Constitutional structure, diligent planning and the completion of new and significant infrastructure distinguishes Frederick as a key business destination in the mid-Atlantic region.

Workforce

As it has for the past two decades, The City of Frederick attracts some 1,000 new residents each year. Our year 2000 City population of 53,000 coupled with an additional 50,000 residents who live in surrounding neighborhoods, represents 50% of Frederick County's 200,000+ total population. Closely equal in gender, more than 60% of Frederick's population falls between the ages of 18-64. More than 60% of Frederick's working population is employed in professional and managerial positions. One-third of our highly-skilled labor force invests 30-90 minutes a day commuting to Washington, DC, Baltimore, and along the I-270 Technology Corridor.

Housing

Abundant, diverse housing is a primary attraction among new residents moving to Frederick. The City includes 20,891 households - a third of all those located in Frederick County. In 2002 the average resale price of a single-family home in Frederick County was $208,784 - boasting housing costs which are lower than other Washington, D.C. suburban counties.

Planning

Committed to quality development, The City of Frederick Comprehensive Plan establishes policies guiding the long-term use of land, transportation, utilities, and historic preservation. The City's Planning Department provides expert support to the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Historic District commission through the administration of zoning ordinances, enacting the City's long-range planning and development needs. The Downtown Frederick Partnership offers additional support in urban planning matters associated with the designated Main Street area.

Roads

As it has since its founding, Frederick continues to be a major transportation nucleus. National and state highways leading from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh connect to Frederick's larger streets, ultimately funneling into the City's original historic downtown thoroughfares. The Department of Public Works maintains all residential streets and monitors traffic volume to ensure proper flow. Frederick continues to invest in new roads with the construction of the following two projects that are in various stages of completion.

Monocacy Boulevard
One of Frederick's most ambitious commercial development endeavors, Monocacy Boulevard is a 2.5-mile corridor located along the City's western edge, extending from Interstate 70 to Maryland Route 26. Surrounded by rolling fields and a mountain backdrop, Monocacy Boulevard offers several hundred developable acres, all of which are loaded with underground infrastructure. While appropriate for many employment uses, business leaders speculate the Boulevard could emerge as a biotech center given its proximity to the Frederick Municipal Airport and nearby Fort Detrick, home of some 30 military and civilian installations, among them, NIH's National Cancer Research Institute. Other bio-tech businesses city-wide include MedImmune and Southern Research Institute.

East Street Extension
Executed in two phases, the East Street Extension will provide direct access to Frederick's downtown business district from Interstate 70 via Carroll Creek Park. The immediate access provided by this highway will result in its becoming the City's major southern portal and dramatically increase Carroll Creek Park's commercial appeal. The first phase of the East Street Extension, spanning East Patrick Street to East South Street through Carroll Creek Park is completed. Construction of the final connection to I-70 will occur in the next several years.

Rail

Passenger service has recently returned to Frederick*, providing a dynamic, new transportation component within the City's historic district. Residents can now board MARC Rail at the new Carroll Creek Park station and be transported to 11 southbound stops before disembarking at Washington, DC's Union Station. A MARC Rail station in Rockville, MD, also allows passengers the option of boarding METRO Rail, Washington, DC's 103-mile public transportation rail system with 83 stations.

Bus

Frederick County's award-winning TransIT bus system provides convenient, high-quality, cost-effective public transportation, paratransit, and commuter services in Frederick County's larger municipalities. Greyhound offers national bus service from its terminal located in Carroll Creek Park.

Fiber
One of the many reasons Frederick has seen dramatic business growth in recent years is its abundance of redundant fiberoptics. The fiberoptic trunk lines which supply Washington, DC, are routed through Frederick County. Accordingly, the City is lit with a fiberoptic network as great as that which serves the Nation's Capital.

Water
The City of Frederick enjoys the benefit of high-quality drinking water. Served by three surface water sources, The City of Frederick's watershed is located on municipal-owned property fed by natural springs originating from the Catoctin Mountains. The testing of Frederick's municipal water supply consistently surpasses EPA and Maryland State standards for safety.

Air

Located at the apex of Interstate 70 and 270, Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is the second most active general aviation airport in Maryland and considered one of the finest in the Eastern United States. FDK provides business and corporate air services as well as "on-demand" flight service. FDK has been designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a General Aviation Reliever Airport for Ronald Reagan National, Baltimore-Washington International and Washington Dulles International airports. The airport annually serves some 300 businesses and handles more than 130,000 aircraft operations. Designed with an instrument landing system, FDK has a 5,220 foot runway that can accommodate the requirements of commercial jet aircraft. An FAA east-west runway measures 3,600 feet long. Implementation of a recently-approved 20-year masterplan will ensure the airport's continuing excellence. FDK is home to such industries as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), AVEMCO Insurance Company, Southern Research Institute, Frederick Community College School of Aviation Technology, and the Maryland State Police Trooper 3 Medevac.

Institutions

High-quality, educational facilities and institutions provide the business community with a work force that is skilled on all levels. Our Maryland State "Blue Ribbon" designated County public school system is complemented by 25 state-approved Career Technical Education programs. Hood College, Frederick Community College, and Mt. Saint Mary's College offer Associate's, Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. Collegiate and public school officials have established relationships with corporate leaders, resulting in the creation of curriculum relevant to the needs of the business community.