On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Town Council hosted the Gorham Economic Development Corporation for a meal and workshop to discuss the goals of the two entities. But what is the Gorham Economic Development Corporation? What are their roles and responsibilities within and on behalf of the Town of Gorham? The answers vary, depending on where one seeks them, but all are in agreement that there is both the desire and need to redefine the work of the GEDC and to better utilize the corporation and their expertise.
Formed in 1991 by the Town of Gorham, the Gorham Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) was originally charged with fostering business growth or development within the Town of Gorham. They were given the power to buy, sell or otherwise acquire property, including land or structures, but were also established as a 501(c)(3). According to town manager Ephrem Paraschak, the creation of a quasi-governmental organization such as GEDC was commonplace at the time of its creation, and was used by municipalities as a means to foster economic development outside the confines of government regulations.
The GEDC is governed by a nine-person volunteer Board of Directors, who are appointed by and serve at the will of the corporation’s members, specifically the Gorham Town Council. Currently, Chris Kelley serves as the GEDC board chair, with the town’s economic development director, Kevin Jensen, serving as the board president.
Kelley described the work of the GEDC as serving as a conduit for questions and problem solving between prospective or expanding businesses and the current processes and requirements of the town. As ambassadors for business development in the Town of Gorham, board members with varied business backgrounds also focus on outreach and recruitment. An example would be the recruitment of CoreX Partners, a cold storage facility and logistics company that recently announced their plan to locate in the Gorham Industrial Park, with high hopes that they will be a great long-term partner for Gorham.
In addition, the GEDC periodically collects feedback and perspectives from current business owners, aggregating responses and identifying themes. This information, along with identified issues and possible solutions, is then made available to Gorham’s Office of Community Development and town council. During the Feb. 13 meeting, GEDC board member Sarah Jackson noted that the corporation has conducted 3 surveys in 6 years.
GEDC board members also serve as advisors on projects and on other committees, including the recently formed Fiscal Sustainability Committee, and the steering committee for a recently proposed Economic Planning Study.
This kind of intersectionality between the mission and responsibilities of multiple public and private committees, as well as members serving on multiple committees or as representatives, all with an interest in supporting economic and business development in Gorham, is common, but not without confusion as to roles and responsibilities. There is also Gorham’s establishment and expansion of the municipal Office of Community Development. The office includes three divisions and ten staff, and has increased the Economic Development division from a part-time position to two full-time positions in 4 years.
When asked why Gorham residents should want new or expanded businesses in Gorham, Town Manager Paraschak noted, “Besides making Gorham a more vibrant place to work and live, businesses help diversify the property tax base and help pay for schools, municipal services and county costs.” GEDC Board Chair Kelley agrees, noting that he believes that Gorham doesn’t have a spending problem, but a revenue problem. Without growing business contributions to the tax base, the burden will continue to fall on homeowners. He also noted the employment opportunities and availability of goods and services as benefits to the community.
The Feb. 13 discussion between the town council and GEDC members included ideas on how to best and most efficiently solicit the input and support of the corporation, and there was an expressed hope that increasing collaboration between them would ensure success on common goals. Chairperson Phillips noted that she would like to encourage GEDC to share opinions and offer support to specific initiatives based on their economic value and potential for growth, and GEDC board member Jackson urged the town council to strategically identify critical priorities and questions upon which the GEDC could provide recommendations and a position.
Chairperson Kelley believes the workshop was a step in the right direction toward building a more collaborative and effective relationship between the GEDC and town council.
During their monthly meetings, the GEDC board receives updates from, and provides feedback to, the economic development director, as well as the Gorham Village Alliance, the town council, the Revolving Loan Fund Committee, along with any updates from the board members. In the past they have also advised on issues like the expansion of the Industrial Park, the allocation of Revolving Loan funds, and on the bypass.
On Feb 14, the morning after the brainstorming meeting, the GEDC added to their agenda. They reviewed and discussed the latest opportunity for Gorham to partner with the METRO bus system, as well as the plan of Maine Department of Transportation to build their long-planned highway spur into Gorham. GEDC passed two resolutions of support, one for each of the projects. Chairperson Kelley says he believes that by, ”continuing to open lines of communication, understanding what all of our respective roles are in the community, and seeing how we can effectively work together,” the Town of Gorham will be the affordable, vibrant, and sought after destination that we all envision.