When looking back on 2015, it was hard to see a Chestertown home run regarding economic development. The marina remains a complex problem to solve; Washington College’s new president has de-emphasised bricks and mortar projects, and plans remain vague at best for bringing hotel rooms and first tier fine dining to downtown.
But rather than see this as a lack of motion in getting Chestertown back on the road to financial recovery, it might be more helpful to take note of the extraordinary energy and success that has taken place to prepare the community for a quantum leap of activity in the years ahead.
That preparation includes the remarkable speed in having not only an arts and entertainment district approved last year but also the creation of an enterprise zone within the municipality almost concurrently.
It also included Chestertown leaders reaching out politically to work with a new governor on capital project support from the state for the marina’s most urgent needs. And it didn’t hurt to see that WC’s president come into her position with such an extraordinary background in finance and problem-solving.
2015 was also a year when Chestertown’s other primary organizations have also prepared themselves with staffing and reorganization to play key roles in its revitalization efforts. The Greater Chestertown Initiative, Downtown Chestertown Association, RiverArts, SANDBOX, Sultana Projects, Garfield Center, and local government are eager to play essential stakeholder roles.
The same holds true with our regional organizations, including the Chester River Association, the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, as well as the government of Kent County itself.
All of this collective work recalls a unique quality of Japanese carpentry, where craftsmen spend most of their energy preparing their tools so they can be the most effective and efficient when executing construction. Chestertown in 2015, intentional or unintentionally, has made tremendous strides in creating or improving their tools for economic development.
It can only be hoped in 2016 that all of these stakeholders and plans can converge into one master movement for recovery. With all the hard work that needs to be done in the future, particularly in securing significant capital, there is a unique need for a comprehensive blueprint that defines stakeholder responsibilities.
The benefits of a collective vision for Chestertown’s economic development are seemingly endless. The roll-up of community capital needs and their costs provides lawmakers, philanthropists, and government agencies with a “big picture” vision of Chestertown’s future than only encourages more investment. An aggregate profile of need and responsibility will only improve funding opportunities and avoid duplicity. And finally, each stakeholder will see that their mission success will only improve through this kind of collaboration.
Some of this are already taking place informally, and perhaps the best way forward is to make the process as organic as possible rather than endanger it to a bureaucratic one. Regardless how the planning gets done, this coordinated effort will still require leadership to make it work effectively.
So let it be wished that all of this cumulative energy, vision, and leadership will come together in 2016 to start hitting those home runs with the beginning of the great Chestertown Convergence.
Jamie Williams says
Spot on!! The foundation we lay today will support the heights to which we rise tomorrow.
Cindy Genther says
I will add to this optimistic commentary, an observation that many of the key players in Chestertown’s revitalization are young people. Kristen Owen, President of the DCA brings energy, vitality and creativity to build community support for local businesses. Entrepreneurs, like Doug Rae and Jaye Owings prove that our next-generation businesses are in good hands. Then there’s the Chamber’s new Young Professionals Network of 260+ members in the Chestertown area alone, who promise to be a strong voice in making Kent County an attractive place for young people to live and raise families. Yes, I’d say the future looks bright for Chestertown!
Kay MacIntosh says
Yes, this special area continues to attract and retain special people. We have some wonderful projects on “pause” and need to raise the awareness, funds and energy that will enable us to hit the “play” button! We are fortunate to have local media paying attention.