*Originally posted on www.pilotonline.com on 12/7/2024, written by Lindsay Hurt*
Since joining New Kent County as the director of economic development and tourism, I’ve been asked a lot what I love about it here and what makes this community so special.
The answer is easy. It’s the people who choose to live, work and play here, who have built a thriving community of neighbors and businesses alike.
What I’m particularly proud to tell people these days is that New Kent County is Virginia’s fastest-growing locality.
We’re hiring more than ever. Businesses are choosing our county more than ever. And there is so much more to do right here than ever before.
This boom is in part due to the resurgence of the Colonial Downs race track and Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums.
The upcoming Virginia Derby on March 15 is the perfect representation of our continued growth as a county and a look into all the great opportunities that are in store.
As many locals and residents in our surrounding counties know, the races at the Colonial Downs race track were suspended in 2014, to later return in 2019. It’s easy to see just how impactful these past five years of racing in recent history have been.
On Tuesday, the Virginia Racing Commission — which oversees Virginia’s horse racing industry in the commonwealth — confirmed March 15 as the date for the 22nd running of the Virginia Derby.
This will be the first time that the Virginia Derby will serve as a Kentucky Derby qualifier, meaning, the horse that wins is guaranteed a spot in the renowned Kentucky Derby in May.
That’s certainly a name that everyone recognizes, whether you’re a diehard racing fan or someone who enjoys an afternoon of mint juleps and admiring the race day attire.
Without a doubt, the Virginia Derby’s spring running will put New Kent on a global map.
While many New Kent residents often visit and patron Rosie’s Gaming Emporium and the Colonial Downs race track, a significant number of visitors are from across Virginia and the United States, according to public visitor data available from the Virginia Tourism Corporation courtesy of Symphony Tourism Economics.
They’re coming from all over Virginia, from the Eastern Shore, to central and northern Virginia. They are also people coming from places across the east coast who have opportunities to visit other tracks but are still choosing New Kent — including visitors from Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Virginia Derby’s upgrade to becoming a Kentucky Derby qualifier will bring even more visitors to the commonwealth, and to New Kent specifically.
This equates to more tourists and as a result dollars into our county that go right back to local businesses.
It’s not just the businesses directly related to farming or racing, either, that benefit from the presence of horse racing in New Kent and will thrive thanks to the upcoming Virginia Derby just a few months away. From restaurants and wineries near the track, to inns that house out-of-staters and Virginians alike who have made the long drive to enjoy the races, businesses of all types are supported by the presence of Colonial Downs.
As I reflect on this past Colonial Downs season, one of the best yet, I can’t help but feel the excitement for Virginians and New Kent County businesses ahead of the Virginia Derby.
Be sure to show your support and have a great time with friends and family at the upcoming New Kent County Virginia Derby on March 15.
Lindsay Hurt is the director of economic development and tourism for New Kent County. To learn more about economic development and tourism in the county, visit yesnewkent.com.
