Whether it’s the President detailing the State of the Union, or the governor opining on the State of the State, such annual addresses seldom generate the kind of excitement one could find Thursday night in Kennett Square at the Market at Liberty Place.
David B. Myers, president of Historic Kennett Square, began the “State of the Downtown” presentation by highlighting some of the accomplishments of 2014. They included $1.2 million in economic development, seven new businesses, and a host of new partnerships and marketing promotions.
He said one of them involves Visit Philly, a regional tourism agency that chose Kennett Square to launch “Towns of the Philadelphia Countryside,” a new marketing campaign. “Even Philadelphia recognizes the benefits that Kennett brings to the community,” Myers said.
During the holiday season, the borough partnered with Longwood Gardens, which offered a shuttle every Saturday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 27 so that guests who pre-registered could shop and dine in the borough before or after visiting the gardens.
Marnie Conley, Longwood’s marketing director and a board member of Historic Kennett Square, said the initiative was so successful that Longwood can’t wait to repeat it. “Our guests loved it,” she said, adding that after the second Saturday, word spread and it sold out.
Myer’s litany of borough accomplishments set the stage for Commissioners’ Chairman Terence Farrell, the event’s keynote speaker. Farrell noted that Kennett’s successes mirror those of the county, which can boast that it’s “the healthiest, wealthiest, and best educated” in the state.
Identifying a common strategy, Farrell said, “We both plan. We do a lot of planning.” He explained that it takes foresight to create the infrastructure that will attract developers.
He said the county has provided nearly $3.8 million in grants to Kennett Square, which is hoping for another $956,000 to improve the streetscape near Magnolia Place, a $45 million mixed use development at the western edge of town. Farrell said that although the grant applications are competitive, Kennett has an edge. “We do like to allocate money where money is well spent,” he said.
Farrell pointed to another of Kennett’s assets: its people. “Without the passion in your hearts, not just the vision, none of this would have ever happened,” he said.
Myers said he expects 2015 to produce more achievements. He said the upcoming 2015 Kennett Winterfest is already sold out, and the Victory Brewing Company, which will occupy the ground floor of the Magnolia Place apartment building, is scheduled to open within weeks. And the Kennett Brewing Company is coming to South Broad Street.
“I thank you for making Kennett a great place to live, work, and play,” Myers said, expressing gratitude to the staff and residents who contribute to the borough’s positive vibe.
Mary Hutchins, executive director of Historic Kennett Square, said she shared Myers’ optimism. She said the fact that businesses are eager to come to Kennett Square not only keeps the vacancy rate low – “one of the lowest in the state” - but also fuels enthusiasm.
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