FARMINGTON – While the town of Farmington was notified in February it had been “certified business-friendly” by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, on Friday town officials were formally presented two road signs and a certificate.
The town joins 30 other communities as being recognized by the program, created by Gov. Paul LePage in 2012.
The town’s first application attempt to join the program was turned down in November 2013. The DECD’s certification review team said it was encouraged by the positive steps the community had taken, specifically the town’s revolving loan program and tax increment financing district, but Farmington lacked examples of private and public collaboration and attempts to attract businesses.
A second, more detailed application was submitted last year for consideration of a 2015 designation.
In awarding Farmington its certification, the DECD cited the loan fund as an example of Farmington’s efforts towards business friendliness. DECD also highlighted Farmington’s use of local, state and federal programs to create and improve infrastructure that supported new businesses, and its collaboration with the Mt. Blue Learning Campus and University of Maine at Farmington.
On Friday, Diane Jackson, a DECD representative, congratulated the gathering of town officials at the town offices as one of the state’s newest certified business-friendly communities. Farmington, she noted, is the first town in Franklin County to receive the designation.
“Maine’s goal is simple: we want our communities to partner with business and we want to identify those communities who exhibit a ‘can do’ attitude…,” Jackson said to those gathered. She added, “Farmington leads by example.”
She noted the certification’s goal is to encourage “cities and towns to take a critical look at their permitting and licensing process, as well as how they partner with the private sector, economic, educational, and workforce development resources.”
Each town should work to support and encourage business attraction strategies. “Together these are the tools to help foster and facilitate a strong welcoming environment for business growth and attraction,” she said.
Town Manager Richard Davis said the application’s success is thanks to the town’s planning assistant, Cindy Gelinas.
“She did a great job; if it weren’t for her dedication we wouldn’t be here,” Davis said. “If you know of any business that wants to come to to town, they should come see us,” he added.
“Jobs, jobs, jobs, that’s what it’s all about,” Jackson said afterward. “And we have an excellent workforce right here.”
The large signs will be installed by the state’s Department of Transportation at two entrances into town, Davis said.
Road signs, Really? Sure lets slap up some more ugly signage.
You can call the area whatever you want, buisness friendly etc. The problem is its not cost effective to produce goods in this county due to transport costs and the overhead operational costs fir snow removal, heat etc. And fact if thd matter us, tourists no longer are willing to drive 5hrs or more to vacation in a place like this when they can hop on a plane and in the same time vacation with better amenities accessibility at other USA locations as well as abroad. You have an accessibility and unattractive location problem here in franklin county. Why would I drive all day to visit a run down mill and fctory area when I could fly to a national park and be picked up shuttled rightbto my resort and have first rate hotel food and sighteeing? Nobody wants to go thru the hassle to come here just to visit dingy old mill towns and meth users….