Joint Economic Development Committee Co-Chair Wendy Wolf and Committee member Mike Tomko presented their interest in partnering with Rotarian leaders in our community to address the recently completed Economic Development Master Plan which encompasses the towns of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Edgecomb. Wolf and Tomko were guest speakers at the March 15 Rotary meeting.

Wolf believes that Rotary can make a difference by partnering with the JEDC to reach out to stakeholders. She stated that Rotary’s leadership in the community can facilitate the coordination of implementation of the plan.

The goal of the Plan is to identify strategies for development that further the JEDC’s vision for the future of the region, keeping in mind the ever-evolving organizational capacity and financial responsibilities of the participating towns.

Wolf hopes to form a regional team to work on the Plan’s six (6) top goals and objectives:

Business Growth and Development- The Objectives are to (1) commit joint resources to support attraction, retention, and expansion efforts to spur investment in the Region; (2) Actively promote the message that the Region is “Open for Business”; (3) Target and invigorate existing commercial areas for economic growth; (4) Expand broadband coverage by leveraging existing networks.

Housing Diversity and Availability – The objectives are to (1) Continue to evaluate changing housing stock needs and capacity to ensure the region is a livable community for a range of residents; (2) Anticipate and monitor physical infrastructure needs to coordinate with housing objectives.

Downtown Development and Waterfront Management – The objectives are to (1) Utilize all available planning tools to align zoning ordinances and design guidelines, outline clear permitting procedures to encourage development that fits within the character of the waterfront; (2) Create opportunities for both residents and visitors, through wayfinding measures, to experience the harbor area in an active way; (3) Retain a consultant to develop a Master Land-Use Plan for the Boothbay harbor waterfront which will help the town be proactive in harbor management for the region’s future.

Tourism Infrastructure Maintenance – The objectives are to (1) Improve wayfinding throughout the Region to enhance the visitation experience; (2) Reinvigorate the regional marketing effort to communicate the Regions’ brand; (3) Continue to offer and improve visitor experiences.

Regional Transportation and Planning – The objectives are to (1) Improve coordination and connections among pedestrian, cycling, and auto routes; (2) Standardize planning within the region; (3) participate in planning and mitigating Routes 1 and 27 traffic.

Regional Collaboration- The objectives are to (1) With engagement by citizens, continue to build economic momentum in economic development planning; (2) Think regionally regarding waterfront infrastructure and access, investing in the most efficient resiliency improvements that will benefit all; (3) Inventory and maintain historical and recreational assets of the Region; (4) Engage is sustained community outreach with updates on economic development activities.

Members of Rotary recalled the rich experience of Rotary’s leadership in facilitating the current important and productive Elder Forum. Members noted that Rotary’ recent Visioning process focused on transportation and housing challenges in the Region.

On other Rotary activities, club president Jonathan Tindal related many expressions of gratitude for our Rotary’s financial support of:

1. Friends of Thai Daughters for funds which enable young girls to kids on a study tour which enables them to see the ocean for the first time in their lives;
2. Collaboration with American Legion to sponsor local high school students to Boys State and Girls State to represent our region.
3. Collaboration with Honor Flight which will send three local World War and Korean War Veterans to Washington D.C. in April
4. BRHS students’ travel to Costa Rica and Nicaragua on a cultural educational adventure

On Thursday, April 5 at 6 p.m., the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club and Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts will hold the 22nd annual Soup Bowl Supper at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay. The Soup Bowl Supper is a fun and tasty night for everyone and the benefactor is Rebuilding Together. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. The American Legion Hall, Post 36, is located at 25 Industrial Park Road, Boothbay. For more information, visit www.watershedceramics.org/events/soup-bowl-supper and  www.boothbayharborrotary.org/

Rotary’s annual Onion Sale starts now with delivery to the Rotary’s Chair Doug Harley is expected mid-May. These onions are fantastic $27 for a 25-pound bag. Kept well, they can last 10 months. See a Rotarian or go to www.boothbayharborrotary.org/

On March 29, Kevin Dennison LCSO with K‐9 Duke will speak to Rotary. The canine unit for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was established in the 1980 and currently has one dual purpose Patrol/ Narcotic detection canine.  Deputy Kevin Dennison and K-9 Duke have been a team since the summer of 2013.Patrol canine’s go through a long training period of over 400 hrs during which they are trained and certified in obedience, officer protection, criminal apprehension, building searches, evidence recovery, agility and tracking. Narcotics canines also go through a long training period of over 400 hrs. during which they are trained and certified in people searches, room searches, motor vehicle searches and package searches.

Other upcoming events:

April 11: Fellowship at Boathouse Bistro 5‐6 p.m.

April 12: Roland Gagne ‐ World Polio Day

April 19: Lifetime Service Award

April 26: Anna Marie Klein‐Christie ‐ U.S. Director of Safe Passage