Building on a long history of collaboration in areas vital to both communities, the towns of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor are now working together under a new cooperative agreement to promote economic growth and prosperity in the greater Boothbay peninsula.

Approved in July, 2015 by both towns, the new Joint Economic Development Committee (JEDC) includes for-profit and nonprofit business leaders, representatives of both towns and a representative from the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce. The JEDC also includes two volunteer representatives from Southport. The focus of the committee is to create an economic development strategy for the region that builds on the unique aspects of the Boothbay peninsula, and to promote economic growth in ways that preserve the quality of life for our residents.

Meeting twice a month since August, 2015, the JEDC began its work by reviewing the newly approved long-range comprehensive plans adopted by Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor to identify areas of mutual interest for economic development that were consistent across the region. This information helped the group develop a committee charter and identify key opportunities to coordinate and leverage creative ideas, build local assets and work with both public and private resources to promote the growth of new and existing businesses.

JEDC members also reached out to have one-on-one interviews with a diverse group of local business owners. The goal of this outreach was to solicit their perspectives on what the regional assets are that attracted their business and identify barriers and ongoing issues that either help or hinder economic growth.

“The business owners I interviewed were excited to hear about the two towns working together on joint economic development efforts,” said JEDC Co-Chair Abbe Levin. “The information gathered through this process will be invaluable as we look at how best to focus our efforts to help strengthen local businesses and where opportunities for growth exist.”

A summary of the feedback from these business interviews is being synthesized by the Lincoln County Regional Planning Committee for presentation at an upcoming March meeting.

Prompted by the great success of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens "Gardens Aglow" event, the JEDC is also working to enhance the broader community impact of this highly successful seasonal event. Town Managers Dan Bryer and Tom Woodin are working with the Gardens to purchase the type of lights used for Gardens Aglow so the towns can enhance the winter holiday experience. Working in collaboration with the town managers and volunteers from local businesses, the JEDC is finalizing a request for proposals that will identify a marketing and event consultant whose job will be to work with local businesses and the Gardens to ensure better coordination, complementary marketing and promotion of the all the region’s seasonal events. With wider, more coordinated marketing, visitors to the Garden will learn about our local businesses and seasonal events to enrich and extend their visit to the region.

JEDC is also working with local public and private groups to enhance and leverage economic development opportunities from projects that are already underway or planned for the near term. For example, the committee has endorsed a policy of having public works, sewer and water crews routinely lay open conduit piping and other infrastructure improvements whenever the towns perform road or surface upgrades. This would lower the cost and accelerate the pace of future infrastructure improvements such as the laying of broadband cable, lighting or other structural linkages.

As part of infrastructure improvements, the JEDC discussed several key areas to improve walkability, such as completing the Route 27 sidewalk project, and traffic flow, particularly around the Boothbay Common area. On March 9, JEDC members will be on hand to learn more about and hear public comments and ideas about the MDOT proposed traffic management plan for the Common.

“I’m so impressed by the JEDC members and volunteers’ commitment to improving the prosperity of our region. It’s exciting, longterm work, but we’re off to a good start to boost economic development,” said JEDC Co-Chair Wendy Wolf.