[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6205359,"mediaKeyId","3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a","parentId",3773001,"title","Votes at a glance: commission approves minutes, adjourns meeting","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",22000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a&start=22&end=22","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a/thumbnail_22000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6205359/Kent-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-commission-approves-minutes-adjourns-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205359-e9a6d32c072b3894c2f986059b53bebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142383&Signature=gTBWx2u9KjhrbsFIytK2wgLLDyoTz8sEVvxB5jj5y4IPq1Zzx5YlKm6XRCHrsSAskmH6ZHrTRBdMUn20f4VyJ9LGEtf9z~CbxbvIRtm7ftRl3Yv5iwe20u616knmIQw0HBbbzUmH0jggFrGEFfB7Tk22zvpI9r84MxPDmYU~arqEBWk6q6~Qhvk43TYwKnYDzPUfOF0I-pJg7bCTriA01BRLLlC-twrMc91EbA252zZxOq0QFeOnvicCKjJvsrPKe-tHe~OaieVL175opNgxz82hn5T5qacEffFeoZQpjbTGPzEg0yvNODj0PQViVuU20itL~Eah9qPx0-EpVw0FnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kent County, MD","date","2025-06-11T17:20:23Z","article","Two routine motions were recorded during the meeting.

1) Approval of minutes: A motion to approve the May 14 meeting minutes was made and seconded. The motion carried by voice vote; individual member tallies were not specified.

2) Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made and carried by voice vote.

Notes: The transcript records that motions were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote, but does not record roll‑call or numerical tallies for either item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06.11.25 ETDC Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved the May 14 meeting minutes by voice vote and later approved a motion to adjourn. Individual vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","Kent County, Maryland","taxId",69327,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6205363,"County website revamp and CBS 'Uniquely Maryland' filming highlighted as tourism promotions move forward",118,1778000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a&start=1778&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a/thumbnail_1778000.jpg","/articles/6205363/Kent-County/Maryland/County-website-revamp-and-CBS-Uniquely-Maryland-filming-highlighted-as-tourism-promotions-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205363-7652593ea077ef97456e097c9d22390d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142383&Signature=GQZH0KdsRd8NpyCaoElUCQqBUr1epDyECJ-xqajovX-zXbvPun5AzC06jvxYPqWAwJn290wkqYLLVUom1Ag4jkAsum0PZ4anJU-gm7ilUxJqJHNwH3~osVT~EWekrzJOTF8I809SIVVCgrcWoSvjI7F3NsepLy4GjLYU~KhcjHYLq97rzLyZBt2fjcp275jzjjosbNe4TrG0KDc7ngTUoU34IIMbDnONY86PfXQysuJntzNtTiB1ZwqdKI0rlvAK03JwIZFaWdWhG4F7BfKdx7k2sue22TAL4~7i1j52-RmHx5aPSLGmZ8v1FHNvJ5Udh9QJggh6~R-z8SM9i4xtGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and tourism partners updated the commission on a pair of marketing and digital projects intended to promote Kent County tourism and improve public access to county services.

Website redesign
Katie Abbott, economic development manager, and IT staff told members that vendor Revise completed development and that the county will take over content build‑out; staff said the target launch is early fiscal‑year 2026. Staff emphasized three objectives: simpler navigation, a tourism subsite with secondary navigation, and improved accessibility (image descriptions and screen‑reader features). The new site is intended to be “bright and clean” and easier for residents and visitors to use, staff said.

CBS filming and tourism outreach
Staff described a CBS feature project produced by Rachel Holt and a New York production team titled Uniquely Maryland. Joanne Rich, a hospitality business owner who was interviewed on camera, said filming used extensive production resources and that the segment will spotlight Rock Hall, Chestertown and Crow Vineyard. Staff said the series begins airing August 2 and will run in multiple segments every other week; the Maryland Office of Tourism Development coordinated the production and county staff supported local logistics.

Why it matters: staff said an improved website will make public information and tourism resources easier to find and that national media segments can raise visitor interest in county towns and businesses. Staff also noted continuing local promotional efforts — rotating staffing at the Kent County Visitor Center and cooperative advertising discussions with municipal partners.

Ending
Staff said they will circulate a link to the county’s new online orientation packet and the county’s “data story” to commissioners when available, and will provide updates on website launch timing and broadcast air dates as details are finalized.","Staff updated the commission on a new county website being built with vendor Revise, an early fiscal‑year 2026 launch target, and on a CBS production — 'Uniquely Maryland' — that filmed in Rock Hall, Chestertown and Crow Vineyard with airings beginning in August.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6205368,"Commission makes housing a top priority, forms small working group to inventory sites and barriers",920,2773000,3693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a&start=2773&end=3693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a/thumbnail_2773000.jpg","/articles/6205368/Kent-County/Maryland/Commission-makes-housing-a-top-priority-forms-small-working-group-to-inventory-sites-and-barriers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205368-2a8ba2a1057a0c7ab683d6c8da9d7499/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142383&Signature=HZPRA-QyQaY5axrLnghXnb5WcCY5-xflby65QBP9-Bj5U2yWw-B2Sm7dyvLkJUaj7zHkjpjXG1RXcID~9G~k49DtLkQyOzKayVcAc5joFduO2JPyiPgI-qkG0XKci2WJ4uVbFSb3Pnunk6MmVIN-dfKeEEEmAo25GBzjwt7iDbPV15hEX6Fce2V71rHHZ-5ClBoCbJpiDjfd3FPb13qBHAjyZULECQwL4rBt7o8QU1~FwwjeRT-hYEPPl4Bh1NIdaAHA0ri34JaaVgOtv-rsByBaYyx00EgotdwVmmbEFJbLVAn70WbQqTTzdI-B-IFXi4g3X43q8M04xY-qWstYYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a June meeting of the Kent County Economic and Tourism Development Commission, members elevated workforce and affordable housing as the commission’s top priority and agreed to form a small working group to assemble an inventory of potential sites, sewer and water availability, and barriers to development.

Jamie, Economic and Tourism Development staff, framed the issue by citing members’ submissions and earlier discussions: \"Create additional opportunities for housing, increase population, attract and retain families, for entry level and entry level employees,\" she said as she urged the group to focus on specific, achievable items the volunteer commission could pursue.

What the commission heard and discussed
- Working group: commissioners agreed to form an informal working group of three or fewer members to research available land, water‑sewer allocations, ownership questions and past municipal annexations. The commission and staff said the subgroup can meet informally (not triggering public‑meeting rules) to prepare findings for the full commission.
- Inventory and constraints: members emphasized mapping lots that are for sale or adjacent to incorporated towns, checking water/sewer hook‑up capacity, and identifying properties that may be held but could be repurposed. Craig Rancamp, a professional planner on the commission, urged starting with an inventory of town and county maps and sewer allocations.
- Existing incentives and ordinance updates: staff highlighted an existing sprinkler tax credit adopted in 2020 and extended in 2023 through 2027 as an example of a tool that offsets construction costs (Jamie said sprinklers add roughly $15,000–$20,000 to new single‑family construction). Staff also noted recent land‑use ordinance changes that remove obstacles to housing, including: the addition of assisted‑living as a use (9–16 beds), a village zoning unit size change (from 9,000 to 5,000 square feet) and an increase in allowed density (from four to five units per acre). Staff said manufactured homes were folded into the single‑family category in response to 2024 House Bill 538.
- Projects and procurement: staff reported that a pre‑bid conference for the Village of Kennedyville housing project drew five interested bidders, including at least one national and one regional builder; bids were scheduled to open July 9.

Why it matters: commissioners said a lack of affordable workforce housing affects hospitality, manufacturing and other employers across Kent County. Commissioner Bob Jacob, a local employer, said some employees making decent wages still struggle to find housing. Members said a small subgroup can identify practical next steps — such as target parcels for redevelopment, potential incentives, and whether infrastructure funding or partnerships might be pursued.

Next steps and staff support
Commissioners asked staff to assemble maps and data and to support the working group. Jamie said staff will check planning and zoning records, utility allocations and past municipal contacts to speed research; the group will present findings to the full commission for consideration.

Ending
Commissioners agreed to proceed with a small working group and return inventory results to the full commission for prioritization. Staff said any formal incentives or policy proposals will be developed with planning and legal review before board recommendation or public action.","Commission members agreed to focus on workforce and affordable housing, discussed tools including the sprinkler tax credit and changes in the county’s land‑use rules, and asked staff to support a small working group to inventory lots, sewer availability and development constraints.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6205373,"Kent County outlines public–private fiber buildout, cites grants and timing constraints",1115,659000,1774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a&start=659&end=1774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773001-6bc417df5ae1f725b3abf4cd95abf41a/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6205373/Kent-County/Maryland/Kent-County-outlines-publicprivate-fiber-buildout-cites-grants-and-timing-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6205373-734505c8722bb0c75d45b9f9f27d68a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142383&Signature=T-GxCFStE6X5OWHqYr9hvYj7un60bLFkBUTwmOeRMAyEd-Q60ldiyyt8IOwcIMUh9gAxaIwtw2-2eOEVi31XvtTLsD-y2VFYtjDf0DqSBhAWAcRFGWhC43eg5dyiaf4QVCG4xs2AmVhtez-a5rF~o61kGc1hjUJRrXPLG-3moAlN48nQhcR3CjD7oYR2agloq9i04qKmWXlopyEV~GVUVeTWfL1QJH-K6IkeXOohO6pKCb3WFxKL86Jg7WxtYiFQtKPxEicK-GGkb2~ANAkKQ52iRg-Ms6Zxl5oN~uc-YD-Bam4myAf3YIonVOSwQQwPVs7EAEWvLQ68eUGKjd03Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott Boone, the county’s fiber project presenter, told the Economic and Tourism Development Commission that Kent County built a county‑owned fiber backbone connecting scores of government and community sites and used a public‑private approach to lower costs for broader buildout.

Boone said the county’s strategy — described in planning documents and local presentations as a “two‑and‑through” approach — paired public investment for government services (schools, libraries, public safety and utilities) with private partners that would fund customer‑facing extensions. “We connected about 54 government sites,” Boone said, noting the backbone already reaches Galena, Rock Hall, Betterton, Broadneck and Quakerneck and that maps and a diagram are published at fiber.kencounty.com.

Why it matters: county officials said the backbone lowered per‑household construction costs in rural areas and made the county eligible for later federal and state broadband grants, including CARES‑era projects and newer federal funding programs. Boone said that approach helped Kent leverage several grant awards and roughly $10–$12 million in infrastructure funding brought in by county departments and partners.

What county staff described
- Two‑and‑through approach: build a public backbone that links anchor institutions, then invite private partners to extend service to nearby neighborhoods, reducing overall cost per household.
- Anchor institutions: schools, firehouses, police stations and wastewater/water sites were the initial priorities because they support essential services and can justify public investment.
- Ownership and leases: the county retains ownership of its fiber bundles on the backbone and enters long‑term leases with private partners for other bundles; Boone said those agreements include rights for the county to use fibers in the future.
- Construction and grants: county staff said the initial build required two years of construction and that the county later used CARES money to accelerate some extensions. Boone said the county has competed successfully for multiple grants but now faces new grant maps and federal/state program rules that can disqualify previously planned areas (for example, when another grant overlaps a proposed county project).

Remaining gaps and constraints
Boone warned that the county has less direct control over final household service as state and federal programs — and their coverage maps — now largely determine which geographic pockets are prioritized. He described a recurring problem in which overlapping grant awards create “donut holes” that can disqualify nearby projects. Boone said the county’s backbone and earlier work made many projects shovel‑ready, but timing and program rules mean some rural campgrounds, Coast Guard Station adjacent areas and small pockets still wait for service.

Commission discussion and next steps
Commission members pressed staff on where remaining unserved pockets exist and on how private providers will be selected for last‑mile work. Boone said earlier procurement used competitive requests for proposals and mandatory pre‑bid meetings; he said the state’s later decisions sometimes superseded county plans. Boone encouraged the commission to review the county’s published backbone map and to direct staff to track grant award maps going forward.

Ending
County staff provided contact information and the fiber map for members to review and said staff will continue coordinating with state and federal grant programs to close remaining unserved pockets. \"It's going to get done,\" Boone said, \"but just at a different timeline than what we had hoped and sort of out of our control a bit.\"","County staff reviewed a multi‑year fiber broadband buildout that connected roughly 54 government anchor sites using a “two‑and‑through” public‑private model, described remaining gaps and explained that state and federal grant timing now largely determines final household reach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: commission approves minutes, adjourns meeting

County website revamp and CBS 'Uniquely Maryland' filming highlighted as tourism promotions move forward

Commission makes housing a top priority, forms small working group to inventory sites and barriers

Kent County outlines public–private fiber buildout, cites grants and timing constraints