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Author: Lori Crowe

Placemaking in Action: Rock East District

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Rock East District gathers Rockville's artists, professionals, makers and tradespeople in one place

What is Rock East District?

Rock East District is a placemaking project led by Rockville Economic Development, Inc. to highlight the unique businesses, services and recreation assets of East Gude Drive in Rockville, MD. Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach that utilized local community’s assets and potential with the intention of creating spaces that promote the vitality of the people and businesses. Rock East District is also a pilot project to promote local tourism and provide support and recognition to small businesses recovering from the pandemic.

The East Gude Drive area at Rockville’s northeastern city limit has always been a distinctive commercial district of small manufacturers and makers like breweries, distilleries, home improvement and auto repair stores. The area is also home to a collection of multi-ethnic restaurants and unique retailers. However, the area lacked a recognizable ‘feel’ and culture, or sense of connected community. The businesses and assets of East Gude Drive presented an opportunity to engage in community revitalization and the enhancement of community life though the collaborative development of a community identity that visually and functionally markets itself as a distinct and lively area of Rockville.

How did Rock East District project come together?

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) saw led a series of stakeholder meetings to create and implement the Rock East District brand. Partners included government and non-profit entities such as the City of Rockville, Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, and Visit Montgomery. Collaboration among these agencies allowed for the City’s official designation of Rock East District, the placement of branded banners identifying Rock East District as a distinct commercial area, and the creation of a tourism-oriented website: www.rockeastdistrict.com. ( Update: Rock East District information and business directory are now part of the Explore Rockville tourism website: https://explorerockville.org/district_page/rock-east-district/ ). In particular, this effort led to REDI’s collaboration with Visit Montgomery to develop a targeted tourism development and marketing program for Rockville.

Additionally, REDI worked with community groups including the Montgomery County Road Runners Club, Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee, and the Recreational Athletics Sports League to highlight outdoor and recreational assets and activities unique to Rock East District. These groups went on to create guided tours for runners and bikers to discover and experience Rock East District.

Finally, REDI collaborated with the businesses of East Gude Drive, ensuring inclusion in the planning and execution of the Rock East District brand. Partnership with the businesses was key to generating support and participation in the project. The businesses worked with REDI to create of a series of launch events at multiple locations across Rock East District. Businesses like True Respite Brewing Company and the Bean Bag Deli & Catering Company supported the promotion of Rock East District by creating special edition Rock East District branded products that were included in the Rock East District package that was distributed to media and commercial brokers.

Rock East Banners
Rock East Beer

How can I support Rock East District?

Check out the Rock East District webpage: https://explorerockville.org/district_page/rock-east-district/ and plan a visit!

Follow Rock East District’s social media, and share your stories about your time in Rock East District:

If you’re a business located in Rock East District (map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1TlULngSECFB-JhyTUAL0sxq0IXyc4oxf&usp=sharing), we’d love to include you on the Rock East District website! Send us an email with your business information

NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers Wins Legalweek Award

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Named Startup/ Emerging Company
Law Firm of the Year

Congratulations to Shulman Rogers on this award that recognizes its new technology platform designed to assist business start-ups and emerging companies through legal and funding issues. Nancy Regelin, a shareholder partner at Shulman Rogers, also serves as one of the Vice-Chairs on REDI’s board and we are grateful for her continued involvement and guidance.

POTOMAC, Md., July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers is proud to have been selected as Startup Firm/Emerging Company Law Firm of the Year by Law.com and Legaltech News in their 2021 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Awards, celebrating the achievements of lawyers and companies leading technology, innovation and the profession as a whole.

Launched in 2018, NEXT presents a new model for the delivery of legal services to startup and emerging growth companies, through predictable and sustainable legal fees (including more than 75 fixed-price packages and service bundles); access to senior business attorneys; transparency, efficiency and collaboration via a variety of technology tools; and a client-centric approach.

Commenting on the award, Founder and Co-chair of NEXT, Anthony Millin, said, “We are honored to be recognized by Law.com and Legaltech News – and thrilled that our model for delivering legal services has been embraced by entrepreneurs and business owners. We relish the opportunity to contribute to our clients’ successes and look forward to continuing to drive innovation in the way legal services for startups are packaged, priced, delivered and serviced.”

Offering much more than just legal services, NEXT works with founders as a long-term success partner, from the development of a new idea and raising a seed round all the way through centi-million-dollar growth rounds and exit. The number of NEXT clients has more than doubled each year since the platform’s launch.

“It has been inspiring to watch Anthony’s passion for the startup community grow into such a successful and impactful enterprise,” said Shulman Rogers’ Managing Shareholder, Sam Spiritos. “The Firm is pleased to provide the launch pad for the NEXT platform and support the growth of its many entrepreneurial clients.”

Anthony Millin, Founder and Co-chair of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers

About NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers

Through an innovative new model for the delivery of legal services for the full life-cycle of startup and emerging growth companies, NEXT has productized a broad range of legal services and clients receive legal guidance and services through a high-touch, hands-on legal team comprised of senior Shulman Rogers’ attorneys. NEXT uses a robust technology platform that leverages a range of cloud-based technologies and new business models to create and deliver a unique and powerful client-centric experience. NEXT offer predictable, sustainable fixed fee Packages and Bundles of services for a wide variety of legal needs. Contact us at info@next.law for a video consultation with NEXT attorneys. Visit our website at www.next.law. 

Eight Rockville Companies Rank as Top Workplaces in 2021

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Despite the most challenging year in recent history, 200 companies located in the Washington, D.C. metro area ranked on The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces 2021. Ranked solely by employees, more than 65,000 survey responses were collected to determine the rankings. Survey feedback also provided insights into specific workplace attributes. 

We’re thrilled that eight companies headquartered in Rockville earn a spot on this year’s list. We congratulate them for their dedication to investing in positive workplaces, even during challenging times.

View the full Top Workplaces 2021 list here.

Learn about the methodology behind this year’s rankings. 

Congratulations to the eight Rockville companies who made this year’s list (highlighted below by company size). 

Large Companies

#31. The Emmes Company

Emmes is a full-service clinical research organization that provides clinical trial support to clinicians, biomedical scientists and health administrators. More than 2,000 clinical studies have been conducted across therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, vaccines, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, and maternal and child health. 

Medium Companies

#39. Aronson LLC

Aronson is an accounting and consulting firm that serves a variety of industries, including government contracting, technology, professional services, nonprofits, construction and real estate. Established in 1962, the firm has about 270 employees. 

#46. Regenxbio

Regenxbio is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm that develops gene therapy products to treat retinal, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2009, the company, based in Rockville, Md., has about 300 local employees. 

#59. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a trade association that is responsible for credentialing audiologists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language and hearing scientists.

Small Companies

#6. MassMutual Greater Washington

MassMutual Greater Washington, a life insurance and investment firm, develops specialized financial and retirement plans for individuals and organizations. Officials describe their approach to financial planning as client-centric and geared toward providing appropriate recommendations from a range of quality companies. 

#18.  FitzGerald Financial Group

FitzGerald Financial Group, a mortgage lender, has been operating since 2007. The lender, a division of TowneBank Mortgage, has 17 locations in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Florida. 

#31.  Apex Home Loans

Apex Home Loans is a mortgage lender licensed in the District, Maryland, Virginia and eight other states in the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic region. Apex’s benefits include four weeks of paid parental leave and a 10 percent 401(k) match. 

#80.  Sparks Group

Sparks Group is a staffing and recruiting firm that provides temporary staffing and full-time recruiting services in human resources, accounting and finance, information technology, marketing, administrative support and other areas. Established in 1970, the firm has 60 local employees.

REDI Issues Request for Proposal for Survey & Analysis Services

Posted on by Lori Crowe

RFP Submittals Due on July 16, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is soliciting competitive proposals to conduct two surveys:

  1. one focused on businesses in Rockville; and 
  2. one focused on site selectors, brokers & developers. 

REDI desires to enter into a professional services contract with a qualified individual or firm who can demonstrate competency and experience in conducting such surveys, including the design, development, administration, and interpretation of results. Click the link below to download complete project  information.

Project RFP Submittal Information Summary

Project FAQs

RFP Questions

Click Here to Review Project FAQs

REDI answered RFP questions that were received by July 7, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. (ET). Click the link above to read the answers to the submitted questions.  

RFP Submissions
RFP submissions must be received by Friday, July 16, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. (ET) to be considered. Email proposals to Richelle Wilson at Richelle@RockvilleREDI.org with the subject line “Proposal for RFP, Business Surveys.” 

Seeking Talented Communications Professionals to Join REDI Team

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Apply Today! 

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is accepting applications for two communications positions to join its Rockville-based team.

Position #1: Communications Manager for REDI, a public-private partnership formed in 1997 to strengthen and broaden the City of Rockville’s economic base through business entrepreneurship, expansion, retention, and recruitment programs.

Position #2: Marketing & Communications Manager for Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC), a special REDI initiative that helps female and minority entrepreneurs and small businesses create and grow successful, sustainable enterprises that stimulate job growth and overall economic development.

Click the links below to view the job descriptions, benefits information, and how to apply for these great opportunities.

REDI Communications Manager Job Description

MWBC Marketing Communications Manager Job Description

Protecting Area Employers: Cybersecurity Roundtable Provides Insightful Advice

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Panel Experts Offer Important Tips to Protect Against Cyber-threats in Latest Roundtable Event  

Latest Virtual Roundtable Recap and Resources Available Now

Watch to the full recording here.

On Thursday, May 6, Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) and Rockville Chamber of Commerce presented a virtual roundtable discussion entitled “New Cyber-threats in the Next Normal: Issues Employers Need to Address as Work Environments Evolve.”

Part of the ongoing series created by the REDI Workforce Education Committee, the roundtable event drew its highest registration to date and featured five expert cybersecurity panelists who offered a variety of valuable insights to employers and individuals to help them understand the growing complexity and necessity for proper cybersecurity in place. Our experts discussed cybersecurity to protect a variety of data including proprietary bio data, employee information, banking and health information, and more. 

Additionally, panelists and other experts provided resources to help businesses identify, address, and resolve any cybersecurity issues. These can be downloaded here:

Cybersecurity_Tips_Resources_Handout_FINAL

CIS_Cyber-Geofencing Security Architecture Technical White Paper 2021

Featured Panelists

  • Joe Roundy, CISSP, Cybersecurity Program Manager at Montgomery College (Moderator)
  • Harry Perper, Principal Cybersecurity Technologist, MITRE
  • Mark Meszaros, CEO, vCIO, at Digital Industry
  • Alexander Stolz, North American Business Head, Ekran System
  • Tom Breeden, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Baltimore Cyber 2

About Our Panel

Joe Roundy
Harry Perper
Mark Meszaros
Tom Breeden

Joe Roundy, CISSP, Cybersecurity Program Manager at Montgomery College, manages the College’s new cybersecurity lab, works with faculty and staff to develop and managing the new cybersecurity lab and Networking curricula, and oversees outreach activities including competitions and training opportunities developed with industry partners. Prior to this position, Joe was the Manager of IT Security for Montgomery College, managing the team of security engineers responsible for the IT security of systems and network within the College environment. He has also worked as security analyst at the House of Representatives and FINRA, and managed the Security practice for International Network Services and large networking and security consulting firm.

Harry Perper is a Principal Cybersecurity Technologist at The MITRE Corporation. In his role, Harry contributes his expertise to multiple projects including technology research and critical infrastructure cybersecurity guidance. He led teams at the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, creating reference architectures and example implementations for the energy and financial sectors. He has also led teams evaluating a range of cybersecurity technologies. He is a frequent speaker at cybersecurity events, including RSAC, GridSecCon, ProtectOurPower, and FS-ISAC. Prior to joining MITRE, Harry worked in the telecommunications industry in various capacities including operations, engineering, and marketing. 

Mark Meszaros is a corporate leader with 25 years of experience in guiding businesses in their IT landscape and Operations. He has overseen, engineered and developed service offerings in the areas of Voice and Data Communications, Cyber Security and Compliance Management. These have included service for small and medium companies as well as global corporate network environments, application service hosting, and cloud-based service environments. International experience includes projects in many countries and regions in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Mark is presently the CEO for a Silver Spring, MD-based Managed Service Provider, Digital Industry, whose focus is predominately the SMB market in the Washington DC area. 

Supervisory Special Agent Tom Breeden entered on duty at the FBI in 2008. He has worked a variety of investigations since entering the FBI, but never left cyber throughout his almost 13 year career. He has served the FBI in divisions of Jacksonville, Philadelphia, the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, and FBI Cyber Division before he was chosen to lead the Cyber Criminal squad in Baltimore in 2020. From 2017-2020, SSA Breeden led and coordinated the FBI effort to counter botnets established by cyber criminals. SSA Breeden was nominated for the Attorney General’s award for his work against this threat. He enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with his family, and digging through log files to find that golden nugget that solves the case! He has a B.S. degree in Agriculture and a M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology from the University of Tennessee.

Presented By:

Join REDI’s Next Virtual Roundtable Event on May 6

Posted on by Lori Crowe

New Cyber-threats in the Next Normal: 
Issues Employers Need to Address as Work Environments Evolve

A Virtual Roundtable Via Zoom
Thursday, May 6, 2021, from 12:00 until 1:30 p.m.
Register Now

Presented by:
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) 
and
Rockville Chamber of Commerce

Rockville Economic Development Inc.’s Workforce Education Committee, in partnership with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to present the next virtual roundtable in its series:

New Cyber-threats in the Next Normal: Issues Employers Need to Address as Work Environments Evolve

We’re delighted to have Joe Roundy, CISSP, Cybersecurity Program Manager at Montgomery College, to lead our conversation, which is designed to help employers understand the growing complexity and necessity for proper cybersecurity in place. Our experts will also discuss cybersecurity to protect a variety of data including proprietary bio data, employee information, banking and health information. 

Mr. Roundy will facilitate a panel discussion that includes these cyber professionals:

  • Harry Perper, Principal Cybersecurity Technologist, MITRE
  • Mark Meszaros, CEO, vCIO, at Digital Industry
  • Alexander Stolz, North American Business Head, Ekran System
  • Tom Breeden, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Baltimore Cyber 2

Register in advance for this meeting (enter name and email):

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckc-2opjgrG9bctdpVLCoiD1_w3w4245–

Make plans now to attend the next virtual roundtable to learn more about this timely and critical business issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Feel free to share this with anyone you think may benefit from this discussion. Questions? Contact Cindy Rivarde at cindy@rockvilleredi.org.

About Our Panel

Joe Roundy
Harry Perper
Mark Meszaros
Alexander Stolz
Tom Breeden

Joe Roundy, CISSP, Cybersecurity Program Manager at Montgomery College, manages the College’s new cybersecurity lab, works with faculty and staff to develop and managing the new cybersecurity lab and Networking curricula, and oversees outreach activities including competitions and training opportunities developed with industry partners. Prior to this position, Joe was the Manager of IT Security for Montgomery College, managing the team of security engineers responsible for the IT security of systems and network within the College environment. He has also worked as security analyst at the House of Representatives and FINRA, and managed the Security practice for International Network Services and large networking and security consulting firm.

Harry Perper is a Principal Cybersecurity Technologist at The MITRE Corporation. In his role, Harry contributes his expertise to multiple projects including technology research and critical infrastructure cybersecurity guidance. He led teams at the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, creating reference architectures and example implementations for the energy and financial sectors. He has also led teams evaluating a range of cybersecurity technologies. He is a frequent speaker at cybersecurity events, including RSAC, GridSecCon, ProtectOurPower, and FS-ISAC. Prior to joining MITRE, Harry worked in the telecommunications industry in various capacities including operations, engineering, and marketing. 

Mark Meszaros is a corporate leader with 25 years of experience in guiding businesses in their IT landscape and Operations. He has overseen, engineered and developed service offerings in the areas of Voice and Data Communications, Cyber Security and Compliance Management. These have included service for small and medium companies as well as global corporate network environments, application service hosting, and cloud-based service environments. International experience includes projects in many countries and regions in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Mark is presently the CEO for a Silver Spring, MD-based Managed Service Provider, Digital Industry, whose focus is predominately the SMB market in the Washington DC area. 

Alexander Stolz graduated from the University of Edinburgh, in the UK, in 2015 with a joint master’s with honours degree in politics and energy economics. After working for several years internationally in the entrepreneurship scene, Alexander moved back to the Washington D.C. area. Alexander joined Ekran System, a cybersecurity firm focusing on the insider threat APT detection. He handles all business aspects for Ekran Systems in North America. Cybersecurity and data privacy are extremely important topics in both Alexander’s professional and personal life and he is keen to share this information in order to help people protect themselves.

Supervisory Special Agent Tom Breeden entered on duty at the FBI in 2008. He has worked a variety of investigations since entering the FBI, but never left cyber throughout his almost 13 year career. He has served the FBI in divisions of Jacksonville, Philadelphia, the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, and FBI Cyber Division before he was chosen to lead the Cyber Criminal squad in Baltimore in 2020. From 2017-2020, SSA Breeden led and coordinated the FBI effort to counter botnets established by cyber criminals. SSA Breeden was nominated for the Attorney General’s award for his work against this threat. He enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with his family, and digging through log files to find that golden nugget that solves the case! He has a B.S. degree in Agriculture and a M.S. in Entomology and Plant Pathology from the University of Tennessee.

Presented By:

Second Rockville Business Forum to be Held on March 29

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Local Businesses Invited to Join Conversation About Existing Needs and Available Resources

A Virtual Discussion Via Zoom
Monday, March 29, 2021, from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m.
Register Now

Second Rockville Business Forum will Discuss Available Resources and Offer Opportunity for Businesses to Discuss Their Needs

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous stress on local businesses, and the City of Rockville has partnered with the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), and Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) to help.

Business operators will be able to discover resources and discuss their needs at the virtual Rockville Business Forum, 9-10 a.m. Monday, March 29.

The city, REDI, MWBC and the Chamber of Commerce will discuss services they provide to support businesses. Businesses will learn how the city can help with permitting requirements and other business needs, and about available financial resources. Businesses will also be able to ask questions to and discuss needs with the panel of experts.

The forum will be held via Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting (enter name and email):

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIoduqqqDovHtYGn-mG1bsZ7GOZ3RBaompR

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Feel free to share this event with anyone you think may benefit from the discussion.

For more information, email Lori Crowe at REDI.

Join REDI’s Next Virtual Event on March 10

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Turbulence on Re-entry—Employers, Employees and the Vaccine

A Virtual Roundtable Via Zoom
Wednesday, March 10, 2021, from 12:00 until 1:30 p.m.
Register Now

Rockville Economic Development Inc.’s Workforce Education Committee presents the next virtual roundtable in its series:

Turbulence on Re-entry—Employers, Employees and the Vaccine

We’re delighted to have Michael Gottlieb, attorney and founder of Momentum Law Group, to lead our conversation, which is designed to help employers consider the issues that will arise as they ease back into the workplace and bring back jobs that do not work as well in a completely, virtual environment.  Further, the roundtable will examine the legal issues with requiring/encouraging employees to get vaccinated.

Mr. Gottlieb will facilitate a panel discussion that includes these professionals, representing clinical, legal and human resources perspectives:

  • Dr. Joe Sliman, Chief Medical Officer, The Emmes Company
  • Dr. Arlene Pietranton, Chief Executive Officer, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Lynn Perry Parker, Attorney & Founder, LPP Law
  • Jennifer Hester, Chief Human Resources Officer, The Emmes Company 

Register in advance for this meeting (enter name and email):

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlduuqpz4rGdfiQOUOmJUxr0o7D-C0SnEq

Make plans now to attend the next virtual roundtable to learn more about this timely workforce and employment issue.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

Feel free to share this with anyone you think may benefit from this discussion. Questions? Contact Cindy Rivarde at cindy@rockvilleredi.org.

About Our Panel

Click on the images below to learn more about our esteemed panelists. 

Michael Gottlieb, Moderator
Dr. Joe Sliman
Dr. Arlene Pietranton
Lynn Perry Parker
Jennifer Hester

SBA Paycheck Protection Program

Posted on by Lori Crowe

Our friends at the Rockville Chamber of Commerce have put together detailed information about the PPP for businesses.

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Update – Saturday, January 23, 2021

SBA, in continuing established communications messaging, provides the following:

SBA is receiving a significant number of questions from lenders regarding the revised rules on First Draw PPP loans, First Draw Loan Increases, Second Draw PPP loans, and streamlined Forgiveness.  SBA wants to assure all participants and their small business customers that we understand that there are many changes that businesses have undergone since the beginning of the pandemic in order to maintain operations and continue employing America’s workers.  These changes may include entity size, location or staffing, methods of operation, organizational structure, and changes in ownership.  SBA is working with national lender trade associations and stakeholder groups along with lenders to identify these potential program and system updates.    Your partnership, commitment, input and patience greatly assist in this effort. 

SBA is providing this information along with recently released additional PPP guidance and resources. To assist lenders in how to best access PPP as amended by the Economic Aid Act, here are a couple of reminders related to existing program guidance:  

Reminder – First Draw PPP Loans Under Review May Be Delayed Getting Second Draw PPP Loan number

As described in SBA’s interim final rule on SBA Loan Review Procedures and Related Borrower and Lender Responsibilities, SBA may review any PPP loan, of any size, at any time, as the Administrator deems appropriate.  If a borrower’s First Draw PPP Loan is under review by SBA for any reason, including if information in SBA’s possession indicates that the borrower may have been ineligible for the First Draw PPP Loan it received or for the loan amount it received, the lender will receive notification from SBA when the lender submits an application for a guaranty of a Second Draw PPP Loan, and will not receive an SBA loan number until the issue related to the unresolved borrower’s First Draw PPP Loan is resolved.  SBA is working to improve the information provided to lenders about the issues and how lenders can help clear issues as expeditiously as possible.

Reminder – Second Draw loan applications require an SBA loan number used for the First Draw PPP loan that was originated in 2020.  Please verify that the applicant has the correct SBA loan number, and the correct Borrower TIN to assure that the portal can match up the two loans.

Recent Guidance Issued:

For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PPP or Treasury.gov/CARES.