Frederick County
Fostering INNOVATION in Frederick County BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON
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here is no single initiative driving business innovation in Frederick County but, rather, a combination of partnerships, programs, and a unique sense of place that fuels the development of new products, processes and practices. “One of the neat things in this community is the collaboration between businesses in associated fields or related industries,” said Richard G. Griffin, director of the Department of Economic Development in the city of Frederick. Such collaborations, which promote innovation, are encouraged and supported by local governments and the private sector. Providing like-minded companies— whether start-ups or established—a place to collocate has paid dividends when it comes to research, product development and commercialization in Frederick County. This is “one of the primary innovation techniques being employed by the county and city to help get those firms—the innovative companies of the future—established and growing in our community,” said Griffin. Of the 15 companies that have graduated from the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI), 94 percent are still in business, 7 percent above the national average. The nonprofit FITCI, a public-private partnership, was established eight years ago to support early stage biotechnology, information technology and renewable energy start-ups. “When we go to trade shows, we tell people, ‘If you want to put a footprint in the United States or state of Maryland, our incubator is an easy way to get started,’” said Helen Riddle, acting director of the Frederick County Business Development and Retention Division. The National Cancer Institute’s
“One of the neat things in this community is the collaboration between businesses in associated fields or related industries.” -Richard G. Griffin, director, Department of Economic Development, City of Frederick
new 332,000-square-foot Advanced Technology Research Facility (ATRF) at Riverside Research Park will serve as a hub of innovation, attracting synergistic biomedical research institutions and life science companies. Through strategic research-and-development partnerships, firms will have access to world-class technologies, capabilities and scientific expertise. ATRF will consolidate operations now housed in more than 30 outdated buildings on Fort Detrick. “There’s been a long-standing commitment at Fort Detrick to move technology from the lab to commercialization,” said Griffin. “This new cancer facility takes that initiative to a whole new level.” ATRF’s novel business/research model is expected to accelerate the delivery of new cancer and HIV products. Fort Detrick’s annual Spring Research Festival, which was held May 9 and 10 in partnership with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, promotes innovation through information sharing and hands-on demonstrations of the latest biomedical equipment, services and technologies. More than 175 scientists share posters—many featuring diagrams,
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graphs and photos—and explain their work to colleagues and visitors. Less formal but more frequent events—including the 10-year-old Manufacturers Roundtable,Tech Frederick’s Networking Happy Hour, monthly BioBeers and, for those interested in sustainability, Frederick Green Drinks—encourage collaboration and spark innovation. “They talk about changes in business practices that increase efficiency or result in cost savings,” said Riddle. “Networking leads to partnerships, which, in turn, lead to innovation. And, when resources dwindle, it’s all about the partnerships.” To increase its appeal to knowledgebased firms, the city of Frederick is considering regulatory changes. “The county has done this and the city is about to put in place job creation and investment tax credits that are attractive to technology businesses,” said Griffin, “and will be based on jobs retained or created and investments in new facilities and equipment.” Recognizing that vibrant communities are a draw for knowledge-industry workers, the city and county are investing in projects and infrastructure designed to increase amenities. “While
June 2012
it may not be thought of as innovative, it will support the innovative culture we have here in Frederick,” said Griffin of a proposed downtown hotel and conference center.The city is looking at development of a full-service, 200-plus room facility with some 15,000 square feet of meeting space. “Tech companies want cool space— something unique and funky that fuels their creativity,” said Riddle. “Frederick City has one of the best offerings of rehabilitated properties, many of which feature things like open beams and interesting staircases or floor-to-ceiling windows with really great views. And, it doesn’t hurt that you can walk out of a building and into one of many great food places.” Thurmont and Brunswick also offer unique spaces along with an outstanding quality of life. “Brunswick has a towpath. Folks can just grab a canoe and get on the river,” said Riddle. Ensuring a steady supply of innovative thinkers is part of the mission of the Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education. A partnership of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Community College, Fort Detrick and economic development agencies, the roundtable promotes academic excellence and links classroom learning with real-world experience. With a group of nationally and globally recognized technology and life science companies currently within its borders, Frederick County is poised to become a hotbed of innovation. Cooperative ventures between the public and private sectors coupled with new initiatives and investments are expected to expand the depth and breadth of corporate ingenuity and resourcefulness.