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Sponsored by: Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council
Updated: July 27, 2020 2020 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine

Sanford-Springvale

PHOTO from the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council The Historic Trust Building

Sanford-Springvale has the hallmarks of a true New England community. Going back generations, the downtown evokes historic roots: textile mills that gave the city its original identity, shade trees and parks, the flowing Mousam River and its beautiful waterfront.

Today, this dynamic city looks to the future, building on its unique position as the geographic center of New England and the population center of York County, Maine’s fastest-growing region.

There’s palpable energy among its businesses and residents who enjoy low cost of living, incredible access to natural resources, and historic character—all while constructing new infrastructure projects to forge the future.

Community Broadband

In recent years, a visionary project of the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council and the Sanford City Council created SanfordNet Fiber to catalyze the economy and attract new technology companies. The 45-mile high-speed fiber optic network, connected to key employers, is now the largest municipal broadband network operating in Maine.

With a focus on community anchor institutions, the network also prioritized industrial parks and the historic mill yard as critical commercial areas for development. Today, plans continue for expansion of the commercial network and consideration of expanded services to residential customers in the near future.

PHOTO from the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council
Relax in Central Park

Education

Sanford is proud to be home to the largest state-funded school construction project in Maine’s history. The $100 million construction of the integrated High School and Technical Center, which opened in the fall of 2018, positions Sanford’s next generations for college, advanced trade school, or work-ready options. Another $10 million was approved for the completion of a spectacular Performing Arts Center and athletic field enhancements. This year Sanford is also wrapping up the modernization of every Pre-K through 8th-grade building in the school system.

Airport Solar

Scheduled to wrap up this year, the new 150,000-panel solar power installation in and around Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport, capable of powering 20,000 homes, is a huge accomplishment as the largest solar project in Maine and the largest airport solar project in North America.

Downtown Partnerships

In 2018, municipal leaders called for renewed focus on municipal investment in downtown Sanford. The result? An ad hoc downtown committee and comprehensive Planning Partnership Initiative with MaineDOT to revitalize the downtown with newly paved roads, new streetlights and signal lights, and redesign of dangerous intersections and crosswalks—all with input from citizens and stakeholders to ensure a unified vision.

Job Opportunities

There are job opportunities here. Sanford Springvale offers the right combination of assets, extraordinary worker productivity, array of financial incentives, and quality of life that can’t be surpassed. Our location in the geographic center of New England along the I-95 corridor provides businesses and employees ready access to the entire region. Within a predictable 45-minute drive there are over 250,000 workers employed across all levels, including our own Tom’s of Maine, Hussey Seating, and Rubb Building Systems; regional employers Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and Pratt & Whitney; and a host of small-to-medium technology-driven, growth companies. We’re prepared to welcome you, your business and your family. Job prospects have never been brighter!.

A Revival with Purpose

In Sanford’s Central Park stands a bronze statue of Thomas Goodall, a community inspiration. The textile giant helped establish Sanford as one of the most affluent communities in Maine and the U.S. during the Industrial Revolution. His values—community, hard work, ingenuity—remain central as Sanford forges a prosperous future.

“We’ve been creative and resilient in Sanford~Springvale,” says Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council’s executive director, James F. Nimon. “All the foundational steps we’ve taken in recent years have set the stage for enhancing economic growth. We’ve highlighted some of the assets that position us well in the coming months, and we’re anxious to resume conversations with developers, businesses and workers. They need to remember just one thing—Sanford-Springvale: Your Future is Here.”

If you have questions or wish to take a look for yourself, please call or write us: (207) 324-9155, or contactus@sanfordgrowth.com. l

Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council

917 Main St., Suite D
Sanford, ME 04073

James F. Nimon, Executive Director

sanfordgrowth.com