South Berwick resident Gretchen Straub has been thinking about the impact of businesses on property taxes and submitted this editorial:
I was thinking about how getting new businesses in town might affect the tax base so I did some research. It shows that economic development should not be equated with tax relief at all.
The diagram shows [...]
Posts under ‘Economic Development’
Guest Editorial: Gretchen Straub on Businesses & Property Taxes
Economic Development: Quality of Place and Job Growth
South Berwick has begun a community conversation about economic development. (See earlier article about this initiative.) To stimulate thinking, knowledge, and ideas the 236 diner will be offering information and links to a variety of research, reports, and case studies about economic development. This is the first in that series.
Quality of Place and [...]
Opinion: A Step toward South Berwick’s Future
The Economic Development Committee is launching an initiative that will allow residents to weigh in on the future of economic development in South Berwick. A process to get citizen input will help shape recommendations for economic development proposals for the town to pursue. The process will be led by Planning Decisions, a southern Maine based [...]
Good Things: South Berwick Networking
South Berwick resident Tony Lemmo had an idea that it would be good for local entrepreneurs and business owners to have a way to meet each other. A year ago, as entrepreneurs are likely to do, he decided to just make it happen. So for the last year he has been hosting monthly networking meetings [...]
Businesses: Sobo Book & Bean Under New Management
Marie MacDonald, an editor, free lance writer, and book lover, has taken over the ownership of Sobo Book & Bean in downtown South Berwick. Marie’s passion for books and community is driving the transformation of this downtown place. She is increasing the selection of used books, adding new books, and will provide [...]
People: Deb Knowlton promoted at Little Hat
Deb Knowlton has been promoted to Lead Designer & Production Manager for The Little Hat Company.
Just shy of her first anniversary of working with The Little Hat Company, Deb Knowlton South Berwick resident of twenty years was named Lead Designer & Production Manager. Deb began stitching for The Little Hat Company during the spring [...]
Good Things: Little Hat gains national recognition
If you were driving through downtown Friday afternoon, you may have noticed a lot of activity in front of Little Hat Company. They were doing a photo shoot for an article for Country Woman, a nationally distributed magazine. They are also set to be featured in Yankee Magazine’s Summer Travel issue. [...]
Out & About: Little Hats, Big Dreams
The Little Hat Company is a fun place to go. It is full of colorful toys, books, fuzzy puppets, and the very sweet and unique hats that are the core of its business. But that’s only part of the story; the other part is that the Little Hat Company is a company on [...]
Update6: Regional Development Authority
236diner reader Jack Kareckas reports that at a work session in Augusta on February 26, 2008, the Business, Research and Economic Development Authority Committee voted unanimously LD 2003 (An act to establish the Southern York County Regional Development Authority) “Ought not to Pass.” Read Jack’s account of the meeting
South Berwick resident Brad Christo submitted [...]
Update5: Regional Development Authority
Fosters’ Daily Democrat is running a story on the South Berwick Town Council’s narrow vote to approve a grant request for the Regional Efficiency Group’s continued work.
South Berwick Town Council approves grant request for regional authority
Read background on the Regional Development Authority .
Update4: Regional Development Authority
The Portsmouth Herald reports that although there was some dissatisfaction with the progress made by the Regional Efficiency Workgroup on their first grant, Kittery Town Council voted to support an application for a second grant. Town Manager Jonathan Carter believes the proposed legislation will be postponed to be reworked into legislation that doesn’t create [...]
Update3: Regional Development Authority
Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting that was originally scheduled for February 13, 2008 at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.
Here are some additional materials:
Frequently Asked Questions document that was handed out at the first information [...]
Postponed: Regional Devolopment Authority Public Meeting
Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting: The meeting originally scheduled for ednesday February 13, 2008 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.
Find out more about the Southern York County Regional Development Authority.
LD 2003 Public Information Meeting Open Thread
Here’s the really skinny on what I heard at the public meeting this morning:
In general citizens think the idea of working regionally to promote economic development, job creation, and planning is a good idea, although they are not sold on the idea of a development authority
Citizens at the meeting do not support this legislation as [...]
Opinion: Questions about LD2003 and more
In the last few weeks I’ve tried to find out everything I can about LD 2003, the bill that would allow the creation of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority. I’ve read the legislation, heard from proponents and opponents of the bill, and read the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group [...]
Update2: Regional Development Authority
The Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission (SMRPC) has posted more information about LD 2003, Southern York County Regional Development Authority on their web site, including upcoming meeting schedules. They have also have a link to the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings. These minutes include meetings beginning in January [...]
Public Forums: Regional Development Authority
Two public information meetings have been scheduled to receive public input on LD 2003 “An Act to Create Southern York County Regional Development Authority.”
South Berwick: Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 9 am at Marshwood High School
North Berwick: Wednesday, February, 13, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School
Read [...]
Update: Regional Development Authority
Portsmouth Herald reports this morning that the work group of seven towns that wrote the legislation to create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority met on Friday. The meeting was attended by Senator Peter Bowman and Representative Bonnie Gould, cosponsors of the bill. The group met to prepare for the work session [...]
Proposed Southern York County Regional Development Authority
For more than a year South Berwick, Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, North Berwick, and Wells have been discussing the creation of a regional development authority. As a result, LD 2003, “An Act To Create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority” was sponsored by Senator Bowman of York and cosponsored by Representative Gould of South [...]
