Community and Economic Development Plan

 

 
Town Of Bowdoinham
Department of Community and Economic Development Plan
 
 
BCED Goal:  To support the existing businesses of Bowdoinham through promotion of their services, educational opportunities, community awareness and networking. To develop and attract sustainable businesses to Bowdoinham that will reflect the high quality of life and strong sense of community Bowdoinham is known for. To develop, organize and coordinate community enhancing events to bring together the citizens of Bowdoinham.
 
Economic Development:
  • Work with local regional and state Economic Developers to coordinate efforts to develop one or more of the following economic clusters to broaden and diversify our job base: Food and Agriculture, Creative Economy and the Arts, and Renewable Energy/Green Construction.
    • Bowdoinham farms- Develop awareness of locally grown food and local farmers through education and community outreach. Create a local market for farmers to sell goods locally.
    • Focus on the creative economy by supporting the Merrymeeting Arts Center, Five Rivers Art Alliance, Bowdoinham Guild of Artisans. Brand Bowdoinham as an artistic destination.
  • Market the area near the highway interchange to companies who will provide needed services and jobs to the citizens of Bowdoinham in a sustainable, low impact manner. Explore the possibilities of 3 phase power and public water to the highway area.
  • Create greater awareness and utilization of existing Bowdoinham businesses through the Bowdoinham News, Bowdoinham.com, Merrymeeting Bay Business Association, The Southern Midcoast Chamber and other venues.
  • Explore ways to provide high speed internet to all Bowdoinham residents and citizens.
 
Community Development:
  • Work in conjunction with the town planner to increase the viability of the village area through community development grants including, but not limited to: façade improvement, pedestrian accessibility and safety.
  • Work in conjunction with Bowdoinham Recreation Dept to create safe recreation areas such as walking paths, biking paths, sidewalks and areas for citizens to recreate and meet. Increase awareness and accessibility of Bowdoinham’s natural resources including the rivers and Merrymeeting Bay.
  • Enhance community building tools such as the Bowdoinham News, www.bowdoinham.com, Summer Concert Series, and Celebrate Bowdoinham.
 
Tony Cox 11/16/07