While perhaps a bit late in the game, there is no other time in recent memory where there been more intense investment and interest in the economic development with both Kent County and Chestertown, Maryland. Both the County Commissioners and the Chestertown Town Council have now staffed full-time coordinators to tackle that particular challenge with the appointments of Kay MacIntosh and Jamie Williams to head up those efforts.
And slowly but surely, these two agents of change are making a real difference during their short tenure in these positions.
Perhaps the greatest example of this new newly found energy is with the recent addition of Chestertown becoming an arts and entertainment district a few months ago, and now they are leading the current effort underway to develop an Enterprise Zone for Chestertown portions of Kent County. Both programs allow for significant tax benefits for those willing to invest in these new districts.
The Spy, always interested in all things economic development, stopped by the Chestertown Town Hall earlier this week to talk to Kay and Jamie about the new Enterprise Zone proposal, their new positions, the newly proposed enterprise zone for Chestertown, and the new spirit of cooperation and collaboration felt by elected officials and business leaders to move the region to a more competitive position for sustainable, smart growth in the years ahead.
This video is approximately eleven minutes in length
Jim Luff says
George Santayana said, “if you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it”. While the task to be accomplished are harder when it is “late in the game”, it is never too late to start the effort. There is an unprecedented opportunity for the private and public sector to come together and work toward the common goal of economic sustainability. Saving our hospital, enhancing our educational system, and providing high speed internet services to the entire county are three of the more prominent ones. Making the county and towns attractive to young people and families is critical for the future. Rather than lament about the losses of the past, let us begin anew capitalizing on our strengths. Working together, we can make Kent County strong again and more than a weekend destination.