Camden, Maine
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University of Southern Maine USM Digital Commons Maine Center for Business and Economic Regional Studies Research (MCBER) 1-2011 Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan: Camden, Maine Charles S. Colgan University of Southern Maine Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/regional Part of the Growth and Development Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Economics Commons, Public Policy Commons, Regional Economics Commons, and the Transportation Commons Recommended Citation Colgan, C. (2011) Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan: Camden, Maine. [Report]. Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Center for Business and Economic Research. This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Maine Center for Business and Economic Research (MCBER) at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Regional Studies by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS & ACTION PLAN CAMDEN, MAINE Development Concepts, Inc. Maine Center for Business and Economic Research HNTB January 2011 3 PREPARED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: The Town of Camden, Maine Maine Department of Transportation BY: Development Concepts, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana Maine Center for Business and Economic Research University of Southern Maine (Dr. Charles S. Colgan) HNTB Westbrook, Maine Table of Contents Summary. 7 Economic Profile. 9 Economic Development Principles. 15 Economic Development Projects. 25 Implementation Components. 45 Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan 5 INTRODUCTION This project was funded as a continuation of within core areas in each coastal community the Gateway 1 Corridor Action Plan. Gateway with the intent of creating more sustainable 1 is a historic partnership between communities patterns of growth, retaining the quality of from Brunswick to Stockton Springs, as well life the Route 1 Corridor is known for, and as the Maine Department of Transportation, leveraging economic growth equal to 18,000 State Planning Office, and the US Department new jobs and 8,000 new dwelling units over the of Transportation. The partnership and next 25 years. subsequent transportation and land use recommendations are intended to have a This report addresses the issues of economic transformative impact on Maine’s iconic coastal growth in the context of the Town of Camden, route. The key goals of the Corridor Action one of the 20 communities examined in the Plan were to address three key areas: (1) the Gateway 1 planning process. The intention ability to move people and goods smoothly and of this Commercial Development Inventory and safely along the Corridor by multiple modes; Economic Development Analysis is to guide the (2) the ability to grow jobs and a related tax Economic Development efforts of Camden for base in the Corridor; and (3) the preservation the next 5-10 years within the context of the of the scenic, small town, and rural qualities Gateway 1 initiative. that are the pride of Corridor residents and attract people from around the world. Key findings of the report found that if the next 25 years mimic past trends under a low-density pattern of development, it will be difficult to maintain a well functioning transportation system and sustain the Corridor’s current quality-of-life for residents. To combat this, the report recommended a “Community-Centered Corridor” concept that sought to focus growth Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan 7 SUMMARY The diversification and growth of Camden’s most appropriate. economic base cannot take place without deliberate actions grounded in the strengths Think Regionally, Act Locally- Camden must and weaknesses of the community. This report always consider that it is one component of is intended to provide much of the groundwork a dynamic and large economy that stretches and strategic direction to create a framework across the Mid-Coast region. Successful within which the Town can move forward economic development will be grounded in with an informed and focused economic the Town’s role and location within the region, development approach. instead of resting solely on local needs and opportunities. Camden’s economic development should be guided by five principles. These principles Catalyze the Emergence and Growth of are informed by social, economic and land Technology and Innovation Businesses - use considerations throughout the Route 1 Camden has a real opportunity to become one corridor, and are designed to address future of the State’s major players in technology and growth opportunities for Camden within the innovation, an area of focus recommended by context of the Mid-Coast Region. the Brookings Institution. Existing clusters of businesses in software, and new media can Utilize Existing Land, Space and Infrastructure serve to anchor tangible growth, given the right - Given the findings of the Gateway 1 study, approach. the general build-out of the Town, and the amount of character and vibrancy derived Leverage the Town’s Quality of Life - The from the compact nature of the Town’s core, State of Maine is, in general, renowned for its a strategy of “in-fill” development - future scenic beauty, outdoor amenities and quality of development on sites previous developed or life. The Mid-cost region has its own special located within existing development areas - is attractions within that umbrella, and the Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan 8 town of Camden offers unparalleled amenities public right of way in Downtown while better in many areas of Northern New England, defining pedestrian and vehicular zones in including 4 seasons of activities, oceanfront one of the key “chokepoints” along Route 1. location, and a vibrant business district Exploring public transit options like a tourist full of shopping, dining and entertainment shuttle or commuter bus / van system could options. These quality of life components will help reduce congestion. Perhaps the most be a key tool to attract new employers to the important area to reduce traffic congestion community, especially those connected to a and thereby access and mobility is a parking technology / innovation initiatives. Camden management system, which includes an (and its environs) should be able to compete expansion of parking supply and the potential with larger communities like Portland for a for an intelligent parking system that guides share of the knowledge workers seeking these visitors and residents to open parking spaces in amenities. real time. Enhance the Town’s Economic Base - Efforts Aside from these targeted projects, it makes to retain, sustain and even grow Camden’s sense for Camden to acquire a small inventory major economic base - tourism - should of under-utilized land that is potentially not be ignored in the focus on economic well-positioned for economic development diversification and expansion. Many of purposes. Understanding that not all economic the improvements related to improving opportunity comes out of careful planning, this the Tourism sector involve transportation property can be made available to prospective improvements and simultaneously improve businesses that are not on the local radar. access and movement within the Town while helping to meet the goals of the Gateway 1 Essential to the success of Camden in project. implementing the recommendations of this report will be its ability to establish the There are a number of tangible “projects” organizational capacity necessary to begin, available for the Town to begin implementing administer and complete the tasks at hand. these strategies / principles. It is important Hiring a Director for Development is a good that the Knox Mill, one of the most significant first step, but the Town should also consider economic development opportunities within other options to enhance its capacity, such as the town, be built-out in a manner consistent the formation of a local economic development with Town goals. In order to kick-star the corporation, or a partnership with existing technology / innovation initiative, it is regional organizations focused on economic recommended that Camden organize around development. A local economic development the creation of a technology incubator / corporation is a type of organization that has accelerator that will eventually become an great flexibility in meeting the specific needs of integral piece to this strategy. Camden’s development. Several transportation projects are intended to enhance access, mobility and quality for both residents and visitors to Camden. Streetscape improvements will enhance the aesthetics of Economic Development Analysis & Action Plan 9 SECTION 1: ECONOMIC PROFILE The 2010 population of Camden is Camden Economy estimated to be 5,400 people in just over In 2008, Camden was estimated to have 2,500 households. Combined with adjacent 2,546 jobs in 334 establishments. The largest Rockport, it forms a population of about employment sectors were Education and 8,700. The Town is the second largest in Knox Health Services, where Nursing Care Facilities County, after Rockland (7,500) and ahead of represented the largest sub-sector, followed by Warren (4,220) and Thomaston (3,678). Trade, Transportation and Utilities (Grocery Stores), and Leisure and Hospitality (Food Camden is the fifth largest community studied Service). in the Gateway 1 project, after Brunswick (21,800), Bath (9,000),