Division of Regional Development & Engagement

The DRDE Mission

We will serve as the primary contact point for regional organizations and companies to utilize the intellectual capital of Frostburg State to further encourage economic development in Western Maryland.

Core Values

The Department of Regional Development and Engagement sticks to four key values: Information, Innovation, Incubation, and Investment

Information

We want to prioritize education by collaborating with the region's community colleges. This may include the creation of "just-in-time" certificates, microcredentials or badges in knowledge areas best suited to the needs of regional industries. We will also lead government relations for FSU and explore opportunities to improve the depth of relationships with local, state and federal governments in order to increase the awareness of best practices in rural economic development.

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Innovation

Frostburg State University is uniquely positioned and staffed to serve as a catalyst for economic growth throughout the region. The DRDE office will work with students, alumni, and local businesses to improve the development and application of different ideas and technology in an effort to help stimulate wages and business profitability throughout the region.

Incubation

The DRDE office will leverage the resources of FSU and the Small Business Development Center to support entrepreneurs. A particular effort will be made to encourage Frostburg alumni, including recent graduates, to bring their businesses to Western Maryland or create new ones in the region. Our goal is also to sharpen and support the regional focus on industry clusters identified for their potential in the region. Those clusters include back-office operations for larger businesses such as financial, business and information technology services; life sciences and health care, especially in the testing and development field and regional opportunities in energy and farm-to-table food production.

Investment

Working with private- and public-sector partners, The DRDE will help mobilize faculty, students and staff to provide information, technical assistance and problem-solving services to better implement economic and community development plans and programs. Through those partnerships, we plan to help make the Western Maryland tri-state region a premier destination in which to live, learn, work and play.