Press Alert - Working Together To Build “One Dynamic Place”

Press Alert

April 22, 2013

Working Together To Build “One Dynamic Place”

Tuesday April 30, 2013

7:30 –9:00 AM

Ramada, Saco

$12 per person

Please join the cities of Biddeford and Saco, the Chamber, Economic Development Corporation, Heart of Biddeford and Saco Spirit as we take the next steps in launching a new branding initiative.

“Biddeford+Saco, Saco+Biddeford One Dynamic Place No Matter How You Say it”

Economic Development Directors Daniel Stevenson and Peter Morelli will speak to the audience and update us on recent development and what the future looks like for economic development for our region.

Will Armitage, Executive Director of Economic Development Corporation will be the MC for the event and will join Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Craig Pendleton in presenting the brand and brand statement, overall goals, and thoughts on potential use of the brand to entice business to our area.

Heart of Biddeford Executive Director Delilah Poupore will be joined by Saco Spirit Executive Director Nadeen DeSilva in a presentation of unique and optimistic ways local businesses and organizations may use the brand to attract customers and new business onto Main Street.

“Our organizations and city government economic development departments have collaborated in order to highlight the strength and character of Biddeford+Saco.”states Craig Pendleton.

According to Will Armitage, “Together, Biddeford+Saco is a major economic and political region, it is time to call attention to all the greatness we have and encourage people to consider locating their business here.” 

Mr. Pendleton Goes to Washington

Craig Pendleton, Executive Director of the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce, attended a national credit union conference recently in Washington D.C.  He would like to share his observations with Chamber members.

The keynote speaker was Tom Brokaw.  Mr. Brokaw shared his unique world with the attendees.  He narrated many stories about his meetings with such luminaries as Walter Cronkite, Senators Bob Dole, and the late Daniel Inouye of Hawaii.  Brokaw’s insights on America and how Congress functions were particularly interesting.  In a nutshell he stated both were in a mess.   His theme was “…big ideas unify us and small ideas divide us…”  With that said he gave examples of ideas which led to unification such as President Kennedy proclaiming we would land men on the moon; President Nixon, who sent Secretary of State Kissinger to China to open diplomatic and economic ties with that new giant of the world; and Franklin D. Roosevelt in whose Presidency the GI Bill was passed. All of these accomplishments, he pointed out, benefited the entire nation.

Brokaw expanded these “big ideas” to include a discussion of the importance of the military, specifically the National Guard.  He pointed out the military is important in time of war, and in generally protecting our citizens from foreign encroachment, but they serve many other functions especially in time of natural disasters.

Brokaw envisions a partnership to benefit the entire nation.   He suggested a public-private partnership to create what he called a group of “Fellows” who would be educated about serving the good of the nation and subsequently be asked to serve in public service for three years prior to entering the workforce.  He proposed this would be a step in exercising the leadership potential in all of us, and a method to understand leadership and to make a difference.

His definition of public serve was broad and meaningful.  He cited many examples such as learning to be a machinist and working to build parts for a bridge or becoming a doctor and serving in rural Maine because access to health care is limited and where there are too few health professionals. 

His message was one of hope for the future, of understanding where we are and where we should be. Brokaw suggested the nation’s leaders begin working together with the unselfish goal of serving the entire nation, rather than concentrate on their own limited electorate. 

On Tuesday Craig attended a breakfast at the Russell Senate Office Building with Maine’s four members of Congress, noting he had an excellent visit with Senator King.   He also discussed economic development in Biddeford+Saco with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. 

Pingree serves on the Agriculture Committee and Craig discussed his recent election to the Food Commons Board and the concept of a cooperatively owned grocery store, which would be a perfect fit in our mill district.  He was able to go to the Congresswoman’s office and discuss the concept of the Food Commons Board, in detail with her staff. Craig issued a formal invitation for her to visit our area when she returned to Maine.

Congressman Mike Michaud was able to meet with Craig and others.  Congressman Michaud is currently at odds with the Defense Department which gives soldiers an allowance for athletic clothing and the subsequent possibility they could purchase equipment which is not American made.  The current law says American Soldiers must be outfitted from head to toe with products made in the USA.  As an example he wants to outfit the military with American Made Products such as New Balance Sneakers made in Maine. 

Speaker of the House John Boener was the keynote speaker on the second day.  The trip to Washington D.C. was not only insightful but beneficial.  Unquestionably, the Conference allowed Craig a tremendous amount of information to pass on to all of our Regional Business Members.

Health Care Reform & What It Means To You!

Dear Members,

On January 11, the Biddeford+Saco Chamber joined 6 other Chambers and sponsored an event at York County Community College on Health Care Reform.

Sen. Collins provided her legal counsel from DC and Cathy Goodwin from her Biddeford office and they were joined by another health care guru from NWB Group.

First and foremost, the health care issue is extremely complicated and as the powers in DC filter through the thousands of pages of the law, there are continuous updates and changes occurring.  The presenters did a good job of explaining what they know to date.

We will continue working with our elected officials and as we receive information we will pass it along to you.

Please see link on the Health Care Presentation

Best,

Craig A. Pendleton

Below is Cathy Goodwin's contact info in case you have specific comments and questions for Senator Collins.

Cathy Goodwin

State Office Representative

U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins

York County State Office

160 Main St. Suite 103

Biddeford, ME 04005

207-283-1101/fax 207-283-4054

To sign up for Senator Collins' weekly e-newsletter, Click Here

Hurricane Sandy , Camp Ellis, Ferry Beach – Our Future

Hurricane Sandy , Camp Ellis, Ferry Beach –Our Future

Having grown up in Ferry Beach-Saco, I can’t help but think back to all the storms and erosion I have seen in my lifetime.  If you travel to the breakwater in Camp Ellis and arrive at low tide, you will still see piping inside the small arm that was built off the main breakwater.  Some of that piping belonged to my grandparent’s home.  Today at high tide it is more than 10 feet deep at that spot.  That is a historical accounting to help you realize how much erosion has taken place in the last 50 years. 

The City of Saco has painstakingly repaired roads, removed debris, sandbagged and barricaded for years.  Surf Street that travels along the beach through Ferry Beach was a popular road used to catch a beautiful view of Saco Bay.  Now it is walkable at best and “Sandy” did her best to do damage once more.

The point for bringing this issue up is that we need to enter into a serious discussion.  What are we going to do to minimize future damage while at the same time, capitalize on encouraging visitors to come to our beaches-especially Camp Ellis and Ferry Beach?  For many years, the Army Corps of Engineers have studied and studied and studied the erosion problem.  They have built scale models and can show how the wave action impacts the coast.  The latest conclusion is to build a rock structure that runs parallel to the beach.  In theory, this structure would slow down the wave velocity before it hit the shoreline and create a water flow that would swirl the sand in behind the structure and replenish the beach.  Of course, this comes with costs such as building the structure, which may be absorbed by the Army Corps via Federal funding and long term costs of maintenance that would fall on the City. Other costs could include buying up some property in order to create a barrier between the ocean and the taxable properties. I know I am barely scratching the surface of this complex issue but I think you see the picture.

The City has received a report from Charles Lawton of Planning Decisions that makes three suggestions. Greatly paraphrasing, the three solutions are: do nothing, do something or accept the Army corps suggestions.  Here is a link to the report so you can read it:  http://www.sacomaine.org/archives/campellisfiles/camp_ellis_fiscal_impact_analysis.pdf  

For this article, let’s chose to do what the Army Corps suggested.  Let’s get the breakwater built, let’s add dredging the river and replenishing the sand so we get a head start on rebuilding the beach and let’s get public works down on the beach picking up rocks and debris, rebuilding rock walls and making Surf Street safe for pedestrians.

Here is where the Chamber plays a role.  Soon, the Chamber, the two cities, Saco Spirit, Heart of Biddeford and Biddeford Saco Area Economic Development Corporation will be unveiling and implementing a new regional brand.  Better stated- a new positive community image that will be used to promote economic development as well as renewed community pride.  This brand will be used by the Chamber as we develop new marketing materials to encourage visitors to come to our beautiful region.  We will capitalize on our participation in Maine Beaches Association and get our materials in front of over 100,000 individuals attending 8 tourism trade shows between Montreal Canada and Philadelphia.  We can work with the City of Saco to create incentives for start up businesses –even if they are seasonal.  The Chamber can invest in kiosks around town and at the Camp Ellis Pier that will have maps and brochures identifying businesses and beautiful sights.  We can promote the Eastern Trail and encourage people to bike and walk to the beach to ease some traffic burden.  We can promote Biddeford-Saco on the trains and buses. The cities will also be launching a wayfinding project with unique signage connecting the cities and promoting great places, like our beaches, to visit.   The Chamber will encourage people to visit Ferry Beach State Park and enjoy one of the most unique State Parks in Maine-one where you can walk wooded trails on one side of the street and then walk safely through a tunnel under Seaside Ave. onto a beautiful relaxing beach.

I think you see my point.  By taking a positive approach and recognizing that all our businesses need customers and investing in one of our greatest assets- beaches. We can encourage growth and prosperity in Biddeford-Saco. We can increase business which will help spread out tax revenues across a larger population.  This action is long over-due.  We cannot sit back and watch such a productive and beautiful area wash away.  Let’s find a path to accomplish this goal. 

Best,
Craig A. Pendleton

Biddeford-Saco Water Company merges with Maine Water

It has been announced that Biddeford-Saco Water Company will merge with Maine Water. Naturally, a significant announcement like this has raised some questions in the community. Biddeford-Saco Water Co. is a privately owned company that has been around for 100 plus years. They have provided excellent service and maintain a very critical water infrastructure in our cities. Growing needs for operating capital to maintain and upgrade our water system led to the decision to partner with Maine Water. With this area poised to benefit from increased economic development, the merger appears to be prudent, and the result of careful planning.

Representatives of Maine Water stopped by the Chamber to introduce themselves. Jerry Mansfield of Biddeford-Saco Water Company also joined us in a conversation.

It was interesting to find out that Maine Water has operated in several municipalities in Maine for over 100 years. We discussed some core issues I would like to share with you.

1. Maine Water operates with focus on customers, communities, employees and the environment.      
2. There will be no loss of local existing jobs as this merger takes place. The local office will remain open, and it will be business as usual.
3.  Biddeford-Saco Water Co. had planned to file for a rate increase in 2012, but thanks to this agreement that request will be delayed until 2013, and maybe even 2014.
4. As always and unfortunately, some feel compelled to spread misinformation. The rumor mill has incorrectly suggested that Connecticut Water, which owns Maine Water, is somehow connected to Nestle’s Corporation, and that they will deplete our water resources and leave town. Simply not true. In fact: the Charter for the Biddeford-Saco Water Company states that the use of the Saco River is specifically for public water usage to the communities it serves. It specifically does not allow for water bottling or non-public usage. 

The Chamber will continue to be engaged with Maine Water and Biddeford-Saco Water Company and will keep our communities’ interests front and center. I am grateful to both companies for proactively reaching out and emphasizing that they consider the Chamber to be a working partner, particularly as we pursue a common goal, robust economic expansion in Biddeford-Saco.

Generosity ...

As I was driving home from the Chamber’s 8th Annual Business and Employment Expo,

I was feeling very happy and rewarded.  As I sometimes do, I wondered what was behind this good feeling and it came to me- generosity.  Biddeford-Saco has a wealth of generosity.  I am exposed to it every day at the Chamber. Our members have donated goods and services; they volunteer their time, skills and knowledge; and they do it in good times and when things are a bit grey and cloudy.

Generosity is a core value that I hope will prevail as we begin the branding project scheduled for October 2, 3 and 4.  Generosity is something that doesn’t need to be politically correct, Democrat or Republican, poor or affluent, English, French, Irish Greek or any other category we could list.  Generosity comes from the heart. It stems from a belief that giving, so that others can enjoy and benefit, brings more goodness than any amount of money ever could.

At the Expo, we saw generosity at its best.  Over 80 businesses participated in making this year’s event a success.  Everyone welcomed job seekers with smiles and optimism-even if they weren’t hiring.  Businesses displayed their wares, networked with one another and friendships were made that will lead to future commerce-one way or another.  I think I walked 20 miles as I stopped in to talk with many of the businesses and participants.  I know I had a permanent smile all day as I took in the sights.  I enjoyed watching the conversations-some very animated, some very serious.  Business is not all about money-business is the making of friendships and relationships that lead to prosperity.

And with that being said, Thank you seems pretty meager.  Thank you is what the English language has given us to express feelings and to recognize your generosity.  Please accept my Thank-you Biddeford-Saco for your surplus of generosity. And keep focusing on the qualities that bond us together rather than the negatives that try and drive us apart.

Best,
Craig A. Pendleton

Maine Voices: Manufacturing in Maine poised to grow – but where are the workers?

For years now, we have listened to elected officials and so-called experts declare that manufacturing and innovation are dead in Maine.  I would like to make the case that both are, in fact, alive and poised to grow substantially, especially in Southern Maine.

But in order for growth to happen, we must set a new course.  As a result of the upswing in college enrollment over the past few decades, individuals now often perceive vocational training to be set-aside for under-achievers, troublemakers or non-college types.  We perpetuate outdated manufacturing work place stories of long hours, low pay and unsafe working conditions.

These false perceptions discourage potential workers from pursuing vocational training. All too often, we hear that the lack of a skilled workforce hinders the potential of local companies. Collectively, we must honor our manufacturing tradition and the innovative spirit of Maine workers by refocusing our education system to better address today’s workplace needs.

Take a moment and consider looking under the hood of your hybrid car and having to fix its gas-electric engine. Think about the last time you called a plumber, electrician, or electronics technician and winced at the hourly rate.  We should be encouraging our youth to pursue careers in these highly skilled vocations. Maine can position itself to have a world class “fix it and build it” workforce.  Did you know that…

·         The outer-protective coating on the rover that landed on Mars was developed and created right here at Fiber Materials in Biddeford?

·         Based on findings from the aftermath of 9-11, Sterling Rope in Biddeford developed a non-flammable rope and hook mechanism that may have saved First Responders lives, and also supplies rock-climbing rope to professionals worldwide?

·         Yale Cordage of Saco has significantly aided deep-sea research with its development of super strong, neutrally buoyant rope, and also outfits America’s Cup sailboats?

·         Xuron Corporation in Saco makes over 100 products from high tech cutters to tools that aid fly tying and jewelry makers, which are sold internationally and proudly display a Made in America label?

The Biddeford-Saco region is home to a vibrant manufacturing community that contains 73 manufacturing facilities and employs 2,942 workers.  The total wages of these companies exceeds $124 million with an average salary of $49,287. Biddeford-Saco’s manufacturing sector maintains eighteen percent of the area’s total employment, exceeding statewide numbers by five percent. These numbers clearly prove that manufacturing is alive and well.

One way the Chamber of Commerce promotes local business is by serving as a resource to candidates for public office.  Recently, former Governor Angus King and current Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate scheduled a visit to North-Dam Mill in Biddeford specifically to discuss manufacturing and workforce development. At the meeting, we focused on how innovation, vision, collaboration and determination are revitalizing the mill district. We highlighted how light manufacturing could be a great neighbor to an arts district.  Our discussion centered on what we we’re seeing on the ground, where government can play a role to help business and where government should get out of the way. Consistently, we found the need for a higher level of certainty and smart decision-making as it relates to government regulation. Finally, we were able to successfully connect Governor King with this region’s business owners to hear their concerns and share their optimism. The Chamber offers this service to all candidates and we believe it greatly benefits our members.

The time has come for us to rewrite the story of manufacturing. Manufacturing is sexy and rewarding.  It requires highly skilled workers, offers good pay and benefits as well as the opportunity for career advancement. Many manufacturing jobs are available in the Biddeford-Saco Region, as are affordable homes where workers can raise their families. Furthermore, this region has excellent access to higher education such as University of New England and the University College System, which can develop the technical workforce required in today’s global economy. Local financial institutions have money to lend at historically low interest rates and Generation Y is the largest population bubble since World War II. 

Elected officials must take note that manufacturing is alive, ensure that we protect good jobs in our state and prepare the next generation with the skills they need to compete and prosper. Good governing comes from good listening and connection to the business community. We thank Governor King for reaching out to us and encourage other candidates to do the same so that together we can create a prosperous future.

Craig Pendleton