year 10 (and moving forward), the exemption percentage is 100%. The proposed ordinance does not exempt utilities or railroads.

According to the Tax Foundation, "Localities that choose to exempt the TPP base, even in part, have an advantage over neighbors with regard to the location of business personal property due to their lower tax costs." With a phase-out approach over 10 years, the increased real property, new investment, and new development generated is expected to replace the revenue stream that this tax historically provided the City. 

"Businesses can choose to locate, relocate, or expand in a number of jurisdictions in the region," said Bobby Baumler, Economic Development Manager for The City of Frederick. "There are many reasons to choose Frederick, and eliminating this tax gives them one more." 

5 Benefits of Eliminating the Business Personal Property Tax

1. It levels the playing field. Elimination of the tax places The City of Frederick on a level playing field with Frederick County and regional jurisdictions with lower overall business costs. 
2. It encourages investment and reinvestment. Businesses won't be penalized for reinvesting in aging infrastructure such as manufacturing equipment.
3. It gives Frederick a regional competitive advantage. Many nearby jurisdictions still assess this tax on businesses. This change allows both the City and County to market this advantage to businesses looking to locate or expand in the Frederick 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 plan to eliminate this tax doesn't just assist large corporations. It also assists small, locally-owned restaurants, retailers, and business owners that have invested in equipment, shelving, and fixtures. 

For more information about business in Frederick, visit www.businessinfrederick.com. 

Originally posted April 15, 2015 by Michelle Kershner

This Week on Carroll Creek: March 18, 2015

The snow is melting, revealing the progress on Carroll Creek Park.  With warmer weather ahead, work will continue to build the shared use paths and Phase II improvements. These images show recent work and progress along the creek.  

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. 

City of Frederick Day 2015 Showcases Frederick Projects

View all photos from this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis: http://bit.ly/cofpics. 

Thursday, March 12, 2015 marked City of Frederick Day in Annapolis. Each year, the City of Frederick and its partners update legislators and state leaders on City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway. 

"This provides a unique opportunity for Frederick to really showcase our community and the projects that are moving Frederick forward," said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick. The Department of Economic Development coordinates with the Mayor's office and city departments each year to plan the event.

The attendance for 2015 was strong, with representation from state delegates, senators, legislative aides, and cabinet secretaries. This year, the event had a visit from Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6), who was in Annapolis that day. He addressed the group and emphasized the importance of the proposed new hotel and conference center in Downtown Frederick.
  

Projects highlighted at City of Frederick Day 2015 included the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center / Parking Deck 6, Weinberg Center for the Arts HVAC Replacement, Frederick Municipal Airport expansion, Monocacy Boulevard/US 15 Interchange, Culler Lake Renaissance in Baker Park, Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades, and Carroll Creek Park Phase II. To learn more about these projects, visit http://bit.ly/cofday2015. 

This event was made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Council of Frederick County, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Fort Detrick Alliance, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, The Golden Mile Alliance, Tech Frederick, and Downtown Frederick Partnership.  

Gift bags were provided to elected officials thanks to support from McCutcheon's and The Perfect Truffle. 

View the photo album with photo highlights from this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis: http://bit.ly/cofpics. 

Thank you to our 2015 City of Frederick Day Sponsors

City of Frederick Day in Annapolis Highlights Priority Projects

Thursday, March 12, 2015 is City of Frederick Day in Annapolis. Each year, the City of Frederick updates legislators and state leaders on select City projects and reports on the key infrastructure and growth projects underway.

Below are the projects that will be highlighted at this year's City of Frederick Day in Annapolis.

Together We Can Grow Frederick’s Future

Building a Stronger and Safer Maryland

Downtown Hotel and Conference Center / Parking Deck 6

The City of Frederick is partnering with a hotel developer, selected through a competitive RFP process, to construct a privately owned and operated $64M full-service hotel and conference center in Downtown Frederick. The public on-site improvements, including public parking, will cost approximately $20M. This is the top priority of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s Major Employers Group, and projected to offer many benefits, including:

• 207 rooms with 24,000 square feet of meeting space
• Public Parking Garages: 750 spaces (100 on-site/650 off-site)
• 280 total jobs
• $1.5M annually in State taxes
• $25.8M in direct, indirect, and induced spending

Weinberg Center for the Arts HVAC Replacement

HB0364/SB0024

The Weinberg Center for the Arts is a 1,100 seat historic performing arts theater that generates 70,000 patrons and $7M in economic impact annually. The facility is in need of a HVAC replacement to continue providing programming throughout the year. After analysis by a HVAC engineering company, full replacement was recommended. The new system will provide:

• Operational and maintenance savings in the future
• Control of separate areas of the theater
• Efficient and environmentally-friendly design
      

Frederick Municipal Airport

Increasing Airport Safety and Capacity

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is the second busiest airport in Maryland and well positioned to become the preferred executive airport in the region. It is seeking funding to support Phase I of a multi-year project to improve airport safety and capacity. 

This phase will include:

• Design and demolition of aviation obstructions along Bailes Lane, etc.
• Washington gas line relocation
• The project will ultimately result in added capacity with corporate hangar space and extend the runway.

Monocacy Boulevard/US15 Interchange Improves Safety and Relieves Congestion

The #1 Infrastructure Priority for Frederick City and County for over 5 years

The Monocacy Boulevard and US15 Interchange will provide a full-diamond interchange, improving safety by eliminating at-grade intersections on US15. Design is complete, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2015.  The project provides:

• Congestion relief from pass through traffic, local development, and Fort Detrick growth
• Hiking and biking tails, sidewalks, on-street bike lanes, lighting, landscaping, and pedestrian accommodations
• Park and Ride with 390 spaces connects to future Rails With Trails
• This improvement complements other road improvements, such as Monocacy Boulevard Center Section Phase II, which will add 14,000 linear feet of a 4-lane roadway, alleviate congestion, create safe routes for emergency access during flood events, and add hiking/biking trails, sidewalks, and trees

Culler Lake Renaissance in Baker Park

Restoring water quality and aesthetic character

Culler Lake, in the heart of Baker Park, was established 90 years ago. Today, the park is in need of restoration to improve water quality and the aesthetic character of the lake. In partnership with Friends of Baker Park, a two-phased plan is in place to address the restoration. The project will:

• Dredge and restore Culler Lake (Phase I)
• Install wetlands and stormwater infrastructure to treat approximately 60 acres of untreated impervious area (Phase I)
• Add new shared use paths and fountains (Phase I)
• Add a pavilion and overlook, additional paths, benches, signage, pedestrian crossing and entrance features, and skate house improvements (Phase II)

  

Cleaner Water Starts Here: Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades

Phase II Brings Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade

Phase I Upgrades— Complete

Frederick is in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and our waterways impact the bay’s health and local sustainability. Phase I upgrades to the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) have:

• Improved solids digestion component of the plant
• Enabled the harvesting of methane gas while virtually eliminating reliance on landfill for waste sludge
• Reduced the city’s energy costs through co-generating electricity

Phase II Upgrades—In Progress

Phase II of the project brings an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) upgrade to the system. Already designed, construction is expected to start in March 2015 with completion in December 2016. These upgrades:

• Bring the waste water treatment plant into compliance with recent EPA mandates for ENR
• Will reduce nitrogen and phosphorus discharges to the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries

Carroll Creek Park Phase II Completion on Target for Fall 2015

A thriving world-class, mixed use urban park in Downtown Frederick

This public-private partnership has spanned six administrations. Carroll Creek Park, as a  flood control project, effectively removed Downtown Frederick from the 100-year

floodplain and restored economic vitality to the historic commercial district.

Today, more than $100 million in private investment is underway or planned in new construction, infill development, or historic renovation along the park. Phase II provides:

• Extended park improvements totaling $15.7M in construction
• 1 mile of new and widened multi-use paths
• Landscape planters, lighting & water features
• Crosswalk improvements
• 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