Washington College Innovation Plant
The Innovation Plant is designed to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity through a bold vision: to create a regional hub for creativity, workforce development, and entrepreneurial growth rooted in the unique strengths of Maryland's Upper Eastern Shore.
Washington College students have multiple opportunities to both learn and contribute to their Chestertown community through the Innovation Plant, from serving as mentors of local high school students while interning in workforce development programs to collaborating with faculty on competitive innovation grants.
Innovation Plant Programs
Mobile Innovation Lab
A collaboration between Washington College and Chesapeake College, the Mobile Innovation Lab teaches basic construction and manufacturing skills for the construction trades. This mobile innovation lab will be a shared educational resource to enhance workforce skills, provide hands-on learning opportunities, support regional economic development, and broaden the reach of the Washington College Innovation Plant. The lab consists of a well-equipped trailer pulled by a truck and may be expanded to include additional trailers for other workforce development and training purposes. The tools and training will be integrated into classrooms and programming across Chesapeake College, Washington College, and local K-12 schools.
Community Innovation Fellowships
The Curriculum Innovation Fellowship program engages faculty, educators, and community experts in creating hands-on learning experiences that bridge academics with real-world application. Designed to foster cross-sector collaboration, fellowships connect college students, K–12 learners, and local residents with projects in technology, trades, arts, and entrepreneurship.
Summer Workforce Development
Washington College students mentored high school interns in the first summer workforce development program, held in 2025. Active public school and private partners, several matching funders, and over 60 internship applicants confirmed that workforce development programming is in high demand within the region. Post-program interviews and learning assessments confirmed that interns gained significant skills and confidence through the program.
Innovation Plant Updates
Hip Hop Time Capsule Paints New Future for Innovation Plant
A vibrant new mural now graces the outside of the Innovation Plant at 800 High Street, drawing attention to something even more transformative unfolding inside and around it: the growth of an inclusive, youth-driven vision for the site's future.
Innovation Plant Project Receives Major Grant from Ratcliffe Foundation
Over $1 million will go towards expanding the community facing work, including a Curriculum Innovation Fellowship Program, at the old Dixon Valve property in Chestertown.
Grant Supports Study of Potential for Makerspace and Entrepreneurial Center
Feasibility study will engage people across campus and the region to consider how a building on the former Dixon Valve property could be outfitted to benefit both education and local business.
Site Transformation
Entrepreneurship Center
With the opening of the Warehime School for Business, the College is investing in the existing strength of its business department and entrepreneurship courses. A dedicated space in the Innovation Plant will allow students and local residents to develop their ideas into viable businesses with collaboration and support from one another and the College. Washington students will help local entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground by contributing their skills.
Makerspace
Inside the Innovation Plant will be a vibrant physical space with access to tools and equipment, allowing increased potential in both ambition and achievement.
Teaching Kitchen
A community kitchen in the Innovation Plant, available to entrepreneurs and educators in food services, will combine with agricultural initiatives at the Washington College Center for Environment and Society to enable a more just, secure, and sustainable food system in the region.