Meeting Notes for Friday, November 7, 2008. 

In attendance were CAFG Directors Don Abbott, Ray Andresen, Philip Conkling, John Enright, Carla Ferguson, Dave Jackson, Roger Moody, and Richard Remsen.  Also present were Anita Brosius-Scott, Deb Dodge, Robin McIntosh, and Chris Shrum.

Meeting notes of the October 17 meeting were approved.

Project Updates:

• C-R-L Chamber of Commerce News – Roger Moody reported that the three area Chambers has recently met to discuss common issues.
• Downtown Business Group News – No report
• Camden Cinema Committee Report – Committee members are Bob, Carla, Dave, Don, and Ray.   Don described the possible reconfiguration of the exiting Maine Foothills to allow the space to revert to that of the cinema which was once located there.  He circulated a sketch done by Architect Chris Glass of the space to create a two-screen cinema (the smaller holding about 60 people), and discussed project concepts.

Discussion with Chris Shrum of the Eastern Maine Development District. With Alan Hinsey’s resignation, Chris is replacing Alan as the EMDC economic development consultant for Knox and Waldo Counties.  His philosophy sees economic abundance instead of scarcity, and he especially likes “appreciative inquiry” as an analytical process.  Chris sees economic development as a regional proposition.  He plans to focus on the “Business Expansion and Retention” (BEAR) approach to help existing businesses grow and expand rather than seeking businesses to relocate here.  He envisions vibrant downtowns having a mix of businesses, the arts, and higher education. Chris is pursuing the “new media cluster” study grant from the Maine Technology Institute, and he mentioned a potential midcoast assembly-line boat building opportunity.  Chris’ email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (596-4596 cell).

CAFG Directors: Creation of Task Teams for 2009

• Camden Cinema Committee – ongoing team of Bob, Carla, Dave, Don, and Ray
• Green Energy Team – following an extended discussion of the midcoast potential for generating electricity from “community wind” and water resources, a task team of John, Philip, Dave, and Richard was created.
• For our November 21 Meeting:
• Appoint Team to Conduct an Internet Capacity Analysis
• Appoint Team to Prepare Statistical Reports Concerning Jobs, Unemployment Rate, Employment Trends, Retail Sales, and Other Measures of Economic Activity to Allow Thoughtful Analysis by CAFG and the Community.  Create and Issue an Annual Camden Area “State of the Economy” Report
• Appoint Team to develop a Commercial Space Inventory for Businesses Seeking to Locate in the Camden Area
• Discuss CAFG Forums to Focus Community Thinking on Economic Issues, Including Helping to Convene a Meeting of the Camden and Rockport Select Boards Concerning Economic Development

The next regular CAFG meeting will be held on Friday, November 21 from 8-10 a.m. in the Washington Street Conference Room