Recent WEDC projects (Past few years):
- Co-sponsored the Business Expo at SummerFest, providing an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products and services in front of thousands of attendees.
- Participated in feasibility analysis of bus service between Windham and Portland to promote growth for our residents and business employees to travel to and from outside of our region for work, appointments, shopping, etc.
- Participated in discussion and analysis of the development of a Lateral Access Road in Windham to alleviate traffic and safety concerns, and to facilitate access to Windham-based businesses.
- Co-sponsored job placement training effort during the recent economic downturn. Helping put people back to work has a positive effect on the local economy.
- Attended MEREDA (Maine Real Estate & Development Association) conferences representing the Town of Windham to potential developers.
- Funded the Northeastern Study which provided insight into the Town of Windham compared to other similar towns in the region. One of the key findings was that the build-to-suit process in Windham is too long and cumbersome, discouraging some companies from locating in Windham including some national firms.
- Working with the Economic Development director at opportunities to participate in the Brownfield Grant initiatives. In some cases, utilizing a non-profit entity such as the WEDC can open up access to additional grant funding sources.
- Met with Woodard and Curran regarding the Sewer Project planning, looked into opportunities for economic stimulus funding if it became available to the region.
Past projects:
- Danielle Drive
- Enterprise Drive
- Maine Cedar Log Homes - WEDC gave Maine Cedar Log Homes $25,000 to pay for an environmental study needed to clean up the former L C Andrew site in South Windham. This was necessary for us to be able develop the log home manufacturing facility in South Windham in 2002. Since then we also developed a second 22,000 SF building consisting of 5 bays, two of which mWAVE, our antenna manufacturer occupies and the others are lease out to a couple of startup companies, Kids Crooked House and Atlantic Concealment.