Executive Gardner Announces Initiatives to Support Craft Beverage Industry
Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced new initiatives to support the emerging craft beverage industry in Frederick County, including the formation of a Food Truck Work Group and the introduction of a new Seasonal Outdoor Activity Permit.
“Great things are brewing in Frederick County,” Executive Gardner said. “Wineries, breweries and distilleries have shown tremendous growth in the past two years, and I want to encourage these companies to flourish and succeed. My administration means business, and we must make it possible for new industries to take root.”
The Food Truck Work Group, led by Agriculture Business Development Specialist Katie Albaugh, will be charged with identifying the needs of the craft beverage industry pertaining to food trucks, and making recommendations to address those needs. It will include representatives from the Frederick County Health Department and the Division of Planning and Permitting. The group will meet with craft beverage businesses and food truck vendors and will make recommendations by March 15.
The second initiative, a Seasonal Outdoor Activity Permit, will save businesses both time and money by allowing them a single application and permit to cover multiple festivals and concerts. The new permit application is available online at www.FrederickCountyMd.gov/OutdoorActivityPermit.
Frederick County is home to the largest brewery in the state, the first farm brewery, the first combination winery and brewery, the first cidery and the first meadery. The county’s Office of Economic Development has collaborated with the Tourism Council to promote the emerging craft beverage industry. Together, they developed an award-winning brochure that features a comprehensive list of wineries, breweries and distilleries in the county. The publication was named the best printed promotional material at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit last week. In addition, www.HomegrownFrederick.com features an interactive map to search for places that make their favorite types of craft drinks, from handcrafter beer, spirits and wines.
