Leadership Frederick County Class of 2024-25 spent a full day learning about Economic Development that included site tours, presentations and panel discussions. LFC is a nine-month leadership program that introduces participants to Frederick County’s history, agriculture, economic development, public safety, education, government, and health and human services. The program also includes graduate-level leadership master classes taught by experts from Hood College.
LFC Economic Development Day Agenda:
LFC Class of 2025 began the day at Hood College with a case study presented that illustrated the collaborative nature of economic development and how the community benefits from these joint initiatives. Mary Ford-Naill, Manager of Economic Development for the City of Frederick and Jodie Bollinger, Director, Frederick County Office of Economic Development provided an overview of the city and county including insight about key industry sectors in Frederick. They highlighted how the local economic development teams work together to provide site selection assistance, start-up business services, resources and incentive programs, workforce training programs and community connections.
Economic Development is a deliberate set of programs, policies or activities intended to improve the economic well-being and quality of life by creating and/or retaining jobs that facilitate growth and provide a stable tax base over time. In Maryland, for every dollar invested in Economic Development, the return on investment is $9.17 (Source: Maryland Economic Development Association.) Economic developers seek to create/retain permanent high wage jobs, stimulate, private sector investment, grow the non-residential tax base and help governments plan for the future. This occurs through business attraction, business retention & expansion, small business development & entrepreneurial support, neighborhood development and workforce development.
The packed agenda included discussions about two key hotel projects in Frederick – both of which will have significant economic impact in the community. The class was treated to a site tour of Visitation Hotel Frederick – an amazing example of adaptive reuse converting a former all girls school and convent into a hip and historic hotel, restaurant and ballroom. Developer James O’Hare, CEO, O2 Holdings, shared insights about the project, including how the hotel overcame a fire that caused significant project delays. The hotel is slated to open for its first guests in December and several weddings are already booked for next year. Celebrity Chef Bryan Voltaggio will soon open Wye Tavern Restaurant in the repurposed former chapel which will be open to guests and the public. Peter Plamondon Jr., co-President, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, provided an overview of the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center that will be coming soon to Carroll Creek. The hotel will include approximately 200 rooms, a 21,000 square foot conference center, rooftop bar and three restaurants. Groundbreaking will be happening soon! Stay tuned!
Next stop, LFC learned about Kroger’s Fulfillment Center and how economic development partners and government were able to work collaboratively to win the project for Frederick. Kroger partnered with the Ocado Group, the world’s largest online grocery retailer using high tech, digital and robotic equipment taking home delivery to a new level for grocers such as Harris Teeter & Kroger. With 700,000 square feet and 400 employees, this Kroger facility is one of the largest warehouse distribution facilities in the county.
Speaking of economic drivers, the class stopped at Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) to learn about this important asset for the region from Airport Manager Andrew Moore. This full-service general aviation airport will see the expansion of additional hangar space coming soon. Don’t forget to check out family, fun events at the airport such as Santa’s visit on December 8th and the Festival of Flight next September.
The class then toured Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.’s new incubator/accelerator program with presentations by CEO Kathie Callahan Brady and two current FITCI clients, CarrTech and NanoBioFAB. FITCI provides entrepreneurs, particularly in life sciences and technology, with the tools necessary to create a solid business foundation. FITCI provides advisory members to provide mentorship and guidance as well as insight about raising capital for ventures. Many FITCI program graduates have been able to effectively scale their organizations and its product offerings for a national/international market.
Steinhardt Brewing, a craft beverage company was the final stop of the day. The LFC class learned about the collaborative and supportive nature of the craft beverage industry in Frederick. While on-site, LFC class participants were treated to an informative panel discussion highlighting key initiatives in workforce development from both a corporate and non-profit vantage. The panel included participants from Frederick County Workforce Services, Justice Jobs, Canam Steel and Phoenix Mecano.
Leadership training and development is important for organizations and for an individual’s career development. Learn more about Leadership Frederick County here.
Need economic development resources for your company? Reach out to our economic development team by calling 301.600.6360 or scheduling a meeting today.