OED Launches Minority Business Database to Support Frederick Companies

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) recently launched a directory of local women and minority-owned businesses. The Frederick County Minority Business Database, accessible on the OED website, serves as a marketing tool for local companies, as well as a resource for other businesses looking to purchase from or partner with minority-owned businesses.

The Frederick County Minority Business Directory is part of OED’s Minority Business Vision Initiative (MBV), which began in 2015 to provide support, education and networking opportunities to minority-owned businesses. In addition to the Directory, the MBV initiative includes monthly networking and education events and the Frederick County Future Minority Leadership Program, which graduated the first class in October 2017. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the local minority business community, encouraging women and minorities to engage in entrepreneurship and small business start-ups, and developing the next generation of women and minority leaders.

The Frederick County Minority Business directory was developed in-house using a variety of data sources as well as through direct connections with local businesses. To be added to the list, a company must be owned by a woman, minority or veteran of the US Armed Forces based in Frederick County, MD. If your company would like to be added, please email your information to Sherman Coleman, OED’s Small and Minority Business Development Specialist, at scoleman@frederickcountymd.gov. For more information on the Minority Business Initiative, and to access the directory, visit www.discoverfrederickmd.com/mbv