After four successful years of service and playing a key role in revitalizing the Main Street Chestertown Program, Kay MacIntosh, MSC ED, is retiring this June. The Board of Directors of Main Street Historic Chestertown is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, self-starting individual for its full-time Executive Director position.

The Executive Director of MSC is responsible for the management, coordination, administration, documentation, and implementation of MSC’s revitalization program. The day-to-day operations include but are not limited to: managing the organization’s grant and fundraising program; coordinating the activity of all MSC committees, volunteers and work teams; working collaboratively with MSC District property and business owners, the network of Maryland Main Street programs, and local government and partner agencies; representing and advocating for MSC at public forums; handling or supervising the design of marketing campaigns; and planning and coordinating community and fundraising events.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader experienced in business development. Education and prior experience in economic development or non-profit administration are highly desirable. The Executive Director must be able to communicate and work well with others, including existing and new businesses, other local partner organizations, and elected officials, and have excellent technology and social media skills. For the complete job posting, please visit www.mainstreetchestertown.org/employment.

Candidates should express their interest no later than April 15, 2021 by submitting a cover letter, resume and references to employment@mainstreetchestertown.org

Main Street Historic Chestertown (MSC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and a designated Main Street Maryland program, with a mission to foster an inviting, diverse and prosperous downtown Chestertown.

Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild, certified futurist and owner of Wild Innovation Consulting, will be the featured speaker at the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s VirtualBusiness Appreciation Summit, which will be presented via Zoom on April 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Reimers-Hild will focus on the bright future and tremendous economic opportunities available for those who live in rural America. She will also set the stage for the announcement of the Talbot County Community Impact Awards honoring businesses, non-profit organizations, projects, and individuals who have made a significant impact on Talbot County in the past year.

“The unique strengths of a place like Talbot County provide a strong foundation for a future characterized by innovation, growth, prosperity, and well-being,” says Reimers-Hild. “We create our future in the present moment, and I look forward to connecting with leaders in Talbot County who are committed to pursuing their desired futures.”

Reimers-Hild has been on a mission to help leaders and organizations create greater prosperity for themselves and their teams. Her career path has combined a 25-year career at the University of Nebraska with 20 years of entrepreneurship and family life.

In her final administrative position as the executive director (Interim) and chief futurist with the Rural Futures Institute (RFI) at the University of Nebraska, Reimers-Hild worked with leaders from a broad range of companies including Microsoft and Google, as well as numerous communities, universities, and small businesses to reimagine the future of rural people and places. She also developed methods to measure the exponential impact of rural areas to demonstrate their value in a global society.  Reimers-Hild predicted the Rise of Rural in 2015, a trend now being fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in its 12^th year, the Business Appreciation Summit has become a much-anticipated event for Talbot County’s business community. In 2019, five community impact awards were presented to businesses and community projects. Winners included Frederick Douglass 200 Committee, Out of the Fire Restaurant, RAUCH inc., Talbot Mentors, and Wylder Hotel. Kelley Phillips Cox of Phillips Wharf Environmental Center was awarded the Community Impact Award for an individual. The 2020 event was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We look forward to this event all year,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “It’s powerful and uplifting when Talbot County’s business leaders come together to acknowledge the people and projects that have made a difference in the community.”

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism hosts the Business Appreciation Summit together with the Talbot County Economic Development Commission. This virtual event will be offered free of charge, though registration is required.

For more information and to register, visit talbotworks.org/business-appreciation-summit/or call 410-770-8000.

Downtown Chestertown invites everyone to show their state pride in celebration of Maryland Day, Thursday March 25 through Sunday, March 28. Shops and businesses will be all be flying the state flag.  Wear your Maryland hat, scarf, jacket, mask… and receive VIP pricing at these participating downtown locations: Bad Alfred’s Distillery, Bee Crafty, Bookplate, Figg’s Ordinary, Houston’s Dockside Emporium, Les Poissons Gallery, Riverside Unique, Sarah Paige Studio Salon, The Finishing Touch, Tish Fine Art Plus, Twigs & Teacups.

Maryland Day commemorates March 25, 1634, the day settlers disembarked from two small sailing ships – the Ark and the Dove – onto Maryland soil. The General Assembly authorized it as a legal holiday in 1916. Today, Maryland Day is celebrated as a day of learning, fun, and discovery with events and activities based on exploration. We invite you to explore  Chestertown’s shops, galleries and eateries stroll the waterfront and have fun!

The Downtown Chestertown Association reminds you to shop local and shop safe.
https://www.downtownchestertown.org/.

Even with all of the challenges that arose this past year, the Chestertown Rotary Club is pleased to announce that they awarded 6 local group $11,000 through their 2020-2021 Mini-Grant program. While different in their missions, all are engaged in bettering the lives of families and children in the community.

The Kent County Public Schools Technology program received funding to purchase Sam Peregoy’s “Mobile MakerSpace,” a 3D printing platform with servers, networking switches, Raspberry Pi’s, and programmable LED lighting, for the Maker Space at Kent County High School.

Technology Supervisor William Poore plans to use the equipment to introduce students to new and emerging technologies.“3D printing unlocks an entire universe of possibilities, with students only being limited by their imagination and the size of the printing bed,” says Poore.

Jamisen’s Grace Foundation, founded by Kelly and Jeremy Schultz, provides training for families on safe infant sleep techniques and providesOwlet Smart Sock Monitors, an electronic baby monitor that tracks the oxygen level and heart rate of an infant that while they sleep.

Hope House in Rock Hall, a food pantry partnership, will use Rotary grant funds to install new flooring in the facility, which will then be used as a site to distribute food and clothing to those in need.

The Rotary grant to the Good Neighbor Fund, managed by the Chester Valley Ministers Association, will assist individuals and families with one-time emergencies.

Families dealing with mental illness will be able to participate in Family-to-Family training thanks to the grant to NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) of Kent and Queen Ann’s counties.

Kent Attainable Housing, founded to help address the need for affordable housing, is planning a 10-week education program for first-time home buyers.

Chestertown Rotary Club President Alan Austen noted, “We are pleased to support the efforts of local groups to provide much-needed services to our fellow community members.  Their initiatives fit well with Rotary International’s efforts to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.”

About the Chestertown Rotary Club

Members of the Chestertown Rotary Club are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs and promote peace and understanding throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Chestertown is united with Rotarians worldwide in supporting the motto of “Service Above Self.” To learn more about the Chestertown Rotary Club, chestertownmdrotary.wixsite.com or contact Larry Vetter at larryvetter@yahoo.com or631-406-3155.

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company is pleased to report that it is in the process of assisting over 71 businesses obtain loans during Round 2 of the Small Business Association’s Payroll Protection Program. The funds disbursed by Chesapeake to these businesses, the majority of which are located in Kent County, will help them retain employees and maintain operations. The number of employees impacted by these loans will total545.

Robert Altieri, President and CEO of Chesapeake, said, “We are extremely proud to help so many businesses and their employees in such a difficult, trying, and unpredictable time. Small businesses are the foundation of our community, and they continue to be a beacon of hope. Our community bank continues to step up to the challenges presented by the pandemic and I am proud of our staff.”

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company is committed to providing area residents and business owners a full suite of financial products and an unparalleled level of service. For more information, visit www.chesapeaketrust.com or call 410.778.1600.