One of DUO’s offices has been based in Frederick, MD since 2015 and while we love it here, it’s a city that still gets written off far too frequently. It’s not too surprising, given that it’s just beyond a stone’s throw from two major metropoles in the area (Baltimore and Washington, DC). After attending a local Frederick Chamber of Commerce Event titled, Frederick County: A Great Place To Do Business!, we wanted to share some facts and stats about the area, and why the title is entirely accurate.
Frederick ranks #24 in 2017’s 100 Best Places to Live
- Visitor Spending reported at $1 million/day in 2016
- Significant cultural hub: growing Craft Beverage Industry; wine, beer, distilleries, artisan coffee shops, historic downtown churches, and education options including Hood College and Mount St. Mary’s University
- The city’s top employer is the U.S. Army’s Fort Detrick installation with 10,000 employees
Increased Employment
- As of December 2017, Frederick’s Unemployment rate was reported at less than 4% with 101,000+ jobs
- Private sector jobs: 85,303
- Jobs increased 6% between 2013 – 2017 and that job growth clocks in as greater than Baltimore and DC
- Workforce Services at FCC’s Monroe Center; this is one of only two counties in Maryland with off-site WF services
Frederick added 3,142 Millennials to population in 2017
- This exceeds DC’s numbers and “Millennial workers are increasingly recognized as eager, ambitious, and genuinely talented.” *
- “Millennials are poised to reshape the economy…the ways we buy and sell, forcing companies to examine how they do business for decades to come.” *
- “Their affinity for technology helps shape how they shop. They are used to instant access to price comparisons, product information and peer reviews.” *
Energized by Innovation
- Inventor patents awards outpaced MC and US since 2012
- 3 AAA Bond Ratings
- AstraZeneca – largest facility in America (700+) in Frederick
- Advocate for “Bus Rapid Transit” (DUO has produced work for BRT in Montgomery County!)
E Commerce Growth
- Big Box Stores need to adjust and Frederick County is trying to stay ahead of that; actively anticipate change, rather than stay reactive
All in all, Frederick County is, indeed, a thriving location for businesses of all kinds. We’re certainly happy to be here.
References and Further Reading:
* Livability – 2017 Top 100 Best Places to Live
* Goldman Sachs – Our Thinking: Millennials
* Forbes – Perspectives on Millennials
* Inc – 9 Powerful Tips for Communicating Better With Millennials
Photo source: Unsplash
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