The Greater Chestertown Initiative (GCI) announced the formation of a new program – Open for Business in Chestertown – at their May 4th meeting. Open for Business is designed to provide “kickstarter” funding for new or expanding businesses with the goal of filling empty storefronts in the downtown.
Open for Business will invite entrepreneurs to submit requests for funding and through a juried process select those deemed most promising. Awards will be made in the form of matching funds and virtually interest free loans. The first cycle of funding is planned for Fall 2015 although applications will be considered as they are received.
Carla Massoni, who made the announcement at the May GCI meeting, said that she had been contacted by a couple who loved Chestertown and wanted to give back to the community but wished to remain anonymous.
The SFW Foundation (501c3) was created through their efforts to fund these business incentives. The Foundation has asked the Greater Chestertown Initiative to monitor the process of soliciting and reviewing applicants for the program. A review committee will evaluate applications and refer to the Foundation for final consideration the business proposals they recommend for funding.
The GCI, currently chaired by Lani Seikaly is an informal and independent coalition of leaders of organizations both non-profit and for-profit, community associations and government agencies, Washington College and other interested groups and individuals. The major work of GCI this year was to advocate for and support the town’s application for an Arts & Entertainment District designation from the Maryland State Arts Council. Other initiatives this past year included creating additional tourist events and additional Saturday and Sunday activities for First Friday weekends.
The Foundation has already pledged $25,000 in matching funds for the economic development director’s position in Chestertown’s budget for FY2015. The matching funds would move the position from part time to full time. GCI will work closely with the new economic development director to develop more tourist and community events and will serve as the major advisory committee for the proposed Arts & Entertainment District.
Billie Beck says
I was born and raised in Chestertown . What “our” town has turned into is sad in my opinion. Sure wish we could turn the clock back 50 years and have the downtown we had back then. It really was the Peoples town. We had shoe stores, clothing stores, hardware stores as well as other things that brought the local folks downtown. Today, I can’t recall when the last time I was downtown to shop. I’m not in to Art and all that other stuff that makes up the town today. There has always been history that we all enjoyed but somehow that got a bit out of hand. Now days
I don’t doubt that the College owns more of the town then the town does. How nice it was when the town was the town and the College was the College. What a wonderful Chestertown we had back then! Sure is sad today!
Jenn Baker says
It’s time to change the dialogue. We aren’t in a recession. Town is not falling apart. Town went through a lull as did the entire rest of the WORLD. We are thriving and growing. We are a great place to live. We are an exceptional place to start and run a business.
We are a “People’s Town.” As a business owner we constantly balance “what would someone who lives here year round” need that differs from “someone who is here part time” or “someone who is visiting for a day.” We do it through pricing, product mix, loyalty programs, and seasonal discounts. Come check us out, you might be surprised by the diversity of what you can find in the new Chestertown economy. For example…
Every week my bread comes from Evergrain. My veggies, meat, and flowers come from Farmer’s Market, Natural Food Store – and larger items from Acme and now Redner’s too. I buy my beer at Pips. We own the wine and cheese shop so we raid our store for cheese, wine, olive oil, etc. We just bought a thermostat at JBK and are in the process of buying tile from Chesapeake Family Flooring. I set my table with napkins from Poor Richard’s and a tray from The Village House under a painting framed at The Finishing Touch. When I wash my hands it is with hand soap from Twig’s. When I have five seconds of down time and need some inspiration, I grab my stack of cookbooks from The Bookplate. When I need clothing, I peek into Mimi’s (love her stuff) and then into Twigs (love the linen dresses) on my way to get a GREAT haircut at Flow. John shops at Houcks. We do a little online shopping here and there, but overall, we find most of what we need within the downtown community of retailers.
When we got married last weekend, we called Occasions (across the street), the White Swan (next door), and Mark at the Courthouse. Our cake came from My Best Friend’s (next to Occasions). We fed our family with help from Fords Seafood (Rock Hall), the Lemon Leaf, JR’s and the Fish Whistle. When our last guest went home we had a romantic dinner at The Blue Heron. Our attorney around the corner is updating our estate plan and the good people at People’s and Chesapeake Bank are keeping our financials straight (with help from our accountant in Radcliffe Mill). Our artsy friends provided the music as my guests sat at tables provided by the local party rental store.
My customers are poets, writers, historian’s, business people, farmer’s, fisherman, stay at home mom’s, retirees, you name it. The college greatly contributes to my quality of life as a resident and the sustainability of my business. I appreciate the student’s volunteerism, as well as their spending and the spending of their parent’s who frequently visit. As someone who loves to learn – I appreciate that WAC makes lectures, music events, etc. available to the public. Most of all, I appreciate WAC’s ongoing investments in our community. The new water walkway, Stepne Farm development, and ongoing campus building development has nothing but a positive impact on our economy (JOBS), quality of life, and my home value.
As a newcomer, I would describe Chestertown as fresh, diverse, vibrant, cultured, and exciting in a warm, supportive, caring community. From the perspective of this mid 30-something Philly/NYC professional turned Kent County resident I find it to be a place where all people, all incomes, and all backgrounds are welcome.
Funding such as the GCI’s Open For Business program makes business ownership more attainable for all people. I applaud this investment effort as a way to further diversify our businesses community and create viability of our historic district well into the future.
Respectfully yours,
Jenn Baker , Chester River Wine & Cheese Co.
(At the corner of Cross and Cannon in the old Lemon Leaf location…where they didn’t close, they just got so big they had to move to another location)
Stephan Sonn says
This is a nice place to live out an American dream.
Beth Armstrong-Keefe says
Jenn, you are so right! To Billie Beck….Smile….and have a good day!
Glenn May says
What is the application process?
Carla Massoni says
Please visit our website for more information:
https://openforbusinessinchestertown.com/