is one of the communities in the State which has been most active
and vigorous in promoting its own industrial development program.
With the increasing expansion of industrial activity—and particularly
research and development activity—in and around Baltimore and Wash-
ington, Frederick is rapidly finding itself in the midst of a most exciting
new industrial area. Moreover, as many of you know, there are at the
moment some other important possibilities brewing here in Frederick.
It is not appropriate now for me to discuss this in detail, but I hope
there will be some interesting news in the near future. In any case,
Frederick has many of the things which the new research-oriented
industries are looking for. You have your own intellectual community,
with Hood College and other institutions of learning, as well as a
group of over 100 Ph. D. 's at Gamp Dietrick. In addition you have
the quiet and gracious atmosphere of a small community, and yet
you are easily accessible to the large metropolitan centers of Washing-
ton and Baltimore with all of their research and cultural facilities.
With the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission, and the
National Bureau of Standards and several private enterprises along
Route 240, research institutions are practically knocking at Frederick's
door. All of these factors add up to a climate for growth in which
Frederick stands out as an ideal location for research and development
enterprise.
In this connection I want to congratulate the Frederick Chamber of
Commerce for its initiative in publishing its excellent "Community
Audit. " This kind of well-digested information is exactly what busi-
nessmen need.
In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, Frederick is fortunate to
have such a competent Employment Security Office. It, together with
the people at Hood College and Fort Dietrick, have been of vital
assistance to our State Department of Economic Development. I
might add, too, that the Area Development Department of the Potomac
Edison Co. conducts one of the most effective programs of its kind
anywhere in the United States. Over and over again I have heard
of the value of the accurate surveys they make and of their willingness
and ability to meet with, and work with, prospects that are brought
into this part of the State.
The increasing interest and activity in Frederick concerning indus-
trial development is reflected in many other communities throughout
the State. I take special pleasure in this trend because the Economic
Development Program has been of particular importance to me and to
this Administration. When I took office as Governor in January of 1959,
171
|
|