Several years ago, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce adopted the slogan "Live Here! Work Here!" Today, a greater percentage of our population (58 percent) remains in-county for both home and career. To further increase these numbers, the Chamber—along with Downtown Frederick Partnership, the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and more than 14 additional organizations—is committed to sharing the vision of Frederick County as a full-service community. The opportunities for employment, education, culture, entertainment, and outdoor activities abound and offer a mix both contemporary and historic. It is this melding of city amenities and small town atmosphere that makes Frederick County a viable—and increasingly successful—home for businesses both large and small.

Live Here!

The community of small towns that make up Frederick County is nestled at the crossroads of several major highways, connecting the county to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Frederick County is also linked to these major metropolitan areas by the Frederick Municipal Airport, the second busiest general aviation airport in Maryland (and deemed one of the nation’s top airports), and the MARC train system.

Frederick County's convenient location and comparative affordability have contributed greatly to the county's growth. Together, with area businesses, organizations, and elected officials, we continue to strive to balance growth and affordability in Frederick County.

At the heart of Frederick County is historic downtown Frederick, an attractive neighborhood filled with an array of workplaces, homes, shops, theaters, museums, and restaurants. In 2005, downtown Frederick was honored with the Great American Main Street Award, a distinction that recognizes the revitalization efforts of the city. Frederick was the first city in Maryland to receive this award.

In addition to the lively atmosphere of downtown Frederick, Frederick County offers outdoor recreation at Catoctin Mountain Park, festivals and wine tastings at Linganore Winecellars, and minor league baseball games at Harry Grove Stadium … just to name a few. Frederick County is home to a nationally recognized, award-winning public school system, is the site of the state's first charter school, and hosts three major institutions of higher education—Frederick Community College, Hood College, and Mount St. Mary’s University.

Work Here!

Frederick County benefits greatly from a strong regional job market. Large employers have recognized that Frederick County offers not only a highly skilled workforce and access to major metropolitan areas, but also real estate values and a low tax structure that cannot be found in areas closer to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The agricultural industry is also a significant part of Frederick County’s economy, with Frederick County farmers producing almost $100 million of agricultural products annually.

While large businesses are important to Frederick County’s growing economy, so are small businesses. Downtown Frederick and other municipalities such a Middletown, Urbana, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, and Mount Airy, are home to a wide variety of small businesses, including unique shops, restaurants, and service providers. Both small and large businesses form a strong foundation for Frederick’s regional economy, and their commitment to our community is what makes Frederick County a unique place to live and work.