Frederick County Office of Economic Development
The Frederick County Office of Economic Development is a county-government agency that provides free site selection, workforce recruitment, incentive navigation, and marketing services to businesses starting, locating, or expanding in Frederick County, Maryland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1748
- HeadquartersFrederick, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Frederick County Office of Economic Development does
Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) is the county-government economic development agency for Frederick County, Maryland, headquartered at 118 N Market St, Suite 200 in Frederick. The agency serves as the single point of contact for businesses starting, locating, or expanding within the county, providing site selection assistance, workforce recruitment and training support, incentive navigation, permit expediting, and marketing services at no charge to in-county companies. Its mandate spans supporting 7,100+ businesses and 107,000+ workers operating across a 660-square-mile county that generates $15.4B in annual economic output, anchored by Fort Detrick's federal life-sciences cluster, AstraZeneca, Kite/Gilead, Lonza, ThermoFisher, and a growing hyperscale data center ecosystem at the Quantum Frederick campus.
FCOED operates a portfolio of branded programs and tools. The Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI) is a business incubator with a 93% startup survival rate and $389M in cumulative member economic impact, operating from two locations including The EDGE @ 321 Ballenger Center Drive. The Made in Frederick initiative focuses on advanced manufacturing, while the EmPOWER Initiative delivers DEIB-focused programs (Loan, Mentorship, Accelerator, Networking) for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Digital tools include the Building & Site Selection Tool, SizeUp Business Analytics, the Frederick County Economic Dashboard, and the Diverse Business Directory. Marketing services include PR Frederick, a complimentary press release distribution service normally valued at $259 per release. Distribution is multi-channel: direct office consultation, self-serve web tools, partner referral networks (SBDC, Maryland Women's Business Center, SCORE, FITCI, Chamber of Commerce), and incubator space.
The agency's competitive position rests on regulatory and geographic assets it does not own commercially — Frederick County's AAA bond rating, zero business personal property tax, commercial electricity rates 55% below the Maryland average, I-270 Tech Corridor location, 44.9% bachelor's-degree attainment, and proximity to three international airports. Because FCOED is a government department rather than a revenue-generating entity, its financial sustainability is determined by Frederick County Government's appropriations rather than customer revenue. Strategic priorities reflected in 2024-2026 activity include hyperscale data center attraction (Quantum Frederick, Catellus Development partnership), large-scale biotech manufacturing retention and expansion (AstraZeneca $2B), incubator buildout (FITCI EDGE), and a countywide Economic and Workforce Strategic Growth Plan unveiled by the Division of Economic Opportunity under Director Heather Gramm.
Frederick County Office of Economic Development firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Frederick County Office of Economic Development
- Legal name
- Frederick County Office of Economic Development
- Website
- https://discoverfrederickmd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1748
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Frederick County Office of Economic Development is a county-government agency that provides free site selection, workforce recruitment, incentive navigation, and marketing services to businesses starting, locating, or expanding in Frederick County, Maryland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Frederick County Office of Economic Development industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Economic Development Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Economic Programs (9261), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement (BPAIACAE), Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK), Workforce Support Services & Case Management (Coaching, Wraparound) (EDAAAOAK)
Keywords
Where Frederick County Office of Economic Development is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frederick
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Frederick County Office of Economic Development business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free economic development services for Frederick County businesses |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Frederick County Office of Economic Development product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) is a county government agency that provides free economic development services to businesses looking to start, locate, or expand in Frederick County, Maryland. Core services include site selection assistance, workforce recruitment and training support, incentive navigation, permit expediting, marketing/PR support, and market intelligence tools. It also operates business incubation through FITCI, supports the manufacturing sector via the Made in Frederick initiative, and runs the EmPOWER Initiative for underrepresented businesses.
Product overview
The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) operates as a government economic development agency rather than a technology company. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of economic development services and programs including core business assistance (economic development services, site selection, workforce support), business incubation through FITCI, manufacturing industry support via the Made in Frederick initiative, and market intelligence tools including SizeUp Business Analytics and the Building & Site Selection Tool. Additional services include PR Frederick for press distribution, the Diverse Business Directory, the Economic Dashboard for data visualization, and the EmPOWER Initiative with its component programs (Loan, Mentorship, Networking, and Accelerator) supporting underrepresented businesses. These products are interconnected programs under the FCOED umbrella, designed to support businesses at every stage from startup through expansion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Made in Frederick: An initiative by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development to strengthen and foster the growth of Frederick County's manufacturing industry.
Products and services
- Economic Development Services Core free economic development services including site selection assistance, workforce recruitment and training support, incentives navigation, permit expediting, and marketing assistance for businesses looking to start, locate, or expand in Frederick County, Maryland.
- Frederick County Innovative Technology Center (FITCI) Business incubator supporting early-stage tech and life science startups with flexible office and lab space, equipment, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Reported to have a 93% startup survival rate and $389 million economic impact.
- Made in Frederick Manufacturing industry initiative by FCOED to strengthen and foster growth of Frederick County's manufacturing sector by providing resources, connections, and tools for businesses to succeed globally.
- SizeUp Business Analytics and Market Insights Tool Interactive business and market data tool that allows users to explore industry trends, local market conditions, consumer demographics, and competitive landscapes for specific geographic areas.
- Building & Site Selection Tool Commercial property search tool enabling businesses to find shovel-ready properties, build-to-suit options, high-tech office parks, and high-visibility retail locations throughout Frederick County.
- PR Frederick Free press release distribution service for Frederick County businesses, distributing releases via a premium newswire to reach regional, national, and international media outlets (potential reach to 30,000+ journalists; normally valued at $259 per usage).
- Frederick County Economic Dashboard Census and business data visualization showcasing key statistics on industries, workforce, demographics, and quality of life indicators to help companies evaluate expansion and investment opportunities.
- Diverse Business Directory Searchable directory of local businesses with filtering by certification categories including minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and other business designations.
- EmPOWER Initiative Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative offering the EmPOWER Loan Program, EmPOWER Mentorship Program, EmPOWER Networking, and EmPOWER Accelerator Program to support underrepresented businesses including minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and immigrant entrepreneurs.
- EmPOWER Loan Program Micro-loan program providing early access to capital and commercial credit building opportunities for Frederick County business owners who have completed EmPOWER programming.
- EmPOWER Mentorship Program Facilitated mentoring model designed to help underrepresented business owners generate ideas, identify blind spots, troubleshoot problems, and grow their networks in Frederick County. Includes a Spanish-language cohort known as Visión Empresarial.
- EmPOWER Accelerator Program Multicultural Small Business Accelerator Program held in partnership with M&T Bank, providing tools and resources over a 10-week course to increase business visibility and accelerate growth, concluding in a pitch competition.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average commercial electricity rate 55% less than Maryland average and 53% less than national average
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Frederick County Office of Economic Development
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Frederick County Office of Economic Development technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Frederick County Office of Economic Development partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Frederick County Public SchoolscoreMajor employer and workforce pipeline partner providing education and training programs for Frederick County students who become future workforce talent.
- Frederick HealthcoreHealthcare system serving as major employer and essential quality-of-life factor for business recruitment and retention.
- Frederick Community CollegecoreTwo-year college providing workforce training, customized industry training, and talent pipeline for local businesses.
- Hood CollegecorePrivate four-year college offering undergraduate and graduate programs, continuing education, and partnership opportunities.
- Mount Saint Mary's UniversitycorePrivate university in Emmitsburg providing undergraduate liberal arts and graduate programs including business and education.
- Maryland Department of CommercecoreState economic development agency providing financing programs including Advantage Maryland (MEDAAF) and MIDFA for targeted industries.
- Frederick Innovative Technology Center (FITCI)coreBusiness incubator for early-stage tech and life science startups with 93% survival rate and $389M economic impact. Supports Biomed, AgTech, and Renewable Energy companies.
- Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreProvides free counseling and training for entrepreneurs including business planning, financing, government procurement, and international trade assistance.
- Maryland Women's Business CentercoreHelps women entrepreneurs achieve economic growth through training, funding access, and strategic business counseling in Maryland's Capital Region.
- SCOREcoreMentor network providing free business mentoring and workshops for small business owners.
- Catellus Development CorporationcoreSelected as lead developer for Quantum Frederick hyperscale data center campus - one of the largest data center projects on the East Coast with 2,100 acres and 17.4 million SF planned.
- Frederick County Chamber of CommercecorePrimary business membership organization supporting economic development through networking, advocacy, and business resources.
- Entrepreneur Council of Frederick CountyminorCouncil supporting entrepreneurs and startup ecosystem development in Frederick County.
- Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy)coreElectricity provider for Frederick County businesses with programs supporting energy efficiency and economic development.
- Centro Hispano de FrederickcoreSupports immigrant community through tools, classes, and resources. Partner in EmPOWER Initiative providing Spanish-language mentorship program Visión Empresarial.
- Maryland Hispanic Chamber of CommercecoreServes Hispanic business community through business opportunities, training, and access to resources. Partner in EmPOWER Initiative.
- City of Frederick Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreMunicipal economic development partner co-hosting EmPOWER programs and collaborating on business development initiatives.
- Rowan Digital InfrastructurecoreData center operator with BAUXITE I, II, III facilities in Frederick County as part of the hyperscale data center ecosystem.
- Aligned Data CenterscoreAdaptive data center developer with facilities in Frederick County, Maryland.
- Visit Frederick (Tourism Council of Frederick County)coreTourism marketing organization partnering on craft beverage and business tourism initiatives.
- Frederick County Workforce ServicescoreWorkforce services partner providing job-seeker resources and business services for workforce recruitment and training.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves17 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Frederick County Office of Economic Development competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Frederick County Office of Economic Development social profiles
Digital presenceFrederick County Office of Economic Development financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Frederick County Office of Economic Development leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Frederick County Office of Economic Development funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frederick County Office of Economic Development M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Frederick County Office of Economic Development
What does Frederick County Office of Economic Development do?
Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) is a county government agency that provides free economic development services to businesses looking to start, locate, or expand in Frederick County, Maryland. Core services include site selection assistance, workforce recruitment and training support, incentive navigation, permit expediting, marketing/PR support, and market intelligence tools. It also operates business incubation through FITCI, supports the manufacturing sector via the Made in Frederick initiative, and runs the EmPOWER Initiative for underrepresented businesses.
Is Frederick County Office of Economic Development a public or private company?
Frederick County Office of Economic Development is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Frederick County Office of Economic Development founded?
Frederick County Office of Economic Development was founded in 1748. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Frederick County Office of Economic Development based?
Frederick County Office of Economic Development is headquartered in Frederick, United States, in the North America region.
Does Frederick County Office of Economic Development have an API?
No public API is recorded for Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
What industry is Frederick County Office of Economic Development in?
Frederick County Office of Economic Development's product category is Economic Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAN, Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local), with a secondary code of BPAIACAE, Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement. Its NAICS code is 9261 and its SIC code is 8741.