Networking for Small Business

Small businesses often depend on each other (b2b) networking and referrals for growth.   Frederick has a gem in RelyLocal, a locally owned Community Business Campaign which has the purpose to help strengthen small business owners and the local economy. Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development recently attended a Frederick RelyLocal networking event at the Cellar Door to connect with small Frederick based businesses.  Griffin offered that “Frederick has great resources for the small business owner – the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center as well as RelyLocal.”  Learn more about Frederick RelyLocal by checking out its website.

FORT DETRICK ALLIANCE TECH SHOWCASE EVENT AT FITCI A SUCCESS !

Technology was hot at last night’s Fort Detrick Alliance Annual Tech Showcase Event at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI).  Nearly 100 attendees representing business, Fort Detrick, and community leadership were in attendance at the premier technology event of the year.  Attendees were treated to tours of FITCI and opportunities to hear from current FITCI clients companies and successful graduate businesses like WGS Systems, Akonni Biosystems, Biaera Technologies, Imagillin Technologies and the National Cancer Institute’s Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratories.

The Fort Detrick Alliance President Dr. Jim Romano officiated the event and provided insight into the importance of Fort Detrick in the nation, region, and community as well as the impact of technology transfer into and out of the federal laboratories at Detrick and the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research.  Also recognized were the event sponsors – FITCI (Mike Dailey), TEDCO (Ron Kaese), and FDBDO (Steve Lamberson).  These sponsors provided critical in-kind and/or financial support for the event and each spoke for a few minutes about services provided by their organizations.  Special thanks to them since this event would not have been possible without their support.

Additionally special thanks goes to Kelly Miletich of the Fort Detrick Alliance who handled event logistics, Sherry Murray and Renee Wilson of FITCI who handled tours, client presentations, and registration, and Donna Goff of the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development who handled podium and PA system logistics.

Community leaders in attendance included Mayor Randy McClement, Alderwomen Kelly Russell and Karen Young, Fort Detrick Deputy Garrison Commander Eileen Mitchell and Helen Riddle, Acting Director of the Frederick County Business Development and Retention Division (BDRD). and Richard Griffin, Director Economic Development for the City of Frederick.

City of Frederick Awarded Community Legacy FY12 Funding

The City of Frederick was recently awarded $150,000 in grants through the State of Maryland’s Community Legacy program. The grant, spearheaded by the Department of Economic Development, will fund two major projects in the City of Frederick. DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit www.businessinfrederick.com or call at 301-600-6360.
The Carroll Creek Park project received $100,000 in Community Legacy funds, to be used towards the section of the Park between Carroll and East Patrick Streets. The City will issue a Request for Proposals for construction of this remaining section of the Park this summer. Construction is slated to begin in early 2013.
The Downtown Frederick Façade Improvement Program, administered by the Downtown Frederick Partnership, received $50,000 in Community Legacy funds. The Façade Improvement Program helps businesses and property owners make improvements to their store fronts and building facades. To date, the program has provided $129,000 in matching funds to support façade improvements downtown Frederick. Painting, awnings, lighting and signage are some of the improvements that are reimbursable.
The Community Legacy program is administered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The purpose of the program is to preserve existing communities as desirable places to live and conduct business and provide financial assistance to sponsors or designees for the development of Community Legacy projects.

The Cherry Blossom Tree Tour Celebration Comes to Baker Park

On Sunday April 15^th the “Cherry Blossom Tree Tour Celebration” will commemorate the Cherry Blossom Tree’s 100^th Anniversary in the United States. The celebration will take place from 12noon-2pm in Baker Park at the bandshell.  The event will feature a ceremonial tree planting, ribbon cutting, a live performance by the award-winning Yamakiya Taiko Club from Fukushima, Japan and much more.

The Baker Park Cherry Blossom Tree Planting and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held in historic downtown Frederick- Baker Park at 12:30pm-1:00pm near the Gazebo and Band Shell. The tree planting will be followed by the taiko drum performance in the bandshell.

The Yamakiya Taiko Club includes 13 students, ages 12-20, from the Yamakiya District of Kawamata Town in Fukushima Prefecture. In May 2011 they had to leave their homes in Yamakiya because of the high levels of radiation emanating from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. Despite these circumstances, the Yamakiya Taiko Club, which has won first prize in a number of national competitions, has stayed together. The students continue to practice taiko drumming at a school in Kawamata Town.

In addition to the Baker Park performance on April 15^th, the Yamakiya Taiko Club will also appear in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC and perform at the Kennedy Center on April 16^th.

This Frederick event is coordinated by Cathy Allen, The Green Ambassador and supported in party by The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, City of Frederick Parks & Recreation, Frederick County Office of Sustainability, Frederick County Tourism Council, Friends of Baker Park, and the Certified Tourism Ambassador’s Network.

Please visit http://www.thegreenambassador.org/ for more information about The Green Ambassador’s Cherry Blossom Tree Tour Celebration Stops. 

 Cathy Allen, The Green Ambassador is a certified green-tourism ambassador, green real estate agent, green expert, award-winning environmentalist, social advocate, and Environmental and Green Technology Lobbyist for Maryland.  Her mission is to stimulate the urban community environmentally and socially. To be a part of this and other Green Ambassador campaigns please email callen@thegreenambassador.org or call 410.916.7043.

DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit www.businessinfrederick.com or call at 301-600-6360.

Golden Mile Alliance Seeks New Resident Board Member

Frederick, MD – The Golden Mile Alliance seeks a resident of the Golden Mile to fill a current vacancy on the Board of Directors. The vacant position must be filled by a resident of the Golden Mile area, which includes neighborhoods located between Butterfly Lane on the south, Shookstown Road on the north, US-15 on the east and Mt Philip Road to the west.

All interested residents should submit a letter of interest to:

The City of Frederick Dept of Economic Development

c/o The Golden Mile Alliance

101 North Court Street

Frederick, MD 21701

The deadline to apply is Friday March 9, 2012. Letters of interest must include the nominee’s full name, home address, phone number and why the person is interested in serving on the GMA Board of Directors. An email address is requested but not required.

The Alliance, which is being incorporated in the State of Maryland and applying for 501(c)3 designation, has formed four committees to support the goals and priorities of the organization. The committees are Business Development, Design, Organization and Promotions. Service on these committees is open to the community, and the Alliance encourages interested residents, businesses and property owners to get involved by volunteering to serve on a committee.

The Golden Mile Alliance meets on the 3^rd Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30pm at the Hillcrest Community Center, and meetings are open to the public. For more information on the Alliance, contact the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360.

DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit http://www.businessinfrederick.com/ or call at 301-600-6360.

 

My Bank First United Bank & Trust Makes Donation to the Golden Mile Alliance

Frederick, MD – The Golden Mile Alliance received its first donation from the local business community this month. My Bank First United Bank & Trust, located on Baughman’s Lane along the Golden Mile, became the first private investor in the Golden Mile Alliance with a $500 check presented at the Alliance Board meeting.

“My Bank is delighted to support the community-minded volunteers that have come together to form the Golden Mile Alliance,” stated Dave Esworthy, Market President for My Bank First United Bank & Trust. “We hope this seed money will spur involvement by others to help this corridor become a more vibrant and attractive center for business as well as social interests like the arts, education, and healthy living.”

Mr. Esworthy attended the January Board meeting and presented the check to Diana Halleman, President of the Alliance Board, Alderman Carol Krimm, Aldermanic Liaison to the Alliance Board, and Denise Phelps, Community Office Manager at My Bank and an Alliance Board member.

“When My Bank First United came to Baughmans Lane, we wanted to be part of the exciting and diverse group of residents and businesses around the Golden Mile,” said Ms. Phelps. “Our financial and human investment in the Golden Mile Alliance will contribute to the continued development of this vibrant community, returning the Golden Mile to a top destination in Frederick County.”

In addition to the donation from My Bank, Mayor McClement committed up to $5,000 in seed funding from the City of Frederick. This money will be used for start-up costs such as incorporation and 501(c)3 application fees, creation of a website for the Alliance, and other administrative costs. NAC 8 also donated envelopes and postage in support of the Alliance.

“The Golden Mile Alliance is a great example of a public-private partnership,” said Mayor McClement. “Great things can be accomplished when neighborhoods partner with local government and take ownership in creating the change they want to see in their communities.”

The Golden Mile Alliance meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30pm at the Hillcrest Community Center, and meetings are open to the public. For more information on the Alliance, contact the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360.

DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit www.businessinfrederick.com or call at 301-600-6360.

Golden Mile Alliance Elects Officers, Seeks Members for Committees

Frederick, MD – The Golden Mile Alliance elected officers for the organization at the monthly committee meeting on January 17^th. Elected as the first slate of officers for the Alliance were:

President - Diana Halleman, Resident

Vice President – Maribeth Visco, Kline Scott Visco

Treasurer – Denise Phelps, My Bank 1^st United Bank

Secretary – Justin Kiska, Way off Broadway Dinner Theater

"To be the first elected president of the Golden Mile Alliance and to have the opportunity to be part of helping to revitalize the area is truly a dream come true for me, “stated Mrs. Halleman. “Even better is that I am supported by an amazing team of committed and determined individuals who have the same vision and goals.  I believe that we can make a difference for our community and that we can have a positive impact on the city as a whole.”

The Alliance, which is being incorporated in the State of Maryland and applying for 501(c)3 designation, has formed four committees to support the goals and priorities of the organization. The committees are Business Development, Design, Organization and Promotions. Service on these committees is open to the community, and the Alliance encourages interested residents, businesses and property owners to get involved by volunteering to serve on a committee.

The Golden Mile Alliance meets on the 3^rd Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30pm at the Hillcrest Community Center, and meetings are open to the public. For more information on the Alliance, contact the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development at 301-600-6360.

DED is a full-service economic development department of the City of Frederick with the mission to create economic opportunity in the City through job creation, revitalization and reinvestment. To learn more visit www.businessinfrederick.com or call at 301-600-6360.