9-25-20

M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Fall Preview — September 25 - October 15, 2020 — 15C

www.marej.com

E conomic D evelopment By Jamie Williams, CEcD, Kent County, Maryland A Rural Community Notes COVID Silver Linings

W

ide open spaces, friendly masked- faces, hospitable

claims filed for Kent County are starting to mirror prior pandemic numbers. July un - employment for the United States 10.2%, Maryland 7.7%, Kent County 7.5%. Prior to COVID Kent County was at 4.3% in March which was .2% lower than 2019. We have jobs in Kent County and our employers are will - ing to train. Industry sectors that will benefit from this crisis include e-commerce, data centers, and inpatient healthcare. Silver linings for Kent County, with the work we have been doing with

broadband ‘fiber’ expansion, data center attraction, and maintaining a local hospital with inpatient beds. While the leisure and hos - pitality sectors have been hit the hardest. We have an advantage. A major portion of our tourism will remain intact. Second homeowners account for 38.7% of tourism sales in Kent County and we have seen an increase in the time spent here. With com - panies encouraging telework, many are taking advantage. We also have a stable base of marinas, a thriving camp -

ground, and hunting and fishing visitors. Joanne Rich, owner, Inn at Huntingfield Creek, and chair of the Kent County Lodging Association states “we have enjoyed a very busy late spring, summer and bookings throughout the fall. Potential visitors are calling to ask about our protocols and understand what to ex - pect when they stay. Our county-wide conscientious and visible regard for safety, cleanliness, and courtesy has been repeatedly remarked upon by our guests.”

Our retail shops have also noticed a shift. Heidi Hood, Owner, Coco’s Pets shared “We have seen an increase in “staycation” tourists in town. Traffic in my store from people visiting from within a 2-3-hour drive is greater, leading to increased sales. Local tourism is a great way to introduce people to Kent County and bring them back throughout the year”. Kent County is open for you! Jamie Williams, CEcD is the economic development director for Kent County, Maryland. MAREJ

places are t h e i d e a l formula for a safe get - away. Just one of the s i l ver l in - ings we have experienced as a result of COVID-19 here in Kent County, Maryland. Kent County is located on the Eastern Shore of Mary - land directly east of Balti - more and is bounded by the Sassafras and Chester Riv - ers, the State of Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay. Over 19 million people live within 100 miles, making Kent County a viable destination, for those looking to safely travel by car. Kent County, Maryland is the least populated County in the State. Offering many outdoor activities that people are seeking since ‘social dis - tancing’ has become top of mind. Opportunities to get out on the rivers and the Chesapeake Bay top the list. Kent County’s Winery, Crow Vineyard, has large expan - sive views of grapes and the charm of an authentic fam - ily farm. Owner, Judy Crow shared “guests can experience wine tastings in a safe envi - ronment and enjoy our lovely restaurants that are offering outdoor seating”. On the employment spec - trum we have fared pretty well. New unemployment Jamie Williams encouraged private invest - ment and redevelopment in our office parks. New retail, new restaurants, new apart - ments, new businesses com - ing into our township;…just some great success stories for our community. Private in - vestment and redevelopment projects of more than $250 million are completed or in development. HorshamTownship remains a community uniquely con - nected to its’ business parks and its’ business community. Horsham Township means business (and we’re just get - ting started)! MAREJ continued from page 6C HorshamTownship, PA: A Community Connected...

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400 High Street, 3rd Floor, Chestertown, MD 21620 410-810-2169 office | 410-778-7482 fax econdev@kentgov.org

• Designated Growth Areas • 19 Million People Within 100 Mile • 5 Sustainable Communities • Educated & Trained Workforce • Access to 3 International Airports

• Tax Incentives • Business Resources • Fiber Connectivity • Interstate Access

• Business Associations • Loan/Capital Assistance • Access to Higher Education

and 3 Major Seaports • Access to Route 301

Visit: www.kentcounty.com/business

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