Photo: Economic Development Director Kevin Jensen uses the bus ride from Portland to engage students in discussion.
PHOTO CREDIT: Rachael Grady
On the morning of Sept.11, a group of 15 students from Rachael Grady’s Economics class boarded a bus bound for Portland, eager to engage with local leaders tackling one of Maine’s pressing challenges: the future of downtown.
In collaboration with Aspire Gorham, a districtwide program designed to ensure every student has the opportunity for exposure, exploration and experiences related to career opportunities, the students had the opportunity to learn how economic terms are applied to real-world problems, and about the myriad jobs and organizations that are connected to economic and community development.
Rachael Grady and her GHS Economics students spoke with the presenters for Portland Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues at the Abromson Center on the USM Portland campus.PHOTO CREDIT: Stella Pineda
Eggs and Issues, a monthly series hosted annually by the Portland Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the 2025-2026 year with a focus on Maine’s largest city and the state of the downtown area. The event featured a dynamic panel of speakers including Portland Mayor Mark Dion, Cary Tyson of Portland Downtown, Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative, and Elizabeth Jones of the Portland Museum of Art. Each offered a distinct lens on the reinvention of urban spaces.
Mayor Dion and Tyson addressed immediate concerns—ranging from storefront vacancies to public safety—and outlined short-term strategies to stabilize the downtown core. Bunker emphasized adaptive reuse and increasing housing density as long-term solutions to revitalize underutilized buildings. Jones highlighted the transformative power of arts and culture, suggesting that creative institutions can serve as anchors for lasting economic and social renewal.
Joining the students for the busride was Kevin Jensen, economic development director for the Town of Gorham, who fielded questions on the return trip, helping students reflect on the ideas presented. Jensen later visited the two classes—composed mostly of juniors and seniors—on Friday to continue the conversation, offering insights into economic development goals and strategies for the Gorham community. Parking, shopping, public transit, housing and business development were all topics for the discussion.
The event not only sparked dialogue about Portland’s future but also inspired students to think critically about the economic forces shaping their own community and to better understand the principles they have begun learning in class.