Gorham has undergone many changes in the last quarter century. Over the past 25 years, the Gorham Times has consistently been there to document those changes while continuing to bring “the news to all of Gorham.”
The population of Gorham grew from 11,856 in 1990 to 16,381 in 2010. The current estimated population is 17,651 but is thought to be higher based on the number of registered voters (14,485). Laurie Nordfors, Town Clerk, believes the 2020 census will surely reflect more growth.
In speaking with Abe Dailey, a data analyst with Greater Portland Council of Governments, about Gorham being one of the fastest growing towns in Maine, he shared, “A better way to identify the fastest growing town may be to look at the share of the total population growth in Maine since 2010. If you look at this measure Gorham has the second highest share of population growth in Maine since 2010, behind Windham. Gorham’s share of the state’s population growth exceeds that of Scarborough, Westbrook, and Saco, too.”
School enrollment was 2,456 in 1995 and is anticipated to be 2,832 for the 2020-21 school year. The new Gorham Middle School opened in 2003 and Great Falls Elementary School opened in 2011. While GHS was renovated and expanded in the 1990s, a committee was formed more recently to review possible options for additional renovations to meet increases in enrollment.
USM continues to be a valuable resource for our community. First opening in 1878 as the Gorham Normal School, the university annually hosts community events such as Gorham Night and a Halloween Party. USM also partners with GHS students, among others, for athletic events and online classes.
Originally proposed in 1999, a new $5 million public safety building was unveiled in 2016. The complex now houses the fire station and a new 10,000-square-foot police station. The municipal offices moved into the former Shaw Junior High School on South Street in 2006. Baxter Library added a 10,000-square feet addition in 2003 and remains a fixture in the community.
Traffic concerns and subsequent studies were documented in several of our earliest publications and date back as far as the 1989-1993 MDOT Route 25 Corridor Study. The Bernard Rines Bypass went out to bid in 2007 and was completed in 2008, improving traffic flow by allowing commuters to avoid the center of Gorham.
In reference to land and new construction, Dailey said, “The average cost of land per acre in Portland ($263,300 per acre) is about five times the cost of the average acre in Gorham ($59,100). This trend in land prices means that for the average family in this region a home is much more affordable in a place like Gorham, Standish, or Windham.”
A total of 146 subdivisions were approved (although not necessarily built) between 1996 and 2014. Between 2016 and present day, 30 new subdivisions have been approved consisting of 323 dwelling units. On the commercial side, 51 projects were approved, illustrating the upward trend in commercial activity which is beneficial to Gorham’s tax base. Housing sales for Gorham in 1997 (the first year records can be found) totaled 84. In 2019, the total was 311 homes.
Non-profit organizations like the Gorham Business Exchange and the Gorham Village Alliance work together with Gorham’s Department of Community Development to support local business growth and enhance the community we live in. In the last five years, the town has been transformed.
On Main Street alone, the demolition of the old Mobil station made way for a new shopping complex which now houses Aroma Joe’s, Subway, 9Round, and Nail Xperts. MK Kitchen fills the space at 2 School St offering residents fine dining close to home. The Blue Pig Diner revamped the old Centre of Movement dance studio at 19 State St, and Erin Flett moved her manufacturing/textile business to 2 Main St. Upcycle Maine Home Furnishings moved into 18 South Street while Amato’s and Gorham House of Pizza continue to anchor the Village intersection.
The property at 18 Elm Street was razed in 2018 and a new building was constructed for Carter’s Green Market. CBD American Shaman occupies the second commercial unit. Station Square now fills the corner at 7 Railroad Drive and includes a bowling alley, a restaurant, and a wine bar as well as housing units. Hannaford Supermarket had a facelift in 2018-2019.
Sebago Brewing built its new headquarters on Lower Main Street in 2018 to offer the public a tasting room and restaurant. Its old location in the Gorham Industrial Park was immediately occupied by Portland-based Lone Pine Brewing. Angelo’s Pizza renovated the space formerly occupied by Tots to Teens at 474 Main St. in 2019.
Also in 2019, Harvey Performance broke ground on its new manufacturing plant at 49 Raceway Drive, home of the 62-acre former racetrack. Harvey became the first project at the sprawling site, owned by Shawn Moody’s company, and is expected to help boost the town’s tax base.
With the town’s original industrial park almost at capacity and the Olde Canal Business Park located off of Mosher Road quickly filling, the Gorham community recently approved a referendum to purchase 141 acres of land from the M.P. Rines Trust. Located along Libby and Cobb Road and abutting the current industrial park, the new project will allow the Town to attract more businesses to further ease the tax burden on residents.
Recreationally, Gorham is leading the way with access to public trails. As part of the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, residents have their pick of walking trails in Gorham and surrounding communities. In 2005, Shaw Brothers Construction gave the Town of Gorham and its citizens Shaw Park, a 7.5-acre community park on the Presumpscot River. The walking and biking trails at Shaw Cherry Hill Farm opened to the public in 2019. Gorham boasts numerous bike trails and a pump track generously cared for by volunteers from the Gorham Conservation Committee, Portland NEMBA, and the local community.
On a lighter note, Gorham broke a Guinness World Record in 2006 when nearly 1,500 residents came out in Groucho-Marx style “nose and glasses;” former GHS teacher Bob Crowley became a local celebrity in 2008 when he appeared on the TV hit show “Survivor” and won the grand prize; and former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski thrilled fans when he visited Gorham High School in 2016 to deliver $30,000 worth of football equipment.
The Gorham Times has celebrated our students throughout their school days and during graduation. We have supported our athletes during hometown match ups and state championship games. We have applauded the musical and artistic talents of our many residents – young and old. We have introduced and promoted Gorham businesses. We have mourned the deep losses in our little town.
The Gorham Times is an integral part of our community. Our volunteers look forward to 25 more years of informing our readers about all facets of life in Gorham, Maine.
