Nearly one hundred people from the Gorham Business Exchange and the community gathered at Spire 29 on May 22 to honor Cindy Smith, GBE Business Person of the Year, and to participate in a roundtable that focused on projects that will impact the future of Gorham.
The four local presenters discussed how their projects could contribute to maintaining a sense of community in a town that anticipates continued growth. Businessman Shawn Moody noted that unlike many nearby communities, Gorham still has a village center, made possible in part by alleviating, if not eliminating traffic problems. He wants the town to revitalize its agricultural base while at the same time continuing to develop mixed-use commercial areas like the one he is constructing at the old racetrack site on Narragansett Street. Scott Lovaas, interim lead minister of First Parish Church, described the Healthy, Happy Gorham initiative that will offer the community the opportunity to become involved in activities that promote good health and “back to basic living.” In coming months, the project will sponsor programs that embody its values: moving naturally, eating well, kindness, and gratitude.
Andrew McLean, State Representative from Gorham, sponsored the legislation that authorizes the construction of a turnpike connector that will link Gorham to the Scarborough interchange. “With the exception of Bar Harbor in July, Gorham has the worst traffic problem in the state,” he said. The daily congestion on Rt. 114 not only affects commuters but impacts local businesses. Expected to be completed within four to eight years, the five-mile Gorham Connector should make it unnecessary to widen Routes 22, 25, and 114 to four lanes in the future.
Jon Smith, co-owner of Great Falls Construction, also promoted developing mixed-use projects that enable people to live, work, shop and recreate in Gorham, citing his Station Square project as an example. He is looking for commercial tenants “with a passion for their craft and for Gorham.”
Smith addressed the parking situation in the village which is a challenge but, he believes, should not be a detriment to businesses. People shopping at the Maine Mall often walk farther from their car than they would from a parking place in Gorham, he noted. In response to a question from the audience, Smith said that he did not envision a parking garage in Gorham.
Culminating the evening, Cindy Smith accepted the award for Business Person of the Year from Keith Nicely, GBE president.