County, Chamber Applaud Carroll County Businesses

The Department of Economic Development and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce recently partnered to recognize successful and growing Carroll businesses.

More than 130 people attended an awards program at The Portico of St. John in Westminster earlier this month.

The following Carroll County businesses were recognized:

Agritourism Award--Detour Winery

According to a Carroll County Economic Development news release, Detour Winery is committed to educating youth about viticulture and the natural environment. Private tours of the vineyard allow visitors to enjoy hands-on education, as well as the lavish native landscaping, aquatics, perennials and native wildflowers along nature trails

Though still in its infancy, Detour Winery has become highly recognized with awards this year from the NextGen Wine Competition in Santa Rosa California, the Wine Masters Choice in Baltimore, the International Eastern Wine Competition, the Indie International, Maryland’s Governor Cup and the International Women’s Wine Competition in California according to a news release.

Emerging Business Award--French Twist Cafe

Helene Taylor has been preparing to open her new cafe for some time. According to a news release, she started by taking courses to learn how to run a small business then she attended seminars and worked side by side with pros to become an expert in crepes and coffee. In short, Helene Taylor has spent over two years carefully and thoroughly preparing to open her authentic French gourmet coffee and crepe restaurant coming soon to downtown Sykesville.

Redevelopment Award--Conewego Enterprise, Inc at Taneytown Shopping Center

The City of Taneytown recently completed a major redevelopment project named ‘Streetscape’, a three-year, $23 million dollar improvement to Main Street. While the ‘Streetscape’ project created many challenges for local businesses as well as residents of the town, Conewago Contractors Inc. recognized that this challenging time also presented an opportunity for its own redevelopment of the Taneytown Shopping Center according to a news release.

Redevelopment Award--Jiffy Mart Store 431 Gateway Improvement Project

The Gateway Improvement Program is designed to encourage commercial and industrial property owners along the highly-travelled MD 140 corridor to improve the exterior appearance of their properties and foster economic investment in the area. The program provides the property owner a tax credit based on the cost of the improvement as a percentage of the current assessment according to a news release.

Jiffy Mart revamped the exterior of its store including freshly stained block, a new canopy and towers, parking lot re-surfacing and landscaping.

Small Business Award--Critical Response Management

A relatively new business in Carroll County, Critical Response Management’s services include, planning and administering Public Access Defibrillator Programs, providing CPR, First Aid, and other OSHA training, they monitor for changing science and regulatory compliance issues, review emergency response plans, and provide emergency response drills. In addition, the company offers a number of other services such as security threat assessment, active shooter response training, and mental health first aid according to a news release.

Workforce Development Award--Carroll Lutheran Village

Carroll Lutheran Village employs approximately 470 staff; more than one third of their staff has been there for at least five years, and several have been there since they opened in 1980. Carroll Lutheran Village offers an exceptional work environment and generous benefits including tuition reimbursement according to a news release.

Watch the awards ceremony in the attached YouTube video.