Business View Civil and Municipal | May 2021

124 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL MAY 2021 AT A GLANCE NEW KENT COUNTY, VIRGINIA WHAT: A fast-growing boutique community; Population 23,000 WHERE: Located in the eastern part of the Commonwealth of Virginia WEBSITE: www.co.new-kent.va.us S mall specialty stores, known as ‘boutiques’ have been selling goods to sophisticated clients since the 1700s. In the 1980s boutique hotels – lavish small-scale accommodation – became popular. Now it’s all about boutique living and New Kent County in Eastern Virginia is the perfect example. “I describe New Kent as a boutique community,” says Matt Smolnik, Director of Economic Development. “Those special retailers stand apart from everyone else and that’s us.” With a population of 23,430 and perfectly situated between the two metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of Richmond-Petersburg and Hampton Kent New A boutique community at its best C O U N T Y