Top Economic Development News
It has been a big year for Economic Development in Frederick County. While we take a look back, we also want to provide a sneak peek of the year ahead.
 
The grants team has been hard at work. Since March 2020, more than $16M has been awarded to businesses in COVID-19 relief funds. This year marked the first Agricultural Innovation Grants, which awarded $504,000 to 24 businesses to help diversify their operations and create value added products. 
 
The 2020 Census listed Frederick County as the fastest growing in Maryland and it isn’t hard to see why. OED attended more than 50 ribbon cuttings, grand openings and business anniversaries. During Business Appreciation Week, OED celebrated 102 businesses that started, expanded or located to Frederick County during the pandemic. With $88 million in capital investment, these businesses added 1,094 jobs to the community. We celebrated Quantum Loophole’s purchase of the former Alcoa Eastalco site, Kite opened their doors (150 jobs, and is expecting to add an additional 250 jobs), Tonix had its ribbon cutting (18 jobs) and we welcomed Ellume to the County (1,400 jobs). In addition to celebrating all of the new businesses and expansions in Frederick County, we continued to spotlight our Top 50x2 legacy businesses. These 100 legacy businesses have been serving the community for 20+ years. The success of these businesses is a testament to the collaborative partnerships, services and support our community gives as a whole. 
 
In 2022 OED is completing a branding process and we look forward to sharing the OED brand with our community. This will achieve a milestone objective of the Growth Opportunity Strategy to enhance Frederick County’s recognition and stature in regional and national markets. We also look forward to highlighting Frederick County’s Top 50 Under 40. These young professionals will be featured in a standalone publication in partnership with Frederick Magazine. Stay tuned for the launching of our new manufacturing website MadeinFrederickMD.com, EmPOWER’s new Employer Resource File, the Bio Roundtable, the return of FRED Awards, and more.
 
Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays and a prosperous New Year!
Helen Propheter, Executive Director of Economic and Workforce Development
Frederick County Office of Economic Development
COVID-19 Impact Award

Ellume won this award that honors those life science & biohealth technology companies who have responded to this crisis and developed a product, project, or service this year that has made the greatest impact on easing the effects of COVID-19.
Workforce Champion of the Year

Kite, A Gilead Company, won this award that recognizes the program or organization that has made a measurable contribution to enhancing the biotech workforce within the region.



Zalgen Relocates Headquarters to Life Sciences Epicenter in Frederick, Maryland
Zalgen Labs LLC recently announced the relocation of its headquarters to Frederick, Maryland.
Top Young Agricultural Professionals
Do you know a young professional in the Ag industry who deserves to be recognized? Use the link below to nominate them for Frederick County's Top Young Agricultural Professionals list!
Peace Wins Big
All participants of BAW were entered into a drawing to receive a $5,000 marketing package from Manning Media, and the big winner was Peace.

Founders Jordan and Quron Lewis came up with the idea for their shop during the pandemic. With dreams of “new century hippie vibes,” they found the perfect space in downtown Frederick.

Going Against the Grain
We chat with Monica Pearce of Tenth Ward Distilling Company to find out how this woman-owned business is shaking up things in the craft beverage industry.
Coworking in Frederick County
Sharing space, equipment, ideas and knowledge: that is the general idea behind coworking. Frederick County is home to a number of shared office spaces.
BAW 2021: By the Numbers
By now you have heard that we virtually visited 100+ businesses in October for Business Appreciation Week. Let's take a closer look at who those businesses are and how they help drive Frederick County's economy.
2021 Highlights: A Look Back at OED's Year
2021 was another busy one for OED! Check out our highlights from the past year.

Top 10 Blogs of 2021
These were the most read and most talked about blogs of the year.  Revisit the top stories that made 2021 an exceptional year for economic development.