Photo / Maureen Milliken
Fairfield has launched a survey on how best to use its geographic assets to build economic development.
January 29, 2021
Fairfield seeks input on how to leverage river, location for economic development
Courtesy / Fairfield Economic Development Committee
The Kennebec River cuts through Fairfield, with downtown to the left, and the town government is looking for input on ways to better leverage the river, geographic position and more for development.
By Maureen Milliken
Fairfield is looking to build on recent economic development efforts by finding better ways to use the Kennebec River and other town water bodies for growth, and its seeking input from the business community and residents.
The Fairfield Economic and Community Development Committee has launched a survey asking the community to weigh in on possible economic development opportunities that leverage the town's geographic assets, the river and its islands. The committee said it hopes the survey will help identify new potential development projects, particularly related to waterfront accessibility.
The town of 6,700 has a central geography on the Kennebec-Somerset county line, access to Interstate 95 and location along the Kennebec River, offering unique growth and recreational opportunities, said Town Manager Michelle Flewelling.
“Feedback that is received will be used to prioritize and evaluate development initiatives and quality of life projects, including potential enhancements to riverfront open spaces, downtown vibrancy, and community connectivity," she said in a news release announcing the survey. "Our community and their suggestions toward bettering Fairfield’s characteristics is the key objective of this survey.”
The input from town residents and business owners answering the survey will go directly to the committee and town council and help town government form plans for future grant funding and project development possibilities.
“Public engagement and robust community input data are vital to designing projects and implementing the long-term success of development initiatives,” said Garvan Donegan, director of innovation, planning and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council. “This survey will allow FECDC to broaden public input from the community across key planning themes and will assist in identifying prospective projects and grant possibilities.”
One of the questionnaire's main focuses is the town's water bodies, most notably the Kennebec River, but also Messalonskee Stream, Fish and Emery brooks, and a variety of small ponds. The town also has six islands in the river, some connected by bridges to downtown and Benton on the other side.
Fairfield seeks input on public boat launch accessibility, enhancement and maintenance of the playground on Mill Island and construction of a concert venue space there. Mill Island Park is owned and managed by the town for public use during the day, and can be reserved for events, including recreational activities, after-school programming and family gatherings.
Building on development efforts
The town of is in between two other larger communities — Waterville and Skowhegan — that have taken robust and creative approach to downtown development in recent years. Skowhegan in particular is taking advantage of its Kennebec River position, developing a $5 million white water rafting park, a popular craft brew festival and other initiatives to make the town a destination.
Fairfield in recent years has developed a grant program for local businesses that pays for things like fixing exteriors, job creation and marketing.
Flewelling said the development plans that grow from the survey will also build on the local effort, encouraging and expanding on local business and resident involvement in the town's development efforts. She said she hopes all Fairfield residents and business owners respond to the survey, which can be found on the town's website.
“We greatly appreciate the feedback from residents, and we look forward to incorporating their views into our community and economic development planning efforts,” she said.
The survey is the latest in the town's effort to build a stronger economic development foundation, an effort that is showing results, Donegan recently told Mainebiz.
“The vitality of Fairfield’s downtown, commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods has continued to catalyze positive growth and create tangible change,” Donegan said. “Fairfield’s investments into the community and local businesses emphasizes the importance of stimulating local impact and creating conditions of economic resiliency.”
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