5 Ways to Celebrate Small Businesses This Season

Small Business Saturday isn’t the only day to Shop Small. In the City of Frederick, 95% of all businesses are small businesses, which mean they have 50 or fewer employees. Based on InfoUSA data, 88% of City businesses have fewer than 25 employees.

If you live in or around Frederick, you know shopping small is a source of pride for many, and the options are endless year-round. Here are a few ways to celebrate small businesses this holiday season and beyond:

1. Sing for Your City – Follow the Frederick County Office of Economic Development for details on how to show your Shop Small spirit by singing for your city.
    
2. Explore New Neighborhoods – Small, locally-owned businesses in Frederick are also tucked inside commercial shopping centers. Discover a new neighborhood when you shop this season. Here are a few local dining tips if you are exploring on The Golden Mile.
    
3. Find a Festive Event – Events throughout Downtown Frederick and across The City encourage visitors and residents to shop local and shop small.  From Frosty Friday to horse and carriage rides, the season is full of special holiday activities, programs, entertainment, and events. Find a holiday event.
    
4. Park Easy - Take advantage of free holiday parking in Downtown Frederick during the holiday season. On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) and Frosty Friday (Friday, November 27), free parking is available at all meters and decks.  Additionally, free parking (meters and decks) will be offered every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day from Saturday at 8:00 AM through Monday at 6:00 AM.
     
5. Share How You Shop Small - Use #ShopSmall to share how you shop small in Frederick. The photo could be you dining at a restaurant, picking up bread at a local bakery, visiting a favorite shop or business, or just getting a jump start on your shopping. 

This Week on Carroll Creek - November 12, 2015

Grading, brick work, pedestrian bridges with handicap access, and landscaping continue on the sections of Carroll Creek Park near the Union Mills Building owned by Douglas Development.

The Union Mills Building is buzzing with activity as the property is renovated to welcome its first tenant, Regent Education. They plan to move into the space early next year, taking over 26,000 feet and bringing 85 employees to the new location.

Union Mills building looking west

Union Mills building looking west

Brick work and other paving work continues near McCutcheon's and the Mill Pond, a widened section of the creek where a new fountain will be installed.

Finally, new planters have been added near the Galleria Fountain, waiting for spring and a pop of life and color!

Forecasts Predict A Happy Holiday for Retailers

'Tis the season for retailers across the country to gear up for their busiest weeks, and forecasts are pointing to a strong 2015 holiday season.

Holiday sales are essential for the success of not only Frederick area businesses, but retailers nationwide. According to the National Retail Federation, for some retailers, the holiday season can represent as much as 30% of annual sales. Overall, the National Retail Federation is predicting that 2015 holiday sales will rise 3.7%.

Shopping trends look particularly promising for local businesses this year. According Deloitte's 2015 Holiday Survey, 70% of those surveyed plan to shop locally this holiday season. The survey also indicates that 59% shop local to support the economy and 54% are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts.  

The "Buy Local, Shop Local" trend has been gaining popularity across the country, and each year it strengthens.  More consumers are seeking individuality in the products that they buy and gifts that they give.  

"Downtown Frederick, with its mix of independent shops, boutiques, and galleries, is particularly well positioned to benefit from the shop local movement," said Richard Griffin, The City of Frederick's Director of Economic Development. 

Local businesses can position themselves well for the holiday season by planning ahead and preparing. This can take many forms, such as hosting or participating in holiday events, offering holiday hours, or providing an exceptional holiday shopping experience. 

For more information on holiday retail trends, visit the National Retail Federation or view Deloitte's 2015 Holiday Survey graphic below. 

3 Programs for Veteran-Owned Businesses

ShieldCo is one of the many veteran-owned business in Frederick, Maryland. From left to right are ShieldCo employee Kenny Green and co-owners Luke and Neil Markey. Neil served in Iraq and later was assigned to the US Army Special Operations Command, with the Second Ranger Battalion, and completed two tours to Afghanistan. A portion of ShieldCo's profits are donated to The Pointe du Hoc Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports US Army Rangers and their families. 

Veteran-owned businesses and veterans thinking of starting a new business have access to unique resources. Below are three resources veteran entrepreneurs can use to help start and grow their businesses.

1. Military Personnel and Veteran-owned Small Business Loan Program (MPVSBLP)This loan program provides no interest loans from $1,000 to $50,000 for up to 8 years for military personnel and Veteran-owned small businesses. For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Commerce's website.  
    
2. VetBiz VetBiz is a program of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is the federal govenment web portal for veteran-owned businesses. The website vetbiz.gov provides resource assistance for veterans and service-disabled veterans who are considering starting or expanding a business. 
    
3. The U.S. Small Business AdministrationThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a section of its website dedicated to helping veteran-owned small businesses and veterans interested in started their own small businesses get the information they need to help start and grow their businesses. Visit the website to learn more about SBA’s resources and information.

Made in Frederick: McCutcheon’s Apple Products, Inc.

In The City of Frederick, a variety of local businesses make and manufacture their own products. From popcorn and coffee to dog treats, many small businesses are choosing Frederick as a place to make their products and to do business.

Made in Frederick is a feature that showcases these businesses and their products.

McCutcheon's Apple Products

Fresh, local apples are
the key to their popular cider.

McCutcheon's Apple Products, located right next to Carroll Creek, produces and sells all of their products from their factory in Frederick. McCutcheon's is a family-owned business that has been making their products in Frederick since 1938. The company sells a wide range of specialty fruit products, including apple cider, jelly, and butters. 

McCutcheon's currently has over 30 full time employees, some of who are third, fourth, and fifth generation members of the McCutcheon family. Our office had the opportunity to tour McCutcheon's factory and to meet with the President, Bob McCutcheon III.


Q&A With Bob McCutcheon
Bob answered a few questions about his business, products, and why he enjoys doing business here in Frederick.

How long has your company been in business?Since 1938

What are your product/products?
Apple Cider, Apple Butter Preserves, Jellies, Condiments, Hot Sauce, Teas, Olde Time Sodas and much more.

What makes your product different?Everything is home-style, just like Grandma made.

   

What do you want your customers to know about your product?
We get products that are the best tasting, highest quality, and made in Frederick.

What does Frederick offer a company like yours?

Frederick is a vibrant growing city situated in beautiful Downtown Frederick. It's a great place for us to live, work, and play.

McCutcheon's facility is powered by 546 solar panels. You can view the daily output of the solar panels at McCutcheon's website.

Apple cider production at McCutcheon's. 

If you go

McCutcheon's has a full retail shop that is open 6 days week and it offers all of the company's products. McCutcheon's products are also available to resellers. For more information and hours, visit McCutcheon's website.

For more recipes using McCutcheon's Apple Products, visit their blog.

Want to be featured on Made in Frederick?
If you or your business has a product that's made in The City of Frederick, contact us and let us know more about your business, product, and why Frederick is a great business location for you. 

This story was completed by our fall intern from Hood College, Nick Masucci. 

6 Ways to Park Easy in Frederick

The City of Frederick's Parking Department operates parking meters, municipal lots, and five parking decks throughout Downtown Frederick. Read on to learn six ways the City's Parking Department makes it convenient to Park Frederick. 

1. Free Holiday Parking - On Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) and Frosty Friday (Friday, November 27), free parking is available at all meters and decks.  Additionally, free parking (meters and decks) will be offered every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day from Saturday at 8:00 AM through Monday at 6:00 AM.
    
2. Monthly Garage Passes - The City provides monthly deck passes at a cost of $97.00 per month.  Monthly passes are a great option for businesses interested in providing parking for their employees and residents seeking covered off-street parking.  For additional information, please contact the City Parking Office at 301-600-1429
    
3. Parkmobile App - Out of quarters? Business meeting running over? With the Parkmobile App, you can add value to City parking meters from the convenience of your phone. Download the Parkmobile app to get started. Specific questions may also be addressed by the City Parking Office at 301-600-1429.
     
4. Pre-Paid Parking Meter Card - Each parking meter has a slot that can accept a pre-paid parking meter card.  Rather than carrying change in your car, individuals can purchase a pre-paid parking meter card, add a balance to it, and use it to pay at parking meters. The cards can be purchased in increments of $20, $30, $40, or $50, and there is a one-time $5 activation fee. Cards can be "rebooted" or reloaded up to 63 times after the first purchase. Pre-Paid Parking Meter Cards can be purchased at 2 South Court Street. For more information, please contact the City Parking Office at 301-600-1429. 
     
5. Pre-Paid Validation Tickets (Also Known as the "Park & Shop Program") - Hosting clients, business guests, or customers and want to pay for their parking?  The City offers pre-paid validation cards for garage parking. Validation cards are available in dollar  increments up to $7, and are great for customers, clients, and guests. If you have never used the program, plan on contacting the Parking Department at least 3-5 days before you need the tickets. Pre-Paid Validation Tickets can be purchased at 2 South Court Street. For additional information, please contact the City Parking Office at 301-600-1429.
    
6. Deck Debit Cards - Deck Debit Cards are pre-loaded and can be used in any parking deck in Frederick. Cards can be purchased with $50 of parking credit. There is a $5 activation fee when you purchase the card, and it can be reloaded in any increment. Deck Debit Cards can be purchased at 2 South Court Street. For additional information, please contact the City Parking Office at 301-600-1429. 

For more information about these programs and other parking questions, contact the City Parking Office or visit their site online. 

Broker Tour Showcases Frederick as a Most Valuable Place

Nearly 50 commercial real estate professionals attended the 2015 Commercial Realtor Bus Tour on November 5, 2015.  The sports-themed tour showcased Frederick, Maryland as the "Most Valuable Place" for locating a business and offered a glimpse at the various office and retail opportunities available in Frederick County. Commercial brokers from both the Frederick market and the Washington metropolitan area were in attendance.  

The commercial broker community serves as a vital economic development partner.  Brokers actively market Frederick as a business destination and often serve as the first point of contact in the Frederick community for prospective businesses.  In addition to highlighting available real estate spaces, the tour offered the opportunity for City and County economic development staff to highlight redevelopment opportunities and public infrastructure investments. 

City of Frederick Economic Development Director Richard Griffin highlighted several commercial corridors within the City including Downtown Frederick, Riverside Research Park, Thomas Johnson Drive, and the Golden Mile.

The day kicked off at the Frederick Visitor Center. Opening remarks were made by Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, County Director of Economic Development Helen Propheter, and Tourism Council Executive Director John Fieseler. 

The event was organized by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and sponsored by Avison Young, Matan, Jefferson Place, St. John Properties, Rockpoint Commercial, CIM, Frederick Indoor Sports Center, Frederick Land Company, and Hill Management.

Looking For a New Business Space?

The Department of Economic Development (DED) provides no cost business location services, including access to the CoStar commercial property database. Connect with DED via Facebook, Twitter, or email to expand your business location search.

Team Frederick - Economic development partners from across the county worked together to showcase Frederick as the Most Valuable Place.  Pictured above, from left to right, is Jodie Bollinger, Helen Propheter, Bobby Baumler, Michelle Kershner, John Fieseler, Richard Griffin, and Becky Bickerton.