Governor Glendening Announces Funding For A New Visitor Center In Kent County

Following through on his ongoing commitment to promote Maryland tourism by emphasizing the State's rich heritage, Governor Parris N. Glendening has announced a $240,000 award to construct a visitor's center in Chestertown, Kent County. The facility will direct residents, tourists and travelers to explore the charming historic district along the Chester River and the beauty of neighboring towns. The new Chestertown Visitor's Center is one of 17 transportation enhancement projects totaling $21.3 million awarded throughout the State.

"This is an exciting project that will bring well-deserved attention to one of the Eastern Shore's best kept secrets," said Governor Glendening. "By highlighting one of the State's first ports, the new Chestertown Visitors Center is an investment in our heritage and a great way for us to preserve our history for future generations of Marylanders."

The new tourist center will be located in the heart of Chestertown along MD 213, a major highway route through Kent, Queen Anne's and Cecil Counties. In addition,

MD 213 is one of the featured highways along the 90-mile scenic byway, which begins at the C&D Canal in Chesapeake City and extends to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The visitor's center, strategically placed in the center of this scenic byway, will provide public restrooms and information about touring within Chestertown and throughout the State.

"The Chestertown Visitors Center will be of great benefit to our town - both culturally and economically," said Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey. "We thank Governor Glendening and the Transportation Enhancement Program and look forward to future partnerships with the State."

The town of Chestertown will match this grant with an additional $427,000.

The federal transportation grant is provided through the Maryland Department of Transportation's Enhancement Program. In order to qualify for transportation enhancement awards, the sponsor must provide at least 50 percent of the project's total cost. The goal of the enhancement program is to assist localities in developing transportation amenities such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities, scenic easements, scenic and historic highway programs, welcome and visitors centers, landscaping and other beautification and historic preservation projects.

Posted: 9-13-2000