Frederick County is just far enough from the Baltimore/Washington metropolis to enjoy the perfect balance between lively commerce and pastoral tranquility. Our mission is to increase the overall economic health of Frederick County through attracting new businesses in our targeted industries and helping existing businesses be more successful.

Helen Propheter is manager of the Frederick County, MD  Business Development and Retention Division, an arm of the county government. This Division plays a wide-ranging role working with both existing businesses and companies that may be seeking to expand or move to a new location.

Our host in this week’s podcast is Bruce Levine who discusses with Helen her role, the role of the Division, and the profile and assets of Frederick County, a rather uniquely situated region.

The discussion covers Frederick County’s ability to offer prime business assets while maintaining a low-key, high quality of life; it is on the edge of the Washington DC and Baltimore metro areas, and delivers many benefits as result of that, but is somewhat less fast-paced while offering many of the amenities associated with more densely-populated places.

Helen paints a picture of a location that has enormous transportation assets—great interstate access, proximity to three major airports, rail connections, a trucking center, and quick access to the Port of Baltimore.

Thanks in part to the presence of the US. Military’s Ft. Detrick, as Helen explains, with its cutting edge work in life sciences, a significant life sciences/biotech cluster has grown in Frederick County, with international ties that should only see expansion in coming years.

Another sector that Bruce and Helen discuss is the manufacturing one, which cuts across verticals.

Helen also discusses how she and her colleagues are able to provide a hands-on approach to economic development that really places the interests of the local economy and its businesses first, but also recognizes the value of growing the regional economy as well.

The interview paints a picture of a location that is perhaps not as well known as it should be, although the efforts of Helen and her colleagues are getting it the exposure it deserves.

Frederick County is the home of  Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI) a business incubator serving the county. FITCI offers local entrepreneurs facilities, services, and an environment in which they can prosper. The facilities offer a supportive environment for Information Technology and Biotechnology companies starting new businesses in Frederick County. In addition to the complete infrastructure, FITCI provides an array of entrepreneur programs including a formal mentorship program, business consulting, funding acquisition assistance and training and education.

Visit Frederick County, MD, Business Development and Retention, at: www.discoverfrederickmd.com