Photo / Maureen Milliken
Auburn is taking steps to fully capture a burst of economic development activity.
November 17, 2020
Auburn looks to build on development surge with new staff structure, marketing
Image / City of Auburn YouTube channel
Auburn city officials held a news conference Monday unveiling a new economic development staff structure and marketing campaign.
By Maureen Milliken
Surging development and a desire to lure more businesses and residents to Auburn are drivers behind a reinvigorated economic development focus, and it includes restructuring the city's economic development department.
Auburn officials at a news conference Monday said the new structure would help streamline projects, touted the city's development capacity, and unveiled a new motto: "Auburn, Maine, where your next opportunity is closer than you think."
“This is the culmination of years of hard work — crafting policy, creating concept, connecting with residents and businesses," Mayor Jason Levesque said at the afternoon news conference, held on Zoom, the city's YouTube channel and Facebook page. “Here in Auburn, we believe in a future that delivers opportunities for those who recognize and appreciate all our city has to offer.”
The city has had "unprecedented growth," City Manager Phil Crowell said, prompting a reconfiguration of the city's economic development team.
There are currently permits for 155.551 square feet of space expected to be issued this month, representing $17 million in construction costs, officials said. Since July 1, Auburn has issued permits totaling approximately $21 million in construction costs over 300,000 square feet of residential and commercial and industrial space.
In the first half of the year, the city issued building permits that total 288,000 square feet, and the planning board approved sites totaling $55.8 million, with 269,000 square feet of new floor area, as well as two solar projects totaling $34 million in investment with 80 acres of new panels.
Auburn has a population of 23,000 and more than 38,000 acres of land, of which more than 50% is under-developed or undeveloped.
The new economic development structure includes new Director of Planning and Permitting Eric Cousens, who was most recently deputy director of economic and community development. Glen Holmes has been named director of business and community development; and Jay Brenchick has been named as director of economic development.
“Auburn is fortunate to have many outstanding businesses who have been part of the fabric of our community for many years,” Crowell said. “We need to come alongside those businesses, assist with expansions, focus on workforce development strategies, and explore financial tools to help make them more successful.
“It is vital for Auburn to support smart growth and attract new business,” he added.
Building on a track record
Levesque said the city already has a track record aimed at generating economic development. He pointed to financial incentives that value $2.5 million, fast-track permitting and planning approval, several city-owned shovel-ready lots, the fact that much of downtown is in an Opportunity Zone, and "a predictable regulatory environment" that he says encourages economic growth.
The new economic development structure will help streamline development projects, the officials said, with a one-stop coordinated experience from initial discussions, to site location assistance, incentives to overcome hurdles, and local and state-delegated permit reviews. The downtown form-based code districts and preapproved industrial and commercial subdivision lots are eligible for quick staff level site development approvals for most uses, Levesque said.
Assistant City Manager Brian Wood said the city's fast-track response to the COVID-19 crisis in March, including one of the state's first microgrant and loan programs, is indicative of its business focus.
Levesque said, too, the city council "understands and appreciates what new residents, businesses and commerce can bring." He mentioned that the council was scheduled Monday night to discuss exempting veterans and veteran-owned small businesses from new construction and permit fees in order to encourage them to come to Auburn.
Wood said, “We are committed to continuing to build upon the amazing, storied, and dynamic history that has made Auburn this unique blend of urban, suburban and rural. We continue to support and invest in our community and in our businesses that call Auburn home.”
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