He admits that he might be biased, but Frederick County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Rick Weldon believes he has the best job in Frederick.
Why is that? Because he has the privilege of serving primarily small businesses in a uniquely passionate community.
“We have just under 1000 members,” he says, “and of those, 90% employ fewer than 50 people. We’re truly serving local businesses, nonprofits and new entrepreneurs. Our mission is to be the center of connection, guidance and advocacy for them.”
And while it’s always a rewarding prospect to be serving a local business community, there’s just something different about what happens in Frederick.
“When people from other Chambers visit, they often ask what makes Frederick so vibrant and special,” Weldon says. “I tell them this story: I used to run our United Way during the 2008 recession. It was a very difficult time and we were worried about our charitable gifts. Amazingly, charitable giving in those years did not drop below pre-recession levels. Frederick’s private sector understands the importance of generosity and serving the vulnerable.”
Another surprising statistic Weldon is keen to report is that 501(c)(3) organizations actually make up the largest share of the Chamber’s membership. Frederick’s Chamber of Commerce is flourishing and dynamic in large part because of the community’s strong orientation toward service.
Connecting Frederick’s Changemakers
The scope of the Chamber’s activity is so broad that it’s difficult to know where to start. Still, the core focus of its many programs and events is providing both the technical support and the community connections that local organizations and businesses need to succeed.
“The only way to successfully launch a business or a nonprofit is to connect with others in the community,” Weldon says. “We introduce our members to new clients, vendors and contractors – and we also advocate for their interests at the local and state levels.”
Chamber members attest not only to the business leg-up the Chamber offers, but in some cases, to its “life transforming” potential. Julie Yoder, founder of nonprofit English with Purpose, can trace multiple contracts and not only new business connections but new friendships to her participation in the Chamber. She also won project funding through S.H.E. Pitch, which happens during S.H.E. Week, the Chamber’s annual Women in Business event.
Many of her recent opportunities, she says, “can be traced back to my decision to join the Chamber and actively attend events… [Chamber] staff work tirelessly to promote the needs and interest of business owners in Frederick County and make our community an exceptional place to live and do business.”
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater feels much the same way. She cites the Chamber of Commerce as “an incredible partner” in the county government’s work, and says that Chamber members “work collaboratively to build opportunity and to help develop innovative solutions to the challenges we face.”
A cornerstone of the Chamber’s work in developing these innovative solutions is its Leadership Frederick County program. With 38 years in the running, Weldon says, it’s already seen most of the county’s current business and civic leaders come through its ranks. Leadership Frederick is nine-month journey featuring both experiential learning and graduate-level masterclasses that prepare Frederick County professionals to become true community changemakers. Education in the program runs the gamut from government and public safety to healthcare, agriculture, economic development and more – alongside assessments and coaching around leadership itself.
Monica Slate, a Senior Manager at the Frederick National Laboratory of Cancer Research and part of Leadership Frederick County 2024, says that the program allowed her to “forge lasting connections with remarkable individuals who are as passionate about our community as I am.” Chenee Beach, Corporate Administrative Assistant at Service Coordination Inc. and also part of the 2024 class, says that the program “provided [her] with a deeper understanding of Frederick County’s diverse industries, challenges and opportunities” and “challenged [her] to think critically, collaborate effectively and embrace new ways of empowering others.”
If You Build It…
Weldon says that he and his staff have big plans for 2025 and beyond – not only shaping the future of the Chamber of Commerce, but contributing to the vision for Frederick County’s economic climate.
“Our focus in 2025,” Weldon says, “is going to be sustaining the workforce in Frederick County. We need to put serious attention into building future landing spots for our young people and keeping their dreams alive.”
He explains that Frederick – like many communities – is facing a workforce development gap. “The old model doesn’t work,” he says. “We’re not setting our kids up for rewarding careers by tracking everyone toward university and hoping for the best. I would like to see us introduce career counseling even as early as middle school, and provide more apprenticeship and experiential learning options.”
Frederick’s Career Technology Center (CTC) had to turn away almost 400 students in 2024 because it simply didn’t have the capacity. County Executive Fitzwater convened a Career & Technology Education Master Planning Group and invited Weldon to represent the business community.
The goal is to strengthen the relationship between local education and career readiness, but also, says Weldon, to “help the private sector understand its responsibility” in workforce development terms. “Workplaces need to evolve,” he says. He adds that there are currently programs through the State of Maryland that will compensate businesses for offering apprenticeship positions.
Another priority in securing Frederick County’s economic future will be continuing to assist with establishing the downtown hotel and conference center. Weldon says the Chamber has been on the front lines of that project for 35 years.
An Open Door – In More Ways Than One
Shelby Maly, the Chamber’s Director of Marketing and Communications, wants to remind Chamber members – and prospective members! – that the organization recently moved into its new location featuring more member drop-in space. The Chamber is still located at 118 N. Market Street, but has relocated to the first floor.
“We have a rental conference room and other smaller drop-in workspaces that Chamber members are encouraged to come in and use,” Maly says. “Our office space is now a lot larger and the layout is more supportive of being a member resource.” The spaces are ideal for meetings or even board retreats, and the office also offers a coffee bar and free WiFi.
The idea of being a resource is something both Maly and Weldon underscore. They want members to know that the Chamber is there for them. For instance, Maly says, one of the Chamber’s lesser-recognized but very important initiatives is advocating at State business regulation hearings: “Rick keeps an open door to members so we can communicate their concerns to the delegation, and we bring a group of members to testify in Annapolis each year.”
Communications at the Chamber, Weldon agrees, are key. “All of this relates to our core values. We try to be an example to our members of consistency and service and challenge them to always be asking, as we do: do. es your brand reflect who you are?” FrederickChamber.org
Key Chamber Committees Initiatives
- Business Equity Coalition: Unlocks the economic power of diversity
- Generation Connect: Builds community among young professionals
- Leadership Frederick: Experiential learning and masterclasses for prospective County leaders
- Women in Business: Empowers women business owners
- Frederick Nonprofit Alliance: Provides resources to Frederick County nonprofits
- Veterans Success Committee: Supports veteran-owned businesses