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Economic Development Committee
2008 Report
I would like to thank the Economic Development Committee members and our planner, Daniel Merhalski for the hard work and effort they have put in this year. We started the year by looking at Farmington as a whole and tried to determine what was needed so the Town could be economically viable once again. We also consulted the Master Plan for any hints on how to unlock this perplexing puzzle. The economic strategies that we came up with are as follows:
- Finishing up the Marketing Plan for the Sarah Greenfield Business Park. We started collecting information and compiling the plan last year. This year it was solidified and presented to the Board of Selectmen for their approval to proceed. Permission was granted and we now have copies available for those who would like information on the remaining parcels in the business park.
- Survey done with meets and bounds of the Sarah Greenfield Business Park. Through the collection process for the Marketing Plan, the EDC discovered that there was no survey on record that showed where meets and bounds had been recorded nor had all the lots been properly pinned. Again the Board of Selectmen was approached and permission was granted to have this done.
- Materials on and around the Sarah Greenfield Property: While strategizing, the Committee heard there was a wealth of gravel related material on and around the business park. Part of a good economic strategy is cost avoidance. Anything you already have that has value is like money in the bank. With the Selectmen’s approval, the EDC asked highway director, Joel Moulton, to dig several test pits to log what type and quantity of gravel material was located in this area. We are waiting for the site survey to be finished so we can calculate the value of the material Farmington could possess by not having to purchase gravel for the projects that the Town needs to complete.
- Access Road at Sarah Greenfield: By collecting the data for the Marketing Plan, having the boundary survey and discovering the value of the gravel material located on and around the park, another step was taken to secure the Town’s interests. We asked to have an access road placed between two of the remaining parcels in the business park. This allows the Town access to the gravel material out back, increased the value for the two parcels it divides and could potentially serve as a through road to Route 11 after the gravel has been mined. A win/win situation all around!
- What to do about business? The EDC focused on the broad strokes this year. First was the Downtown Survey. This survey was created to seek input into issues affecting downtown and what events, improvement programs and/or grants are needed to maintain this area as a vital part of Farmington. We employed the help of the Planner and the Downtown Committee to complete this task. Thank you to those businesses that participated in the survey. The input was analyzed and compiled for future discussion of the Economic Development Committee. A memo was sent to the Board of Selectmen with the results and several proposed courses of action that the EDC agreed were vital. Follow up will come this year.
Secondly, how do we help people who would like to start a business here? Empty storefronts have always spelled a disaster for our little town. We recognized the need to help people be better prepared to establish and sustain their businesses. We invited several representatives’ from several different economic focus areas. A representative from WEDCO came in and supplied us with information about a business development Center they have available. They have templates that we can utilize that aid businesses in getting established, expanding, creating business plans, lists of workshops and funding information. This year we hope to meet with other representatives as well so we can compile all our information to help businesses have a better rate of success.
Thirdly, another area that the Master Plan pointed out was the Route 11 corridor. The EDC saw this as an area that needed attention. We discussed being prepared for businesses coming our way, access management and zoning availability, and decided to approach the Selectmen with a request to have the Planning Board take a look at the possibility of re-zoning Route 11. The thought was to have a more ‘business friendly’ Route 11 while conscientious of the fact that many people use it for travel. Along with the Planner’s help, the presentation to the Selectmen was made and proved successful; the presentation was to go forward to the Planning Board.
All in all, this year was fairly productive. There is still a lot to accomplish and follow-ups to be done so we will begin the New Year with that and see where it takes us.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Proulx
Selectmen’s Representative Economic Development Committee
Margarite Furber with John Brooks in front of his store on Central Street
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