The Kent County Chamber of Commerce proudly announced the recipients of the 2026 Community Excellence Awards during an evening celebration recognizing leadership, service, and economic impact across Kent County.

On Wednesday, April 23, the Kent County Chamber of Commerce welcomed legislators from Maryland’s 36th District for a Post-Legislative Session Discussion at Heron Point in Chestertown. The event provided local residents, business owners, and community leaders an opportunity to engage directly with elected officials about the outcomes of the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Cuff Reed as its new Deputy Executive Director. A longtime resident of Kent County, Kelly brings a deep-rooted commitment to community engagement and a strong background in nonprofit leadership to her new role.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Excellence Awards held on January 29th at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club in Chestertown. These awards honor outstanding contributions to our community, through commitment, innovation, and leadership in three distinct categories. Harborview Farms was named the 2025 Business of the Year, Shore Community Outreach Team was awarded the 2025 Organization of the Year, and Kristen Owen was recognized as the 2025 Individual of the Year.

The role of this position is to ensure the effective operation of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce office. This individual must be both detail-oriented and customer service focused in order to ensure the effective internal operations of the Kent Chamber. As the first contact for members and the community, the Deputy Executive Director will work to maintain a welcoming environment both in person and through electronic communication. 

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce welcomes nominations for the annual Community Excellence Awards, a program dedicated to honoring the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make an exceptional impact on the community. The awards ceremony celebrates the spirit of collaboration and commitment that defines Kent County, highlighting outstanding contributions in leadership, innovation, community engagement, and positive influence on the region.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is proud to highlight the success of its recent community engagement efforts, reinforcing its commitment to "Connecting Kent County" through a series of impactful events.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce its Inaugural Golf Tournament, proudly sponsored by Cross Street Realtors. This highly anticipated event will take place on Monday, June 17th, at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club and is open to all golf enthusiasts in the community. The tournament will feature a scramble format, with registration beginning at 11:00 AM and a shotgun start at noon. Participants will enjoy a day of friendly competition, networking, and fun, with prizes awarded to the top teams and winners of various on-course contests.

The Kent County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a Post-Legislative Session Breakfast Discussion at Heron Point on April 18th, 2024. The event will provide an invaluable opportunity for community members to engage directly with their elected representatives and gain insights into the recent 2024 Maryland legislative session. 

March News Flash from the Kent Chamber with exciting News & Events!

Hilari Rinehart, owner of the award-winning Brampton 1860, a boutique Select Registry-rated hotel located in Chestertown, Maryland, has been honored with a nomination in APG Chesapeake’s annual award program, Women to Watch for 2026, which recognizes high-achieving Maryland women who are making an impact through their leadership, community service, and mentoring.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For All Seasons is celebrating with a focus on the theme “Strong Communities Begin with Connection,” as the agency introduces a range of resources through its Center for Learning to help individuals of all ages, businesses, and nonprofits strengthen their mental health and collaboratively create a healthier community for all.

Jody Baker, Sales Associate with Cross Street Realtors LLC and longtime local advocate for animal welfare, has sponsored adoption fees for four senior rescue animals at the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County in an effort to help some of the shelter’s longest-term residents find loving homes. 

The County is pleased to announce the appointment of Hilary  Siakor-Sirleaf as the new Warden of the Kent County Detention Center. Siakor-Sirleaf brings more than 30 years  of experience in correctional leadership, spanning service in Maryland and the Republic of Liberia, and is widely  recognized for his strategic approach to criminal justice administration and operational reform.  

Friday May 15th and Saturday May 116h, members of Kent Schools class of 2026 will perform The Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition. From the Concord Theatricals website, “Frank L. Baum’s classic and beloved story  of a young girl’s adventure in a magical land has been entertaining audiences for over a century.

The Garfield Center for the Arts is gearing up for its annual celebration of playwrights, directors and actors who delight in the art of the 10-minute play! Short Attention Span Theatre (SAST) offers an evening of 10-minute plays, designed to hold your attention for “just. long. enough.” Auditions for this year’s SAST will be held at the Garfield Center on Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 PM, Monday, May 18 at 6:30 PM, and Tuesday, May 19 at 6:30 PM.

The Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) Women’s Business Center (WBC) is pleased to  announce its lineup of no-charge business training webinars for May 2026, designed to support aspiring  entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of their journey.

Kent School proudly announces the retirement of beloved educator Karen Schauber after 36 years of dedicated service in the Little School. In recognition of her extraordinary impact on generations of students, the Kent School Board of Trustees has voted to name the Little School in her honor. It will now be known as The Karen Schauber Little School.

Kent County is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanne E.  McNamara, JD, as its first Director of Grants and Contracts, a new position created to strengthen the County’s  ability to pursue, secure, and manage critical funding opportunities.

The Mainstay in Rock Hall will present the Brasswood Trio in a special Sunday afternoon concert on April 26 at 4:00 PM. Originally scheduled earlier in the season, the performance was postponed due to a winter snowstorm and has now been rescheduled, giving audiences another opportunity to hear this distinctive ensemble in The Mainstay’s intimate listening room