Frederick County Office of Economic Development

Business growth, workforce and investment support in Frederick County

Government AgencySuburban Maryland

About Frederick County Office of Economic Development

What it is

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED) is a Frederick County government office. Its stated mission is to sustain, diversify and grow the county's economy by providing leadership and resources for businesses to start, locate and expand. It serves as the primary point of contact for those businesses and focuses on target industries including advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology.

What it offers founders

Start a Business road map: a ten step guide covering a business plan, business structure, financing, tax accounts, an EIN, licenses, locations, permits and zoning, and hiring.
Connections to partners: referrals to the Frederick County Small Business Development Center, the Maryland Women's Business Center, SCORE Frederick and Maryland Business Express.
Help with sites and permits: available property reports, information on business incubation and shared office options, and expedited permitting through Fast Track Permitting for eligible projects.
Incentives and taxes: information on state and local tax credits, Facade Improvement Grants, Neighborhood Business Works gap financing and C-PACE loans. The county lists no business personal property tax.
EmPOWER Initiative: resources, education and networking for underrepresented business owners and allies, including a mentorship program, networking events and a loan program hosted through LEDC Metro.

Who it is for

FCOED works with businesses of all sizes, from people exploring a new venture to established companies expanding or relocating to the county. EmPOWER programs focus on business owners who are women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ owners and allies. Most founder services are aimed at businesses located, or planning to locate, in Frederick County.

How to engage

Begin with the Start a Business page, then review the EmPOWER Initiative if it fits your situation. For a site, permitting or incentive question, call 301-600-1058, text 301-900-3537 or email fcoed@frederickcountymd.gov. The office is at 118 N Market St, Suite 200, in Downtown Frederick, at ROOT, which the county describes as a one stop business and technology cultivation center. Background on the team and mission is on the About FCOED page.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

Frederick County sits in the northwest of the DMV region, and the office reports more than 7,100 businesses in the county. For a founder choosing where to set up in Maryland, FCOED is a free local guide to county permits, zoning, incentives and the support organizations that work alongside it.

Programs

Start a Business road map
A ten step guide to launching a business in Frederick County, from business plan and structure through licenses, permits, zoning and hiring, with links to partner resources.
EmPOWER Initiative
FCOED program building economic inclusion through resources, education and networking for underrepresented business owners and allies, including a loan program hosted through LEDC Metro.
EmPOWER Mentorship Program
Six weekly in-person sessions, led by Small Business Development Center representatives and local business leaders, that guide underrepresented Frederick County business owners through building a business plan. Selected applicants pay a $100 fee.
EmPOWER Networking
Networking events for EmPOWER business owners and allies, with RSVP through the FCOED site.
Fast Track Permitting
Expedites eligible projects through the development process on an abbreviated schedule.

Who it serves

Entrepreneurs and companies starting, relocating or expanding in Frederick County, Maryland, including underrepresented business owners through the EmPOWER Initiative.

Frequently asked questions

Does FCOED charge for its help?

Its website does not list fees for general business assistance. The EmPOWER Mentorship Program charges selected applicants a $100 program fee.

I want to start a business in Frederick County. Where do I begin?

Use the Start a Business road map on the FCOED site, which walks through planning, structure, tax registration, licenses, permits and zoning, then call FCOED at 301-600-1058 with specific questions.

Who is eligible for the EmPOWER Mentorship Program?

Businesses based in Frederick County that are at least 51 percent owned by underrepresented owners, as the program defines them, and that can attend all six in-person sessions. Applications for the 2026 cohort are closed and future cohorts had not been announced.

Where is the office and how do I contact it?

118 N Market St, Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21701. Call 301-600-1058 or 800-248-2296, text 301-900-3537, or email fcoed@frederickcountymd.gov.