Waterville’s downtown has gotten new life with the Lockwood Hotel, Paul J. Schupf Art Center, downtown housing and other development. More than $200 million has been invested in the downtown.
Central Maine is fueling major growth of late. I was in Skowhegan when New Balance announced its plans for a $65 million expansion of the New Balance factory there. Add to that Sappi’s plans for reinvestment in its Somerset mill and a new elementary school, and Skowhegan has more than $600 million in new investment underway.
Augusta is seeing new investment and Waterville has had similar growth. Waterville’s downtown has gotten new life with the Lockwood Hotel, Paul J. Schupf Art Center, downtown housing and other development. More than $200 million has been invested in the downtown.
As Senior Writer Laurie Schreiber reports, other growth in Waterville centers around startups. She spent time talking to startups that have gone through the Dirigo Labs program. “Dirigo Labs is providing a valuable service to the Central Maine region — not just from the standpoint of individual businesses looking to accelerate their ventures but as a networking and support system where entrepreneurs, mentors and other interests work together to contribute to the local economy, innovation and job creation,” Laurie writes. “The pitch competition at the conclusion of the program helped drive the development of a clear and compelling vision for GTCA’s future success,” said Michael Greene, CEO of Genotyping of America, which is expanding in Waterville. See Page 16.
And Staff Writer Alexis Wells updates us on what’s going on with Waterville’s downtown redevelopment, including a new arts center. See Page 20.
The list for this issue is Entertainment and Sporting Venues, on Page 26..
