Innovation Plant Receives Major Grant from Ratcliffe Foundation 

Washington College has secured a significant boost for its Innovation Plant project, thanks to a generous $1,846,000 grant from the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation. The funds will be used to renovate a portion of the historic Dixon Valve property on High Street in Chestertown, creating a collaborative space for students, entrepreneurs, and community members to engage, innovate and grow as makers and entrepreneurs. 

The Innovation Plant, a long-awaited project that will expand the capabilities and reach of the College’s current maker and entrepreneurship initiatives, aims to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. It will provide a community-facing space for individuals to develop new ideas, build prototypes, and potentially launch small businesses. The project aligns with the Ratcliffe Foundation’s mission of expanding economic opportunity and job creation in local communities. 

“We are thrilled to receive this substantial grant from the Ratcliffe Foundation,” said President Mike Sosulski. “Their impressive support will enable us to transform a portion of what was a historic but long unused property into a vibrant hub of innovation and creativity for Kent County and the Eastern Shore. Continuing to invest in and expand the opportunities available for our community and our students remains a priority for Washington College.”  

The Innovation Plant will offer a variety of resources, including a mobile innovation lab, community engagement opportunities, and paid internships for students. The Ratcliffe grant will fund the first phase of building renovations, continued gathering of community input, the mobile lab, and an investment in creating high school and college curriculums, known as the Curriculum Innovation Fellowship Program, that will provide for teaching stipends and educational supplies for teachers at Washington College, Chesapeake College, and local schools including Kent County High School, as well as mentorship organizations to help students make full use of the new resources. 

The mobile lab will serve as a free tool-lending library and classroom, providing basic carpentry, construction and yard working tools to community, campus, and nonprofit participants to be used for home improvement, neighborhood beautification, and small business projects. The Innovation Plant will provide valuable hands-on experience and support for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the Upper Eastern Shore region. 

Chestertown Mayor David Foster called the planned space a “game changer for the community” at the project’s outset. 

“It will attract talented individuals, stimulate economic growth, and enhance our reputation as a center for innovation,” he said. 

Over the past year, the College has held public meetings, community surveys, and focus groups with over 700 participants to incorporate a diverse array of voices from the local community into the plans for the Dixon Valve property. Washington College will continue to engage the community to gather input and ensure that the Innovation Plant meets stakeholder needs. 

Earlier this year, the Innovation Plant project also received a second grant from TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, as part of their Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program.