Meeting Notes for Friday, December 5, 2008. 

Present:  Roger Moody, Don Abbott, Skye Hirst, Dave Jackson, Richard Remsen, Carla Ferguson, Ray Andresen, Joan phaup, Bob Shotwell.

Visitors: Camden Select Board Member Anita Brosius-Scott, Rockport Town Manager Bob Peabody, Mike Sabatini from Leucadia, and Bill Morong of Yachting Solutions and Maine Business Resources.

Meeting Notes for the November 21 meeting were approved.

It was agreed to produce a summary of CAFG activities for 2008, for posting on the Web site.

Project Updates:

• C-R-L Chamber of Commerce News: Dan Bookham has been appointed executive director. (CAFG will invite him to a meeting to get acquainted.)
• Downtown Business Group News: The business group has been encouraging the Chamber to get involved with them, inviting them to be represented at business group meetings. The group’s new Web site is developing well, including links to local businesses. As a member of the group, CAFG will be represented on the site.
• Tannery Site Redevelopment – CAFG Assistance in Identifying Potential Developers: what contacts do we have among businesses who might be approached about the Tannery property? Be mindful of the fact that there are an additional 5 acres of land available in Millville, next to the Apria warehouse. Other properties are available too, e.g. the former Lady Millville store  property opposite the Tannery site. Might the Tannery site be used as an office building—business incubator? Green business nexus? An anchor for the Millville neighborhood? Would a charrette process help bring about a plan for the site? Could a brochure be produced to help promote the Tannery site? Could the fence around the site be removed? Will there be a sign on the site announcing that it is available for sale?
• Suggested Appointees to the New Camden Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee (CCEDAC). Could someone from CAFG—who would need to be a Camden resident--volunteer for CCEDAC? Can CAFG members suggest individuals who would be appropriate candidates for this committee?

CAFG Task Teams Reports:

• Camden Downtown Cinema - Bob, Dave, Don, Carla, and Ray: A business plan has been produced, including a work chart mapping, cash flow projections and other data. If the building proves eligible for listing as a historic resource, tax credits would be available for the historic restoration of the building. News stories about cinema developments to date will be posted on the CAFG Web site.
• Green Energy – John, Philip, Dave and Richard: The committee would like to invite wind energy expert Dr. George Baker to the next CAFG meeting Roger will check with Phil to make sure we are coordinating appropriately with the town committee)
• Time didn’t allow for reports from three Task Teams:  Internet Capacity Analysis, Statistical Reports, and Commercial Space Inventory.  Those reports will be heard at the December 21st meeting.

9:00 a.m., Discussion with Rockport Town Manager Bob Peabody about the Rockport Select Board’s 2009 Top Priority of Having Rockport Become More Business Friendly.

• Isolated pockets of commerce are yielding to regional markets. Local areas can work together to create a good regional mix, drawing on each other’s strengths.
• Rockport Select Board is happy to work with CAFG.
• The Select Board prioritized goals this fall; improving business relations was identified as the top priority. Rockport already has a robust business segment, spread out rather than concentrated in a single district, but the Town  can do more to make Rockport an attractive business location.
• Action plan:
  
  1. Produce a “Doing Business in Rockport” welcome packet, including a town profile, contact details and other information for businesses that show an interest in locating there, including financial benefits, sense of place, workforce
  2. Conduct a parking survey to determine how many parking spaces we have, note current time limits, identify additional parking areas, review parking ordinances, etc.
  3. Offer annual “BETE  and BETR” (Business Equipment Tax Rebate) workshops explaining how to obtain state compensation for business improvements.
  4. Rejoin the Chamber of Commerce
  5. Develop an inventory of current businesses
  6. Develop an inventory of available land for commercial use – both developed and undeveloped.
  7. Review land use ordinances to ensure they are realistic, up-to- date and readable. (Ordinances on Rockport are a three-dimensional process. The impact on landscape of a proposed ordinance change is always considered. Architects and engineers provide input to help people visual what changes will mean.)
• Rockport is looking at RES East elementary school site redevelopment. An ad hoc committee has been set up.
• Rockport passed a comprehensive plan four years ago and is reviewing it to ensure they are moving forward on the action points in it.
• The Gateway One process offers some excellent opportunities for Camden and Rockport to work together and obtain funding for road improvements that would improve traffic flow on Routes 1 and in turn support smart growth.
• Camden and Rockport select boards have met to discussing alternatives to the stop sign at the intersection of Route 1 and Union Street.
• Rockport is looking at how to better use the Rockport Opera House.

Next Regular Meeting: Friday, December 19 from 8-10 a.m. in the Washington Street Conference Room.