FARMINGTON — Selectmen want to hear ideas and talk with community members about what can be done to help economic growth.
The board will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the downstairs meeting room of the Municipal Building to discuss forming a town Economic Development Committee.
Some members of the board have been interested in forming a committee for some time, Selectman Andrew Hufnagel said Thursday.
The committee could be a resource for potential businesses to ask questions to determine if this is a viable place for them to come, he said.
“There are talented people in Farmington who could help us attract business and growth,” board Chairman Ryan Morgan said. “Right now, there are five of us trying to entice business.”
The board has supported items they hope will help, such as a new town website, town brochures and marketing, a downtown tax increment financing district, lower sewer rates and connection fees, and an application as a “business friendly” community, Morgan said.
While Greater Franklin Development Corp. does a great job, its work is for the county as a whole, Hufnagel said. A Farmington committee to work with them could only strengthen the possibility of getting businesses to come here.
Morgan also wants to work with them but his main goal is what is good for Farmington, he said.
“I was elected to represent the people of Farmington,” he said. “We all want to see growth, more people and a stable tax rate.”
What a potential committee would or could do is a learning experience for all of us, Hufnagel said. If there is interest, he expects to start with discussion of a mission statement.
Town Manager Richard Davis has researched how other towns have developed similar committees. The board expressed interest in a description of a committee in South Portland, one he has adapted for Farmington, Davis said.
The information contains what the committee does and its responsibilities, Hufnagel said.
Morgan and Hufnagel want to hear whether people are interested in serving on the committee.
“I hope there is a large turnout. I want to hear their suggestions on how to improve Farmington’s status as a business-friendly community,” Hufnagel said. “One of my goals has been more community involvement. There’s a wealth of knowledge and untapped resources in the community.”
With state revenue-sharing cuts, it’s harder for municipalities to provide services without raising taxes, Hufnagel said. Bringing more business to town could help the tax base.
“We’re trying anything that we can,” he said.
While business leaders, bankers and economic development specialists are encouraged to attend the meeting, the board is also looking for people from a broad spectrum of the town.
A round-table discussion will provide input on what we’re missing and how we can entice growth, Morgan said.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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