Support Local Frederick

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Support Local Frederick is a project of the Frederick County Chamber.

This space is intended to be a place where Frederick County businesses and nonprofits can connect with the community to provide information and opportunities to support one another.

10/28/2026

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is committed to supporting students who are seeking career education and training outside of traditional post-secondary schooling. Scholarships are available for qualifying students who apply through the Community Foundation’s online application.

Thanks to generous donors who have created charitable funds, scholarship support is available for Frederick County residents to help pay for training at an accredited trade or technical program as well as certification exams, tools and other necessary supplies for study and work in the trades. The online application opens Nov. 1, and scholarships will be awarded until the funds are depleted or until the application closes on May 1, 2027.

The application and related information can be found at ScholarshipsFrederickCounty.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and students will be notified of the status of their request within 45 days of the application. Scholarships will be paid directly to a school in support of tuition payments or purchases of exams, tools, or supplies. Scholarships may not be used to reimburse the student.

10/27/2026

The Community Foundation of Frederick County welcomes a new chair of its board of trustees, RaeAnn E. Butler, and six new trustees: Jill Baker, Wanda Ellison-Osborne, Juan Gotos, Jacquelyn Grossnickle, Julia Martorana and Mariam Memarsadeghi. The trustees began their service on Oct. 1 and will serve up to two three-year terms.

Incoming Chair RaeAnn Butler is in her fourth year of service on the Community Foundation board. Butler is the President of Edenton Retirement Community. She also sits on the board of trustees for Hood College and Advocates for the Aging of Frederick County and she serves on the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee .

Jill Baker, a certified public accountant, is the chief financial officer for The AOPA Foundation, Inc. and The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and president of AOPA Aviation Finance Company, LLC. Her experience includes mergers and acquisitions, corporate banking, commercial real estate development and international operations. Baker is active with the Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County and The Friends of the Thurmont Library.

Wanda Ellison-Osborne, a certified public accountant, is a director in the assurance practice at CohnReznick LLP. She works primarily with clients in the affordable housing industry. She also serves on the firm’s training committee for audits in the affordable housing industry involving the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is a member of the firm’s Emerging Leaders Group in affordable housing. Ms. Ellison-Osborne is active with Trinity United Methodist Church and the Frederick County Affordable Housing Taskforce. She is currently pursuing designation as a Certified Lay Speaker within the United Methodist Church. She is a member of the AICPA, MACPA and Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society. She has previously served on the boards of various PTA organizations, the African-American Real Estate Professionals of DC and Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc.

Juan Gotos, a certified public accountant, is the owner of Gotos CPA Services. Prior to moving to Frederick, he spent more than 13 years in public-sector advisory and consulting in Puerto Rico. His work combines accounting and finance with project management, problem solving, and organizational improvement.

Jacquelyn Grossnickle, an attorney at the Law Office of Tregoning & Grossnickle, P.C., focuses on estate and trust planning, business succession planning and estate administration. Grossnickle is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the Bar Association of Frederick County, and the Estate Planning Council of Frederick County, and she serves on the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Leadership Committee.

Julie Martorana is the city administrator for the City of Brunswick. A former community college professor, Martorana has served on the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee and Scholarship Committee for several years.

Mariam Memarsadeghi brings more than 25 years of experience leading international democracy, civic education, and human rights initiatives. She is a Senior Fellow at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, co-founder of Tavaana: E-Learning Institute for Iranian Civil Society, and founder and director of the Cyrus Forum for Iran’s Future. She previously held a leadership role at Freedom House and worked for nearly three years in the Balkan region following the NATO bombing of Kosovo. A frequent speaker and published commentator, she also serves as a judge for the Center for Civic Education's nationwide "We The People" high school tournament on the US Constitution. Memarsadeghi and her family emigrated to the US when she was a child during the Iranian revolution. Her family holds a fund at the Community Foundation.

10/22/2026

Healing through humor is a time-honored tradition. On September 10, 2026, Showtime Sound LLC proudly provided full production for NYC Still Rising After 25 Years: A 9/11 Charities Comedy Benefit at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Marking the 25th anniversary of September 11, the event brought extraordinary talent together to support 9/11 charities and honor the first responder community. For Showtime, it was an opportunity to bring our experience, trusted equipment, and dedicated production team to an event with deep meaning.
The evening featured Aziz Ansari, Nate Bargatze, Bill Burr, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng, Pete Davidson, Shane Gillis, Nikki Glaser, Josh Johnson, Kevin Hart, Cipha Sounds, and Jon Stewart, with special musical guest Machine Gun Kelly (MGK). Showtime has worked with many of these comedians over the years - relationships built through collaboration and an understanding of what comedians need to deliver their best performances. Having so many familiar performers together for a great cause made this night especially memorable for our team.
Our Showtime crew brought together audio equipment from our amazing partners at L-Acoustics, Avid, and Shure, along with outstanding LED technology from Theatrixx Technologies, and lighting fixtures from notable brands including ACME Lighting, Chauvet Professional, Martin Lighting, and more. Great equipment matters, and so does the team behind it. Showtime consistently combines experienced production professionals with carefully selected technology to help clients create events that sound exceptional, look stunning, and connect with their audiences. Showtime CFO and Senior Lighting Designer Aaron Kovelman commented, “Designing the lighting for NYC Still Rising was an honor - an opportunity to recognize our first responders and commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11. The design was subtle but impactful: controlled color contrast, a sharply lit drape, two large towers at each end of the stage, and a continuous downstage line of lights created layered depth across the 60-foot-wide stage while keeping the comedians as the focal point. Together, those elements gave the ‘World’s Most Famous Arena’ a distinct visual identity for the evening, supporting both the comedy and the shared patriotic spirit that brought everyone together.”
It was an honor and a privilege to support this meaningful benefit for first responders. A special thank you to our partners at Live Nation for including Showtime and trusting our team with its production. Whether you’re planning a tour, concert, comedy show, corporate gathering, or charity benefit like this, contacting Showtime means bringing your vision to life.

10/22/2026

Brown Plus Named the #8 Best Place to Work for Women in 2026
in the Medium Category by Best Companies Group

Leading accounting and advisory firm, Brown Plus, is pleased to announce that it was recently named the #8 Best Place to Work for Women in 2026 in the medium category by Best Companies Group.

The Best Places to Work for Women certification recognizes employers across the country who create exceptional workplace environments for women. According to Best Companies Group, the recognition as a Best Place to Work for Women is “an achievement that highlights an employer’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace where women can thrive” and it “recognizes organizations that show their commitment to equity and growth are part of their DNA.”

“The Best Places to Work for Women winners demonstrate leadership in equity, opportunity and retention. These workplaces excel in creating environments where women employees thrive,” said Jaime Raul Zepeda, Executive Vice President of Best Companies Group + COLOR Magazine. “At Best Companies Group, we are pleased to certify this honor that recognizes employers who know, recognize and appreciate their female talent. Congratulations to all the winners.”

The Best Places to Work for Women are determined based on feedback gathered directly from employees. Best Companies Group reviewed various data points and benchmarks to rank organizations that are elevating, growing and supporting women in their workplace. Brown Plus learned its ranking at a virtual awards event on September 24, 2026, which celebrated and ranked all honorees in the small, medium, large and enterprise categories.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work for Women in 2026,” said Ken Wolfe, CPA, CGMA, President and Managing Principal at Brown Plus. “This recognition reflects the leadership, talent and dedication of the women across our Firm, whose contributions and perspectives strengthen our culture and contribute to our continued success. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and remain committed to creating an environment where every team member has the opportunity to grow, succeed and thrive.”

Brown Plus exists to help people achieve extraordinary outcomes, including its team members. To that end, one of the Firm’s core values is life balance. Brown Plus is proud to provide numerous policies, programs and other benefits to help its team members maintain a strong life balance and achieve extraordinary outcomes, including:

• CPA exam reimbursement
• Development bonuses
• Dress for your day policy
• Emerging young professionals group
• Flex time
• Fun events for team members and their families
• Offices closed for paid week of vacation the week of Independence Day
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time for community volunteering
• Remote work arrangements
• Summer hours

In addition to its Best Places to Work for Women recognition, Brown Plus has received several other distinctions as a top workplace in 2026. This year, the Firm has been recognized as a recipient of the America’s Best Workplaces Award in the medium company category; the #13 Best Remote and Hybrid Workplace in America in the small/medium employer category; the #2 Best Accounting Firm to Work For; and the #2 Best Company to Work For in Maryland.

For more information about Brown Plus’ team member benefits, please visit https://www.brownplus.com/careers/benefits/.

For more information about Best Companies Group’s Best Places to Work for Women award, please visit https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-workplaces-for-women-by-best-companies-group/.

10/22/2026

Washington Freedom broke ground Friday, October 16, on its permanent home in Frederick, Maryland marking a significant milestone for the Major League Cricket franchise, the growth of professional cricket in the United States, and the project’s transition from planning to development.

The privately funded, 10,000-capacity cricket park will be developed on 24 acres along the Monocacy River and is envisioned as both a world-class home for Washington Freedom and a multi-use recreational and community destination for the region. When complete, it will be the first dedicated permanent home facility built for a Major League Cricket franchise on the East Coast and one of only a few purpose-built professional cricket venues in the country.

Washington Freedom team leadership and front office representatives were joined at the groundbreaking by Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, City Council members, and regional business and community leaders. Prior to remarks recognizing the significance of the project, participants joined Washington Freedom for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the future park site.

“[Sanjay Govil] doesn't bet on what is, he bets on what can be, and this is what he is doing for the State of Maryland, he’s betting on the future of it,” said Lieutenant Governor of Maryland Aruna Miller. “And it’s the people of Frederick who are going to win…because when you bring global fans from all over the world to Frederick, it's going to be a destination.”

The groundbreaking represents the culmination of years of work by Washington Freedom owner Sanjay Govil and the organization to establish a permanent home for the franchise. It also comes at a pivotal moment for cricket in the United States, as Major League Cricket continues to expand and the sport prepares to return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

“It's moments like today that we'll look back on as historic moments for the sport in this country,” said Major League Cricket CEO Johnny Grave. “I can’t wait to come back here over the next few years and see this entire site transformed into not just one of the better cricket grounds in the world, but a real center for community.”

Beyond serving as Washington Freedom’s home field, the park is designed to create broader value for Frederick and the surrounding region. Current projections estimate nearly $2 million in annual tax revenue for the City of Frederick, Frederick County, and the State of Maryland once the park reaches full capacity, while increased visitation is expected to generate additional activity for area hotels, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses.

“Today, we're breaking ground on something that represents so much more than a professional sports facility,” said Frederick City Mayor Michael O’Connor during the event. “We're celebrating a new opportunity for economic growth, community connection, and Frederick's continued evolution as a destination for people, businesses, and new ideas.”

“Projects of this scale don't happen simply because someone has a great idea,” O’Connor continued. “They happen because people are willing to work together. And here in Frederick, we understood what this investment could mean for our city, and we worked collaboratively with partners to help move that vision forward. Today is a reflection of what can happen when private investment and local leadership and a shared commitment to our community come together.”

Outside of professional cricket, the park is intended to support youth and amateur sports, community events and recreational use. Plans also envision new public access to green space along the Monocacy River, extending the project’s purpose beyond match days and creating an asset designed to serve the community throughout the year.

“Sports are about competition, they're about rivalries, but at the end of the day, they are about bringing people together,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. “And that’s what’s so exciting…the power of sport to bring people together, and to do it right here in Frederick, and to do it with the Washington Freedom.”

With groundbreaking complete, Washington Freedom will continue advancing site development and the work required to bring the cricket pitch and broader park to life. Additional construction and opening details will be announced as the project progresses through the required phases.

09/30/2026

Organizations that support Frederick County residents with cancer are invited to submit applications for funding from The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s William E. Barnhart Memorial Fund from Oct. 1 through Oct. 23, 2026.

This fund is one of three created through W. Eugene “Gene” Barnhart’s estate. Mr. Barnhart was originally from Laytonsville, Maryland and later settled in Middletown, Maryland. He was a farmer for most of his life, followed by a second career as an auto mechanic.

More than $750,000 in funding is available. One application is permitted per organization and grant requests must be a minimum of $10,000. All funding must provide direct benefits to residents of Frederick County, Maryland.

Eligible organizations must certify they are one of the following: a 501c3 nonprofit, a government agency applying for an extraordinary project that is not funded by tax revenue, a religious organization requesting funding for non-sectarian activities, or a civic group that is not a 501c3 requesting funding for a community cause.

All grant applications are submitted through the Community Foundation’s online application process. Grant details and access to the application are available at

09/30/2026

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), a global, nonprofit accreditation body, has opened its call for speakers for the A2LA Annual Conference 2027 (AnnCon27) taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 26-29, 2027.
This leading industry event is a valuable opportunity for accreditation and quality professionals from all sectors to showcase their expertise on a global stage. Those who are selected to speak will receive complementary AnnCon27 registration—an approximately $1,000 value—and the opportunity to build their reputation as a subject-matter expert among professionals from around the world.
Accreditation serves as a foundation for confidence in testing, inspection, certification, healthcare, manufacturing, environmental monitoring, food safety, forensic science, and other critical sectors. AnnCon27 will bring together experts who are helping organizations navigate evolving quality, technical, and regulatory challenges.
Last year’s A2LA Annual Conference drew more than 653 attendees, growing just over 15% from the year prior. It attracts international participants from many countries, including Canada, India, China, Romania, Nigeria, Taiwan, Argentina, Egypt, Singapore, and more.
"Accreditation plays a critical role in protecting public trust, supporting innovation, and enabling confidence in products, services, and scientific results around the world," said Lonnie Spires, President and CEO of A2LA. "AnnCon27 provides a unique opportunity for experts and thought leaders to share practical solutions, emerging trends, and insights that strengthen quality infrastructure globally."
As laboratories, inspection bodies, certification organizations, and quality professionals face increasing demands related to supply chain resilience, AI, cybersecurity, regulatory oversight, and global trade, AnnCon27 will focus on the challenges shaping the future of accreditation and conformity assessment.
“As someone who travelled 5,500 miles and crossed the Atlantic to return to this conference, AnnCon26 proved to be an exceptionally well-curated and intellectually rewarding forum,” said Dr. Radu Ilinca, Academic Researcher and Assistant Professor at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Romania. “It brings together a distinguished community of professionals committed to advancing the principles and practice of accreditation. The programme was both rigorous and thoughtfully structured, offering a rare balance between technical depth and strategic perspective.”

Session submissions require a summary of the presentation, a brief biography, and a current headshot. Speakers and their sessions are promoted on the LinkedIn event page, the event app, event signage, and more. Sessions are typically 40 minutes long.
Priority topics include, but are not limited to, ISO standards and implementation, laboratory operations and quality systems, AI integration, inspection and certification, risk management, continuous improvement, emerging industry technologies and laboratory innovation, workforce development, leadership and soft skill development, regulatory developments, and more.
Important Dates
• The Call Opens August 31, 2026
• The Call Closes November 16, 2026
• Speaker Notifications December 11, 2026
• Conference Agenda Live December 14, 2026
To submit a session, visit https://na.eventscloud.com/eSites/anncon27/Call%20for%20Speakers.
To learn more about A2LA Annual Conference, visit https://a2la.org/annual_conference/.
For more information about A2LA, visit www.A2LA.org or contact us at [email protected].
Media Contact: Wallis Reed; [email protected]; 301-644-3230

09/15/2026

Celebrate Frederick County Business Appreciation Week with Attronica Computers at their upcoming Open House!

Stop by on Wednesday, September 30 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM to tour the facility, meet the Attronica team and connect with members of the Frederick County business community. Plus, enjoy lunch from the food truck on site, courtesy of Attronica.

📍 Attronica Computers
7118 Geoffrey Way, Suite A, Frederick, MD 21704

RSVP and come say hello!

09/08/2026

M-TEC SOLUTIONS APPROVED AS MARYLAND SOLAR ACCESS PROGRAM PARTICIPATING CONTARCTOR
M-TEC Solutions LLC, a Frederick, Maryland-based solar company serving Maryland and the greater DMV region, is pleased to announce that it has been approved as a Maryland Solar Access Program (MSAP) Participating Contractor through the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA).The designation allows M-TEC Solutions to work with eligible Maryland homeowners seeking to take advantage of a state program designed to make residential solar energy more accessible to households that meet the program's income requirements.
What Is the Maryland Solar Access Program?
The Maryland Solar Access Program was established to help income-eligible Maryland residents install solar photovoltaic systems on their homes and access clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.For Fiscal Year 2027, the program provides an upfront rebate reservation based on the size of the proposed solar PV system. The current rebate is calculated at $750 per kilowatt of DC system capacity, up to a maximum rebate of $7,500.The program is administered by the Maryland Energy Administration and is intended specifically for qualifying Maryland homeowners. Eligibility is based on household income and other program requirements.
Why the Timing of the Application Matters
One of the most important things homeowners should understand about MSAP is that the rebate is not something a homeowner applies for after installing solar.
The program operates through a two-step process.
First, an eligible homeowner must obtain an upfront rebate reservation, and that reservation must be approved by MEA before the solar PV system is installed.
After the solar project has been completed and interconnected, the applicant proceeds through the second step to request the rebate payment.
This requirement makes it important for homeowners to understand the program before signing off on construction or beginning their solar project.
Who Can Participate?
MSAP is designed for income-eligible Maryland households. For FY2027, MEA's current maximum gross annual household income limits range from $136,785 for a one-person household to $257,910 for an eight-person household. The applicable limit depends on household size.
Meeting the income requirement, however, does not automatically guarantee a rebate. Homeowners must satisfy the program's other eligibility requirements and follow the required application process.
The program is also subject to available funding. MEA currently anticipates up to $10 million for FY2027 rebates and notes that the application portal may close before the stated deadline if requested funding exceeds the available program budget.
What Does M-TEC Solutions' Approval Mean for Homeowners?
As an MSAP Participating Contractor, M-TEC Solutions is included among the contractors homeowners can select when applying for a new MSAP rebate reservation.M-TEC Solutions can also assist homeowners with the application process. Under the program, a homeowner can submit an application independently, or an approved participating contractor can submit an application on the homeowner's behalf with the appropriate authorization. This gives homeowners the opportunity to work with a local solar company while navigating the requirements of the program.
"We are excited to become an approved Maryland Solar Access Program Participating Contractor because we believe homeowners should have a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them before making a major energy investment," said [Name, Title] of M-TEC Solutions. "Our role is not simply to provide solar services. We want to help homeowners understand the process, evaluate their options, and make informed decisions about whether solar makes sense for their homes."
Solar Access Is About More Than a Rebate
While the financial assistance is an important part of the program, the broader goal is to expand access to residential solar energy among Maryland households that may otherwise find the upfront cost difficult to manage.Solar can potentially help homeowners produce electricity at their property, reduce their reliance on electricity purchased from the grid, and participate in Maryland's transition toward cleaner energy.
However, solar is not necessarily the right solution for every home. Factors such as roof condition, available sunlight, system design, electricity usage, utility requirements, and the overall cost of the project should be evaluated before a homeowner moves forward.M-TEC Solutions encourages homeowners to view the MSAP rebate as one part of the overall solar decision, rather than assuming that every household or property will qualify.
An Important Reminder for Homeowners
Homeowners interested in the Maryland Solar Access Program should not install their solar system first and attempt to apply for the rebate afterward.
The upfront rebate reservation must be approved by MEA before installation begins. Homeowners should also work with a contractor listed as an MSAP Participating Contractor when submitting a new application.
M-TEC Solutions encourages Maryland homeowners who believe they may qualify to begin by reviewing their household eligibility and discussing their property and energy needs with a participating contractor.
About M-TEC Solutions LLC
M-TEC Solutions LLC is a Frederick, Maryland-based solar company serving homeowners and businesses throughout Maryland and the DMV region. The company provides residential and commercial solar services, including solar installations, troubleshooting, repairs, detach and reset services, electrical services, maintenance, and Operations & Maintenance support.
Through its participation in the Maryland Solar Access Program, M-TEC Solutions is expanding its ability to help eligible Maryland homeowners understand and navigate opportunities for residential solar.
Contact info
301-244-9707
[email protected]

09/02/2026

Join Visit Frederick for a guided bus tour highlighting tourism and hospitality businesses in Frederick County. This tour will show what's new and exciting in the tourism industry along the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Scenic Byway, an industry that generates more than $550 million in Frederick County each year.
Visit Frederick hosts these "Familiarization Tours" twice a year - providing the business community an opportunity to learn more about tourism in Frederick County and its economic impact on the region.
Tour starts at 8:00am and is rain or shine. Please register by September 21, 2026.
https://www.visitfrederick.org/partners/fam-tours/

Address

Frederick, MD

Website

https://www.frederickchamber.org/

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