For Immediate Release
April 2003

Contact: Joe Betz, Ruppert Properties (301) 482-0300
Chad Tyler, Tyler*Donegan (301) 831-8696

GEICO to occupy Frederick Trading Center

Laytonsville, MD - Joe Betz, director of real estate for Ruppert Properties, announces that GEICO Insurance has signed a long-term lease for 63,000 SF in the Frederick Trading Center. GEICO will use the facility for storage of permanent records and archives. Betz notes that this is a perfect match with the space the facility has to offer and that Ruppert Properties is "very pleased" to have GEICO as a tenant.

"GEICO's reputation as a well-known, financially-strong, locally-based company encouraged us to work diligently with them to provide flexible and aggressive leasing terms to accommodate immediate space needs, as well as space for long term expansion," says Chad Tyler, leasing agent and president of Tyler-Donegan Real Estate. GEICO has over 4.9 million policyholders throughout the United States and offers government employee, general, indemnity, and casualty insurance.

"One of the most exciting things about this property, " adds Betz, "is it's incarnation as a multi-use center. The building has gone from single-use to becoming a hub of diverse business activity over the past two years. This is not only good for the tenants, it's good for the city and the surrounding businesses as well." Frederick Trading Center is located at the corner of Route 26 and Monocacy Boulevard, just inside Frederick city limits.

Ruppert Properties has further plans to develop multiple retail pad sites fronting Route 26. Other Frederick Trading tenants include the Monocacy Valley Montessori School and Eldersburg Building Supply.

Ruppert Properties, a division of Ruppert Companies, is active in identifying, developing and managing real estate properties in the Washington/Baltimore office and business market.

Illustration: 2002 concept rendering of Frederick Trading Center by CRE8 Design