Kent County Economic Development

06/22/2026

06/22/2026

𝐊𝐂𝐌𝐒 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

CHESTERTOWN — Kent County eighth-graders marked a major milestone Thursday, June 11 with the middle school's annual promotion ceremony.
The morning celebration marks the end of the students' middle school career as they officially become rising freshmen at Kent County High School.
Kent County Middle School Principal Mark Buckel and Assistant Principal Kelley Melvin led the promotion ceremony.
They have been at the school for three years now. This was the first class of eighth-graders they worked with from start to finish in the building.
"Today we gather to recognize the growth, perseverance and hard work of our eighth-grade class as they prepare for their next journey. KCMS is rooted in the strength of family, and it is in that spirit of community that we celebrate these outstanding students with immense pride," Buckel told the crowd.
Melvin noted the eighth-grade class also includes the last students she had as an elementary school teacher before becoming an administrator.
"I had the unique privilege of being part of your journey," Melvin said to the students. "Watching you grow over these past several years has been one of the greatest joys of my career."
The ceremony's student speakers were Peyton Queen, who introduced special guests and led the Pledge of Allegiance; Sophia Usilton, who offered opening remarks; Emily Morrone and Colton Watson with the National Junior Honor Society speech; and Caidyn Cox, who gave the student address.
The school's administrative team was joined on stage in the middle school's gym by teachers who handed out awards for the top students in their subject areas.
Among the honorees, Micah Cristobel and Maci Sutton received the Blue and Gold Award for exceptional leadership and citizenship for contributing positively to the school community.
This year's Trojan Award for showing the most growth and improvement during their time at Kent County Middle School was given to Kayla Redding and Denzel Demby.
Redding also received the inaugural Character Counts! Community and Character Award. Presented by Character Counts! Kent County Executive Director Deeanne Jones and Advisory Board Chair Jenna Lechrone, the award is a sculpture of the organization's tree logo that will be kept on display at the school.
The Principal's Award, the most prestigious of the middle school's awards recognizing academics and integrity, was given to Emily Morrone and August Swanson.
In his closing remarks, Buckel highlighted all the students' achievements and recalled special memories of their time at Kent County Middle School.
Buckel said he expects this group students, the rising Kent County High School Class of 2030, to be a powerhouse.
"It was an incredible privilege to watch you grow over these past three years," he told the students.

06/19/2026

𝐎𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐎𝐄 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

ROCK HALL — The monthly meeting of the Kent County Board of Education Monday, June 8 had a celebratory air, with awards and recognitions handed out.
Community members who provided outstanding support for Kent County Public Schools and staff members who are departing after decades of service were honored by the board.
The celebrations began with Standing Ovations Awards bestowed on John Schratwieser and Bob Ortiz.
Schratwieser has long been a champion for the school system's arts programs, providing support in his role as the executive director of the Kent Cultural Alliance.
Superintendent Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas called Schratwieser "a relentless advocate" for children, artists and teachers.
Ortiz is a renowned woodworker and furniture maker. He has decided to retire and donated many of his tools and equipment to Kent County High School for carpentry students in the Career and Technical Education program.
McComas praised Ortiz for his exceptional generosity. She said his donation will allow students to further their education in woodworking "in his spirit and his legacy."
The celebrations included recognizing the seven staff members who are retiring at the end of the year: from Kent County High School custodians Charlotte Blackston, Justine Skinner and Valerie Sorrell and instructional assistant Cheryl Hartmetz; from Kent County Middle School secretary Laura Barrett; and from H.H. Garnet Elementary School cafeteria worker Michelle Atkinson.
Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz was recognized for her retirement at both the board meeting and earlier in the day when she was presented with a Lighthouse Award from Dr. McComas and Director Human Resources Dan Hushion.
Thery recognized Jachimowicz for her dedication to children and her nearly 40 years in education, including 35 years in Kent County Public Schools.
At the board meeting, Hushion said the annual retirement celebration is always a special night.
"We say 'goodbye,' but it is a good 'goodbye,'" Hushion said. "We have seven folks tonight that we will be celebrating who combining their years of experience have over 225 years of service. So that is outstanding."
Board President Trish McGee gave special recognition to Atkinson.
McGee said that during the COVID lockdown, Atkinson was on the front line ensuring that even with classes being virtual, students were still receiving meals prepared by the schools.
Hushion himself was surprised with a Navigator Award from Dr. McComas for exceptional leadership, as he is transitioning to a new job outside of Kent County Public Schools next month.

06/18/2026

𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐎𝐄

ROCK HALL — After being the first student to serve two years on the Kent County Board of Education, Alden Swanson officially passed the torch to incoming member Eamon Lindsay this month.
Swanson was named the student member of the board, or SMOB, during her junior year at Kent County High School and was re-elected by her peers for her senior year.
Having graduated this spring, as class valedictorian no less, she plans to attend Williams College in Massachusetts.
"I've learned so much about myself from being on this board: about working together and problem solving, asking good questions and how hard it really is to run a school system," Swanson said at her final board meeting Monday, June 8.
Dr. Mary Boswell-McComas, superintendent of Kent County Public Schools, presented Swanson with a certificate, recognizing her service to the board and commending her on her integrity and her work representing students.
President Trish McGee said Swanson has been a very strong member of the board. McGee said she watched Swanson's mother, Kent County High School alum Robbi Behr, grow up.
"And now I've watched you grow up," McGee told Swanson.
Swanson was congratulated by the other board members for her service. Board member John Queen frequently referred to her throughout the comments as the "SMOB GOAT" — greatest of all time.
Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter introduced Lindsay to the board as its newest member.
Hemstetter described him as "an outstanding student leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to service, civic engagement and student advocacy."
"I am so incredibly honored and privileged to be accepting this nomination," Lindsay told the board.
McGee said she believes Lindsay will be a great board member.
McGee spoke about how Swanson followed a "rock star" of a student board member, Madison Messick, and carved her own path.
"You're going to create your own identity," McGee told Lindsay. "And in a year, we're going to be saying these exact same things about you.
Likewise, Swanson had words of encouragement for Lindsay.
"I'm really excited for you," Swanson told him at the meeting. "I think this is really a perfect position for you. I know you have such a big passion for student advocacy."

06/17/2026

MCE Women's Business Center Announces Free July Training
https://bit.ly/3Ss09QD

06/16/2026

Help Shape the Future of Rural Maryland

The Rural Maryland Council is asking residents, business owners, and community leaders to share their experiences in a quick 10-minute survey.

Your input will guide legislative advocacy, strengthen program priorities, and inform future funding decisions for the Rural Readiness Program and two grant programs—the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF).

Make an Impact in Minutes — Take the Survey! 
https://bit.ly/43ADYKw

06/16/2026

𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙚𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧

Kent County is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Katie E. LeMaire as the new Director of the Kent Family Center, effective June 3, 2026. LeMaire a decade of experience within the Center, where she has served as a Child Development Specialist since 2015, supervising child development staff, managing programming for children ages 0–5, and leading parent education and support initiatives.

Dr. LeMaire holds a Doctorate in Infant and Early Childhood Development with an emphasis in Mental Health and Developmental Disorders, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. She is a certified facilitator in several evidence-based parenting and early childhood programs and is known for her commitment to strengthening families, supporting early learning, and mentoring early childhood educators.

In announcing her appointment, Commissioner Albert Nickerson praised LeMaire’s dedication to Kent County families:

“Katie LeMaire has demonstrated exceptional leadership, deep compassion, and an unwavering commitment to supporting parents and children in our community. Her expertise in early childhood development and her years of hands-on experience at the Kent Family Center make her the ideal choice to guide the Center into its next chapter. We are proud to welcome her into this important role.”

LeMaire’s background also includes extensive experience in case management with the Kent County Department of Social Services, early childhood education roles, and specialized behavioral support work with children on the autism spectrum. Her broad training, reflective leadership style, and focus on family-centered support position her to lead the Center with both vision and empathy.

Kent Family Center looks forward to Dr. LeMaire’s leadership as it continues its mission of empowering families, enriching early childhood development, and strengthening community connections across Kent County.
https://cms2.revize.com/revize/kentcountymd/news_detail_T22_R42.php

06/15/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀!

Locally owned small businesses in Kent County that provide essential community services, such as childcare, healthcare, and transportation, may qualify for reimbursement grants of up to $5,000.

This program supports businesses that help strengthen access to vital resources, improve service quality, and contribute to the well-being of Kent County residents.

📅 Apply now: Applications are open now through July 15, 2026
🌐 Learn more and apply at: kentcounty.com/grants

Don’t wait — help your business grow while supporting your community!

06/12/2026

𝐎𝐧-𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

An On-Farm Food Service Facility (FSF) is a food establishment located on a working farm that prepares and serves food directly to the consumer.

House Bill 272 (Food Establishments – Lavatory Requirement and On-Farm Food Service Facility License)​ changes the On-Farm FSF license from a limited, 30 to 90-day operating period to an annual license. This change will provide licensees greater flexibility, permitting them to prepare and serve food on their farm year-round. This will take effect in 2027.

The Maryland Department of Health, Office of Food Protection, will be hosting several virtual and in-person meetings throughout the State.

Read more and register here.
https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/OFPCHS/Pages/On-Farm-Food-Service-Facility-License.aspx

06/11/2026

The 2026 Kent County Small Business Community Impact Reimbursement Grant Program opens for applications on June 15, 2026!

Locally owned small businesses that provide essential community services, such as childcare, healthcare, and transportation, may be eligible for reimbursement grants of up to $5,000.

This program, offered by Kent County Economic Development in partnership with the Upper Shore Regional Council and Rural Maryland Council, is designed to strengthen businesses that support the well-being of Kent County residents and contribute to community-driven growth.

🌐 Learn more and review eligibility details at kentcounty.com/grants