2004 was a busy year for the Thurmont Economic Development Committee! Here is a overview of some of the accomplishments of the past year.
1. Ribbon cuttings for new businesses.
We have welcomed many new businesses to Thurmont by holding ribbon cuttings. The new business owners get a chance to meet with our members and the Town Officials that accompany us. These make a great photo opportunity and we have tried to get as much local media coverage as possible.
2. Second Annual Christmas in Thurmont
As everyone who attended will tell you, this was a great event for 2004! This year Christmas in Thurmont was extended to one full week, starting with the opening ceremonies and finishing up with the prize drawings on Saturday evening. We had over $3,000.00 in donations of prizes from local businesses.
3. Business Directory
The business directory is currently being printed and will be distributed to each household in Thurmont.
4. Applying for Main Street Designation
The Economic Development Committee has begun the process of applying
for “Main Street” designation. We are working with Jakubiak & Associates,
of Annapolis on the application. This project will require the involvement
of the entire Thurmont Community and we ask for your support in this process.
5. Commitment from the Town of Thurmont for Main Street Designation
The Board of Commissioners has shown their support of our Main Street
program by agreeing to fund the cost of preparing and submitting the program application. The Main Street designation will be of benefit to the entire community
and will help focus State and National attention on Thurmont
6. Regular Monthly Meetings
Since starting our regular monthly meetings we have had much more involvement
in our projects. This coming year we have made a change to the meeting
schedule so we alternate monthly between breakfast and dinner meetings.
7. Monthly articles in local newspapers.
We have begun submitting monthly articles to local papers outlining our events
and highlighting local businesses.
8. Participation by several local businesses in Frederick County Economic Development’s “ Business Appreciation Week”.
The Frederick County Economic Development Office visited with several local businesses during Business Appreciation Week”. Representatives from the County presented these businesses with certificates of appreciation and offered their assistance with any questions or concerns expressed during the visits. County Commissioner Mike Cady accompanied Thurmont Commissioner Bill Blakeslee on several of these visits.
9. Support of the local events such as the 50’s - 60’s Night
and Halloween in the Park.
Commissioner Wayne Hooper organizes both the 50’s & 60’s Night
and Halloween in the Park, we are proud to help with both of these
very successful, community oriented events.
10. Sponsoring business speakers.
As part of our efforts to help support and improve local businesses we are
sponsoring speakers at our meetings. Each month we have a local business
owner give a short presentation. These have been very informative and give our membership a sometimes humorous insight into the workings of our business community. This past year we also had Casey Wilson of the University of Maryland give his presentation “Making Your Business a Destination”. This meeting was well attended and Casey held our attention throughout his entire presentation. We are planning to invite Casey and other speakers to future meetings.