Seeking a vision for Scarborough
By David Harry
Staff Writer
Jim Damicis said he thinks Scarborough has done a good job of promoting economic growth.
As a board member for the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation, (SEDCO) he wants to ensure businesses keep coming and staying in town.
Damicis spent Monday morning seeking comments on the draft of a plan to create short and long-term strategies to ensure future growth and an expanded tax base. The strategies will involve town officials, business owners and residents, he said.
“We want to make people advocates for economic development,” said Damicis, who also owns Scarborough-based Policy One Research Inc.
Developed by members of the Scarborough Community Chamber and SEDCO, comments on the draft of what is called the Economic Development Vision and Plan are being sought until Dec. 1.
SEDCO Assistant Director Julie Bassett said she would like to present the plan to the Town Council at its second meeting next month so it can be implemented early next year.
The plan is divided into 10 sections, developed through a process that began in the autumn of 2008, said SEDCO President Harvey Rosenfeld.
Rosenfeld said his participation was limited.
“I wanted to hear other people’s ideas. It was all quite sensible stuff,” said Rosenfeld, who has headed SEDCO, a quasi-government agency, since it was created by the town council in 1985.
Acknowledging the fall has brought some good economic news to town with the opening of the computer consulting and repair office of Plum Choice, approval for conversion of the former Konica/Minolta into the Foundation Center and the proposed move by Marden’s Surplus and Salvage into the former Wal-Mart, Damicis said creating the plan is a unique, important step.
To gather data and opinions, focus groups involving about 100 area business owners were held to accompany the comments received at VisionComments@maine.rr.com.
The section drawing the most response involves how town officials work with new and existing businesses to grant permits and approve plans.
The 111 comments received led to a call in the plan for clearer and more respectful communication between officials and applicants that would better detail what applicants need to do to gain approval from review boards.
The plan also calls for better local and regional marketing of the town and Portland area to attract prospective businesses, but Rosenfeld said he would prefer to keep the economic development portion of the marketing local.
Although the plan calls for luring or developing environmentally friendly businesses in town while also ensuring business friendly ordinances, Rosenfeld said the key will be to determine which areas of town are best suited for mixed commercial, industrial or residential use.
An important, but obvious element to the plan cited by Damicis calls for ensuring quality education.
“It is like saying Scarborough will promote apple pie,” Damicis said about the provision in the report to ensure K-12 education that is “responsive and relevant to future business needs.”
Ultimately, Rosenfeld said he would like to see the economic plan merged with updates to the town comprehensive plan so that jobs with good wages found in town will sustain a high quality of life.
While specific strategies have not been developed yet, Damicis said improving infrastructure, especially in transportation, could present the most challenges.
This is because some of the roads in question are not town owned and projects are expensive.
“It requires large chunks of capital investment,” he said.
Nothing in the input received about creating the plan surprised Damicis or Bassett, they said.
“It’s not rocket science,” Damicis said.
Bassett said the surveys and focus groups reaffirmed much of what SEDCO knew about economic development in town, but she said she was impressed with the expertise contributors added regarding developing environmentally friendly businesses and working within the town energy grid.
“It seems so basic,” Bassett said about the plan.
To learn more about the Economic Development Vision and Plan, visit www.scarborougheconomicdevelopment.com. Comments about the plan can also be left at the site.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
Staff Writer
Jim Damicis said he thinks Scarborough has done a good job of promoting economic growth.
As a board member for the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation, (SEDCO) he wants to ensure businesses keep coming and staying in town.
Damicis spent Monday morning seeking comments on the draft of a plan to create short and long-term strategies to ensure future growth and an expanded tax base. The strategies will involve town officials, business owners and residents, he said.
“We want to make people advocates for economic development,” said Damicis, who also owns Scarborough-based Policy One Research Inc.
Developed by members of the Scarborough Community Chamber and SEDCO, comments on the draft of what is called the Economic Development Vision and Plan are being sought until Dec. 1.
SEDCO Assistant Director Julie Bassett said she would like to present the plan to the Town Council at its second meeting next month so it can be implemented early next year.
The plan is divided into 10 sections, developed through a process that began in the autumn of 2008, said SEDCO President Harvey Rosenfeld.
Rosenfeld said his participation was limited.
“I wanted to hear other people’s ideas. It was all quite sensible stuff,” said Rosenfeld, who has headed SEDCO, a quasi-government agency, since it was created by the town council in 1985.
Acknowledging the fall has brought some good economic news to town with the opening of the computer consulting and repair office of Plum Choice, approval for conversion of the former Konica/Minolta into the Foundation Center and the proposed move by Marden’s Surplus and Salvage into the former Wal-Mart, Damicis said creating the plan is a unique, important step.
To gather data and opinions, focus groups involving about 100 area business owners were held to accompany the comments received at VisionComments@maine.rr.com.
The section drawing the most response involves how town officials work with new and existing businesses to grant permits and approve plans.
The 111 comments received led to a call in the plan for clearer and more respectful communication between officials and applicants that would better detail what applicants need to do to gain approval from review boards.
The plan also calls for better local and regional marketing of the town and Portland area to attract prospective businesses, but Rosenfeld said he would prefer to keep the economic development portion of the marketing local.
Although the plan calls for luring or developing environmentally friendly businesses in town while also ensuring business friendly ordinances, Rosenfeld said the key will be to determine which areas of town are best suited for mixed commercial, industrial or residential use.
An important, but obvious element to the plan cited by Damicis calls for ensuring quality education.
“It is like saying Scarborough will promote apple pie,” Damicis said about the provision in the report to ensure K-12 education that is “responsive and relevant to future business needs.”
Ultimately, Rosenfeld said he would like to see the economic plan merged with updates to the town comprehensive plan so that jobs with good wages found in town will sustain a high quality of life.
While specific strategies have not been developed yet, Damicis said improving infrastructure, especially in transportation, could present the most challenges.
This is because some of the roads in question are not town owned and projects are expensive.
“It requires large chunks of capital investment,” he said.
Nothing in the input received about creating the plan surprised Damicis or Bassett, they said.
“It’s not rocket science,” Damicis said.
Bassett said the surveys and focus groups reaffirmed much of what SEDCO knew about economic development in town, but she said she was impressed with the expertise contributors added regarding developing environmentally friendly businesses and working within the town energy grid.
“It seems so basic,” Bassett said about the plan.
To learn more about the Economic Development Vision and Plan, visit www.scarborougheconomicdevelopment.com. Comments about the plan can also be left at the site.
Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219
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