(12/2018) County Council President Bud Otis’ Statement On Monocacy Scenic River Plan

As the Frederick County Council will have a newly elected body sworn in for duty on December 3, 2018, it is fitting and proper to pass the baton. Tuesday, November 13th was our last meeting as seated Council Members, unless there is an emergency need to meet.

The Monocacy Scenic River Plan has proven to be quite a contentious issue, polarizing farmers, land- owners and environmentalists. It will be best suited for the next Council to address this issue. It is my hope that the newly elected body will take the time to listen to all the citizens who would like to speak to the Plan and broker an agreement that all can support which provides a safe water supply and secures property rights.

My sincere desire is for everyone to stop and listen to each other and not simply entrench in opposite positions. It is a beautiful river, our natural resource, and we must work together to preserve its vitality.

I wish the very best for the citizens of Frederick County and the new Council in the next term. It has been quite an honor to serve all of you.

For more information, contact Ragen Cherney at 301-600-1049 or via e-mail at RCherney@FrederickCountyMD.gov

Business Is Booming in Frederick County

One hundred percent of Frederick County businesses asked during Business Appreciation Week said they like doing business here, County Executive Jan Gardner announced today during her weekly public information briefing. "Our high quality of life is one of the main factors driving the economic growth in Frederick County, along with location and growth potential," said Executive Gardner. "Clearly Frederick County is a great place to do business!"

A record number of Frederick County businesses expect to expand in the coming year, according to feedback received during the county’s 18th annual Business Appreciation Week visits. Executive Gardner announced that 73 percent of the more than 100 participating businesses said they have plans to grow their operations, compared to 30 percent four years earlier. Most said business this year has been better than last year, and were even more optimistic about the coming year.

Organized each year by the Office of Economic Development, Business Appreciation Week is the largest business retention event in Frederick County and in the state of Maryland. This year’s event ran from October 15-19. Visits were made to businesses from Emmitsburg to Brunswick and from Mount Airy to Myersville. Based on information gathered during the week, business is booming in Frederick County.

Through the week, teams of ambassadors thanked businesses for choosing Frederick County. Ambassadors, who included local and state economic development partners, also asked what the county could do to help local businesses succeed. The event provides the Office of Economic Development the opportunity to assess the local business climate, look for trends and provide feedback to the community and elected officials.

When asked how business has been this year versus last year, 71 percent of those who responded said it was better than last year and 21 percent said business held steady. Businesses were very optimistic about what 2019 holds, with 86 percent predicting a better year next year and 13 percent expecting similar results to this year.

Business Appreciation Week helps OED stay in tune with the pulse of the business community and provides an opportunity to meet or reconnect with businesses. OED makes a concentrated effort for its ambassadors to visit as many businesses as possible in diverse industries throughout the county so that it can stay abreast of the business environment. BAW helps to position the county to be able to adapt to emerging markets, new employee skill set needs and new ways of doing business to stay competitive.

To learn more about Business Appreciation Week, visit www.discoverfrederickmd.com/baw or call 301-600-1058.

Frederick County Receives StormReady Certification

Frederick County has earned its StormReady certification from the National Weather Service. NWS Meteorologist Chris Strong presented County Executive Jan Gardner with the certificate during today’s public information briefing.

"We are proud to be named a StormReady county by the National Weather Service," said Executive Gardner. "The designation recognizes our commitment to our citizens’ safety. While no area is stormproof, Frederick County is proactive in dealing with severe weather that can affect our county."

In general, a community must possess a solid communication network and have a comprehensive multi-hazard emergency operations plan to receive the StormReady status. Frederick County Government’s efforts include monitoring weather and water conditions, keeping the public in informed through multiple channels, working with the community so that people who live and work here are prepared, and training for citizens such as the Storm Spotter training coordinated by the Division of Emergency Management.

StormReady is a partnership between the county and the NWS to ensure weather warnings and information flow freely. Counties must be able to receive and disseminate weather warnings, observe weather and river levels in the county, and conduct weather safety training.

"This partnership is vital to public safety in the county and I commend our Division of Emergency Management staff, our county employees and the volunteers who prepare and protect our citizens," added Executive Gardner.

More information on preparedness may be found at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ READY or by contacting the Emergency Preparedness Department at 301-600-1746 or via e-mail at EM@FrederickCountyMD.gov.