Kent County Economic Development

10/21/2026

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
OCTOBER 23 2026 | FRIDAY
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EASTERN

Managing your business finances doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you are new to QuickBooks or just need a refresher on the essential features, this webinar will give you a clear roadmap for setting up and managing your books efficiently.

We’ll walk through the foundational steps you need to get started, including setting up your company, organizing your chart of accounts, connecting financial accounts, recording transactions, and keeping your books accurate and up to date. You’ll also learn practical tips for staying organized, avoiding common bookkeeping mistakes, and making the most of QuickBooks’ built-in tools.
By the end of the webinar, you’ll have a better understanding of how the pieces fit together and the confidence to manage your day-to-day bookkeeping with greater ease and efficiency.

Register here: https://score.tfaforms.net/112?EventID=a10Vt00000XK6EN

10/19/2026

📣 Did you know Manufacturing is one of Kent County’s leading industries?

This , we are proud to shine a spotlight on a sector that drives our community forward:

🎯Nearly 900 local jobs are supported by our manufacturing base, generating around $173 million in annual Gross Regional Product and offering average earnings of over $83,000
🎯From industrial equipment and chemical testing solutions to specialty foods, our manufacturers create a diverse range of high-quality products
🎯Features a global leader in valves and couplings, backed by skilled labor and prime regional access.

Join us in celebrating the precision, innovation, and opportunity that define Kent County’s manufacturing community. Let’s applaud their impact on our economy and our residents!

A new economic impact report shows that the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 (M4) Grant Program is playing an important role in bolstering the state’s thriving manufacturing industry. Designed to help small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize operations, the...

10/17/2026

What does Economic Development look like in a four‑day week?

For our team, it means staying deeply engaged with our communities while pushing forward growth and opportunity across Kent County.

This week, we:

• Presented our annual Economic and Tourism Development update to the Town of Millington. We provide each municipality with an annual update on our department's Economic and Tourism Development activities.

• Attended the monthly Economic and Tourism Development Commission meeting as well as the Downtown Chestertown Business Association meeting. These monthly touchpoints help us share updates, understand business needs, and coordinate support for local initiatives.

• Held the fourth session of the Fall Cohort, Kent MD 250 Citizens Academy, continuing our work to highlight civic engagement.

• Joined the monthly Maryland Manufacturing Stakeholders meeting to stay aligned with statewide industry priorities.

• Provided coverage at the Kent County Visitors Center and participated in the Maryland Destination Marketing Retreat to strengthen our tourism strategy.

• Met with a new Kent County resident launching a consulting business and connected with a major employer’s HR Talent Acquisition Specialist to discuss recruitment and explore new ideas for workforce development.

• Hosted the Comptroller and her team in the Town of Millington. Highlighted businesses, projects, and challenges our small businesses face.

A full week of collaboration, connection, and community impact.

10/16/2026

The Upper Shore Regional Council is developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to enhance economic prosperity and resiliency across Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. The questions in this survey will help us to better understand public opinions about current conditions, needs, and priorities. The survey will be open through October 31, 2026.

Anyone who lives or works in the region should take the survey.

Take the survey here: https://s.surveylegend.com/s/6blf

Visit https://usrcmd.org/usrc-ceds/ to learn more about the CEDS process and what it will do for the Upper Shore region!

We greatly appreciate your time in helping with this effort.

10/06/2026

𝑲𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒔 𝑬𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

The Water and Wastewater Services Division of Kent County Public Works is proud to announce that Eric Thessen, Operator‑in‑Training, has completed the Maryland Rural Water Association’s (MRWA) two‑year Apprenticeship Program. Patty Shreves, Apprenticeship Coordinator for MRWA, attended the September 16, 2026, County Commissioners’ meeting to formally present Mr. Thessen with his Certificate of Completion.

“Eric has earned this recognition through his hard work, initiative, and commitment to learning,” said Daniel Mattson, PE, CFM, CME, Director of Public Works. “Completing the apprenticeship five months early while progressing toward both water and wastewater operator licenses is a significant accomplishment. We’re proud of his progress and grateful to MRWA for helping us develop the skilled operators our communities depend on.”

Read more here https://www.kentcounty.com/news_detail_T22_R52

10/04/2026

Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA)'s latest analysis of county economic development offices in Maryland found a record-high return on investment, with every $1 invested generating an average of $11.67 in economic impact over the past three fiscal years.

The findings underscore the measurable impact of investing in economic development at the local level. County economic development offices play an important role in creating the conditions for business growth, job creation, private investment, and stronger communities across Maryland. These outcomes reflect MEDA’s broader commitment to promoting economic development as an investment in Maryland.

The study was conducted in partnership with the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) at Salisbury University and MEDA’s Public Policy Awareness Committee. BEACON utilized IMPLAN, a regional economic analysis software, to analyze data reported by economic development offices across Maryland for 2024, 2025, and 2026, including jobs created or retained as well as county investments in economic development operations.

Read more about the key findings and what the $11.67 return means for economic development in Maryland in the full press release below.
https://www.medamd.com/news/meda-study-finds-11-67-economic-impact-for-every-1-invested-in-county-economic-development/

10/02/2026

𝐊𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝟒 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐦

ROCK HALL — Kent County Public Schools was recognized recently for its efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism among students.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Maryland State Department of Education announced that KCPS is among the top four school systems in the state for reducing its chronic absenteeism rate from 2019.

"Chronic absenteeism" is broadly defined by the state as a student missing 10% or more of the academic days in a school year at any given point in time.
If a student misses one day in the first 10 school days, they are at that time considered chronically absent. Even excused absences such as medical appointments still count toward chronic absenteeism.

Read the rest of the article here: https://bit.ly/4hWMxHi

10/01/2026

𝐊𝐂𝐇𝐒 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝

CHESTERTOWN — Kent County High School is excited to bring the traditional Homecoming Parade to downtown Chestertown this Friday.

The KCHS Homecoming Parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2, in conjunction with Chestertown’s First Friday activities, on High Street.

Kent County High School student groups, teams, clubs, class representatives, staff and community members are preparing for an evening filled with Trojan spirit.
The parade line-up starts at 5 p.m.

"We hope our KCHS families, alumni and community members will join us downtown to cheer on our students and celebrate Homecoming together," said Principal Kris Hemstetter.

Then come out to Trojan Stadium at Kent County High School on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. to see the KCHS football team take on Queen Anne's County High School for the annual homecoming game.

Tickets for the game are $5 for adults and $1 for students. The concession stand will be open with proceeds going to the Sports Boosters organization.

Kent County High School is located at 25301 Lambs Meadow Road, Worton.

09/30/2026

♻️ Midshore Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day is almost here!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3, 2026! Residents of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties can safely dispose of household hazardous waste for free from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM (rain or shine).

Location: Talbot County Landfill
7341 Barkers Landing Road, Easton, MD 21601

Accepted Items Include:
• Gas & oil mixtures, automotive fuels
• Cleaners, solvents, pool & darkroom chemicals
• Pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives
• Oil-based paints, stains, thinners, turpentine
• Fluorescent tubes, mercury thermometers
• Electronics: computers, monitors, printers, TVs & more
• Usable latex paint (unusable latex paint should be solidified before regular disposal)

Hosted by the Maryland Environmental Service, this event helps keep hazardous materials out of our landfills and waterways.

Let’s keep our communities safe and clean. Spread the word!

09/29/2026

The Upper Shore Regional Council is developing a 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐂𝐄𝐃𝐒 in collaboration with Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties, and we want to hear from you!

Your voice matters. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and share it with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and anyone who lives or works in our region.

Survey: https://bit.ly/4yjRDDg