The City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development is here to help make doing business in The City of Frederick as easy as possible.
A Conversation with Becky Kaler, Business Development Specialist.
Give us your best elevator pitch for your department.
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an established business or a business considering a relocation to The City, our team can help connect you with local business resources, real estate opportunities, licensing & permits processes, promotional tools, incentive programs, community connections, and more!
How (and why) was the Department of Economic Development created for the City?
The City’s Department of Economic Development was created to increase economic opportunity for Frederick—strategically supporting and promoting a community where businesses & residents can thrive.
Our team is focused on this mission every single day – by fostering new business creation through entrepreneurship and small business start-up support; retaining and growing our existing businesses; and recruiting new companies to Frederick.
We work to encourage and support strategic revitalization & reinvestment in areas such as Downtown Frederick, East Frederick and the Golden Mile. We advocate for infrastructure investments to support private-sector investment (including Frederick Municipal Airport, parking; the Downtown Hotel Project, and more). And we serve as the voice of business in City Hall.
What do you like most about being a department that serves Frederick City?
The people! Although today it is the second largest City in the State of Maryland, Frederick hasn’t lost its small-town charm. Our business community is friendly and welcoming. We love seeing the support that fellow business owners provide to each other and the amazing collaborations they engage in!
There are a lot of free resources that businesses can take advantage of in this community – whether it’s business planning assistance, a grant for building improvements, market data, City development plan details … you name it!
We want people to know that they can reach out at any time to learn which tools might be relevant to their business’ needs and how they can get connected.
What makes the City of Frederick unique?
The City of Frederick is a “best of both worlds” kind of place that has a little bit of everything for everyone. The blend of old and new; urban & rural; arts and science has created a most unique economic environment. It’s a place of rich historic character balanced with an eye towards the future. It’s a vibrant City with a hometown vibe. It’s a neat place to do business!
What does the Department of Economic Development do best?
The Department of Economic Development is a go-to source for local business information. Our website features a wealth of information and resources that can help your business grow. We also share stories of openings & expansions, planned developments, infrastructure projects, business resources, industry advancements, and other news on our social media feeds, blog, and monthly newsletter.
For more personalized information — we’re only one phone call away and always willing to visit!
What exciting events do you have coming up that you’d like the Chamber membership to know about?
We are very excited to once again be hosting the Chamber’s December Business Card Exchange at City Hall. City Hall will be fully decorated for the holiday season. Local vendors will be serving up delicious hors d’oeuvres. Our economic development partners will be competing in a friendly art competition for a good cause. And the guest list is sure to provide good conversation and company! — It’s a can’t miss event!
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.