Formed in 1991, the Gorham Economic Development Corporation (GEDC) is a nonprofit, quasi-governmental agency that encourages community and economic development to expand the tax base and create new jobs in Gorham. The mission of the Gorham Economic Development Corporation is to promote the town of Gorham as one of the best places to live, work and grow.
Tom Ellsworth, president of the GEDC, recently discussed the commercial/industrial developments currently underway in Gorham. Ellsworth said 80 percent of his job is business retention and the other 20 percent is attracting new business to relocate or expand in Gorham. The GEDC also has different loan programs to assist businesses in making a transition to Gorham, and as such, was instrumental in gaining approval for Gorham to join the Maine Downtown Network.
There are five major areas in Gorham that are zoned and designated for commercial or industrial development: New Portland Parkway on Libby Avenue; Narragansett Road (the former race track owned by Shawn Moody); the Shaw Brothers property on Route 237 behind its headquarters; the parcel of land across from Gateway Commons on Route 25; and Olde Canal Business Park off of Route 237.
The Olde Canal Business Park has only two remaining lots. It is approximately 10 years old and Ellsworth said, “for the first 8 1⁄2 years there was not much interest. Currently, Shuck’s Lobster has been permitted but has yet to move forward, and National Attachments is under construction.
New Portland Parkway on Libby Avenue is occupied by two landscape businesses and is mostly built out at this point.
The “former Racetrack,” as many Gorham residents know it, is a parcel on the corner of Narragansett Road and the Route 112 bypass. This parcel is currently owned by Shawn Moody and is unique because it has been rezoned to include an owner occupied commercial or industrial space. Ellsworth shared, “this is great for a startup type company because it adds a residential living space above the business, enabling the owner to live above his or her company.” This area is currently conceptualized for four to five commercial lots.
The Shaw Brothers lot behind its current headquarters on Route 237 is currently occupied by a gravel pit operation. Ellsworth estimated that it will be twenty years or more before this 100-acre parcel is ready for development, but he described it as a prime industrial location for future use.
Across from Gateway Commons on Route 25, another piece of property zoned for commercial or industrial development, is owned by Mark Rines, who lives out of state, but has roots in Gorham. The Route 112 bypass was named for Rines’ brother Bernard. While there are no known development plans for this piece of property, Ellsworth confirmed Rines “would consider selling if approached with the right offer.”
Currently, there is not enough available land to reach the goals of the GEDC and the Town of Gorham. Ellsworth concluded, “At any given time, we really should have 10-20 lots available to accommodate growth in Gorham.”