Bill Mann, City of Saco’s Economic Development

Speaker Presentation:  Bill Kany introduced Bill Mann, our guest speaker to give us an update on the City of Saco’s Economic Development.

 

Bill comes from a diverse background and rather than use his official title he prefers we think of him as wanting to “help people” in our city. He is a Maine Native with a degree from George Washington University and a Masters Degree from USM.

 

One Take Away:  His role is to assist you and your business in any way they can.  He welcomes inquiries which can be directed to:  207-282-3487 or wmann@sacomaine.org.  Bill’s mother always told him growing up that he has two ears and one mouth so use the two ears more than the one mouth.  He enjoys building relationships and currently they are working on obtaining an inventory of buildings as well as a Business Needs Assessment.  When people ask him what he does, he replies “I help people”.

 

There are several Action Steps:  1. Engaging the business community in various ways; 2. Working with utility partners to ensure safe and competitive access including low cost Broadband services; 3. Integrating Bridge 2025 feedback; 4. Promoting Saco as a place to visit, live and grow a business.  Bill emphasized that for every $1 spent in our neighborhoods, $1 should also be spent downtown.

 

Saco Main Street is also working on several initiatives to re-engage the business community.  Kate Brown is their Interim Executive Director.  If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a part of this organization, please let Bill know.

 

The City of Saco is seeing an increase in development activity when compared to last year.

 

Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. Lot #10, Mill Brook Business Park is Ground Breaking, this month.  Chinburg Properties Saco Island Lot #4 is expected to break ground in the next 30-45 days.

 

Bill also touched upon some other issues:  1.  We have a great opportunity to re-shape our downtown; 2.  Addressing the traffic issues; 3. Feasability Analysis; 4. Broadband solutions; 5. Marketing – getting better at telling our story.