The Town of Chestertown has named local resident Kay MacIntosh to serve as Economic Development & Marketing Coordinator of the newly created Arts and Entertainment District. MacIntosh, who currently serves as Director of Media Relations at Washington College, will start her new job on October 19.
A&E Districts are granted by the Maryland State Arts Council and the Department of Business and Economic Development to spark economic growth and revitalization through tax incentives for artists and creative enterprises. The program was created in 2001 and there are now 24 such districts throughout the state, including those in the Eastern Shore towns of Berlin, Cambridge, Salisbury, Denton, Snow Hill, Elkton, and Stevensville.
Chestertown’s A&E District includes 51 acres in the historic downtown and waterfront area. The designation encourages arts-related businesses in the district through two tax benefits: Property owners who renovate a structure to make it better suited for an artistic or creative enterprise receive a 10-year exemption from property taxes on the value of the improvement. And artists who create and sell their art in any state A&E district will not have to pay state income tax on those sales.
Arts leader Lani Seikaly, former board president at the nonprofit Chestertown RiverArts, worked with other organizations and Zoning Administrator Kees de Mooy to complete the A&E District application. She says the program ultimately supports growth in all sectors, not just the arts. “The idea is really to leverage the arts to improve the overall economy and quality of life in Chestertown,” she explains. “A vibrant arts and culture scene makes more people want to live and work here. And it brings in more visitor dollars as well.”
As Coordinator, MacIntosh will develop branding and marketing strategies for the A&E District, seek and administer grants that benefit the district, help attract businesses to Chestertown, coordinate the implementation of the Public Arts Master Plan, and help plan and market major local events. She will represent Chestertown at state and regional economic development meetings and work closely with Kent County’s tourism and economic development officials. Another role will be to revive Chestertown’s participation in the national Main Street Program, which helps communities improve the appearance and economic viability of their traditional downtown business districts.
The new position is funded by the town and a matching grant from an anonymous donor. Chestertown Mayor Chris Cerino says the experience of other towns indicates that having a person dedicated to the needs and opportunities of the A&E District is essential to maximizing its benefits. “The Council and I are thrilled to have someone with Kay’s talents and enthusiasm leading the charge. It’s a real plus that she already knows so many of the key players who will be collaborating with her. I know she will get a lot of support from the arts and business communities.”
MacIntosh, who moved to Chestertown from Baltimore in 2002, says she looks forward to promoting Chestertown as a great place to live, work and visit. “I’ve had a wonderful experience at the College, and I will continue to work with some of my friends and colleagues there in this new job. I love this community and the generous, creative people who give it such cultural vitality. I think it’s about to rise to new heights as the plans for the waterfront, the development of Stepne Manor, the Public Arts master plan, and other initiatives come to fruition, and as the College begins an exciting new chapter under Sheila Bair’s leadership. I’m grateful and excited to be able to play an active role in the coming months.”
MacIntosh earned a history degree at Randolph Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She worked two decades as a weekly newspaper editor (Bar Harbor, Maine) and magazine editor (Baltimore Magazine and Style), before coming to the Eastern Shore. She is a member of the board of Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s, an academic and cultural enrichment program for low-income children. She and her husband, Bill, have two adult sons.
The community is invited to come out and celebrate the launch of the Arts and Entertainment District on Saturday, October 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Festivities will include a ribbon cutting, music, open galleries, demos by artists, food, drink and more throughout the district.
Scott Bramble says
A great pick by the town! Go Kay!
jenifer emley says
LIKE!!!
Margery Elsberg says
Wow! What a great move for Kay, and what a fabulous catch for Chestertown!
Elizabeth Alexander says
Yay for Kay!