Regent Education’s Union Mills Ribbon Cutting, Wednesday Dec. 20th, 2017
We are pleased to share this recent news story where Regent’s ribbon cutting of our new office space was mentioned by The Frederick Extra. Please read a preview of the article below:
Technology Meets History
By Mary Ellen Mitchell
Frederick tech giant Regent Education will celebrate its transition to the historic and renovated Union Mills as the building’s first residents on Dec. 20. A ribbon cutting will take place from 1-3 p.m. at 340 E. Patrick St, Suite 201. Registration is required, see below.
Regent, a tech company started in Frederick, has called downtown home over the past 10 years in offices on E. South St and W. Church St. The latest move is a match that made sense for them – in both keeping the downtown vibe and finding a place to expand operations. Regent provides financial aid management software to higher education institutions across the United States.
Director of Office Operations Cindy Srun has been with the company for nearly 10 years through Regent’s tenancy at the Spite House and Firehouse Financial, and appreciates the chance to work in another historic space. “We wanted to be close to downtown and didn’t want to lose the opportunity to work in a space that provides that charm, Srun said.
“Plus, in the tech world the drive to Frederick is a reverse commute and that makes Frederick even more attractive for attaining loyal employees.”
In early 2018 another downtown tech company, Yakabod , will move in as the second tenant at Union Mills. Yakabod offers software and services in a proprietary product that is customizable and offers secured knowledge sharing for the intelligence community. “We love downtown, but had outgrown our space to the point where staff meetings were standing room only in our conference room,” said Scott Ryser, Yakabod founder. By relocating to the third floor of Union Mills, the company can expand from 30 to 50 employees and has the potential to double or triple revenue.
Management at Regent and Yakabod praise the design and renovation of the old knitting factory, which has retained character of the historic building. The patina of old brick and original floors against a modern esthetic of exposed beams and duct work honor what was and what is yet to come. Both companies sited walkability to downtown as a key reason to move into Union Mills. Regent encourages its employees to venture down Carroll Creek for lunch breaks and meetings. In the place of the former elevator shaft near the reception area, Regent has loaner bikes and scooter that staff can borrow to head downtown.
Regent’s Marketing Director Farzad Novin said the company provides an environment for friendly collaboration. ”Regent worked to build out this space to provide nontraditional meeting areas and to keep the flow open and welcoming.” A quick tour reveals comfortable couches with furniture groupings and big screen TV’s, a game space, plus a snack stocked kitchen and eating area.If you haven’t ventured down the linear park along Carroll Creek past East Street, you need to go soon. In addition to the continuation of the brick paths, fountains and iconic bridges, business is booming at the east end of the park.
McCutcheon’s Apple Products has anchored one bank of the creek for decades at 13 S. Wisner St. with their factory store. Besides new neighbor Regent across the creek, they have welcomed the County Department of Housing and Community Development and Attaboy Beer, a few hundred feet off the creek on Sagner Ave.
“The renovation and occupancy of the historic Union Knitting Mills building by expanding tech companies Regent Education and Yakabod is exactly the type of development and business that we anticipated on Frederick’s east side along Carroll Creek Park extended,” City Economic Development Director Richard Griffin said of the big picture impact of business at this end of town. “These pioneer companies will lead the way for others to follow in the future. Tech jobs attract top talent with above average wages and family supporting benefits. These employees enjoy the amenity rich environment downtown including lots of restaurants, cafés, and breweries.”
To join in and celebrate the Regent Education ribbon cutting, you must register and RSVP by December 8 to Steve Ellis at [email protected] or call 240-215- 6212.