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Sponsored by: Town of Gorham
Updated: July 27, 2020 2020 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine

Town of Gorham

PHOTO Courtesy of Town of Gorham Shaw Park on the Presumpscot River

Picture rolling green hills, a vibrant urban village, a bustling industrial park. Throw in a college campus, riverfront recreation and a top-rated public school system and you get a sense of everything the Town of Gorham has to offer.

Gorham long ago established itself as a hub of agriculture, manufacturing and commerce in Southern Maine. Today, robust economic development fosters business attraction, retention and job creation, and expanded infrastructure and collaborations point to a vibrant future.

Gorham Industrial Park expansion

Building off the success of the at-capacity Gorham Industrial Park, voters approved the purchase, design and construction of the park’s next phase—the addition of 141 acres of adjacent land to create up to 24 new lots averaging five acres each.

The goal? Attract commercial, manufacturing and industrial businesses of all sizes, from Maine and beyond, and provide incubator space to grow entrepreneurship and the Maine economy.

Gorham Industrial Park, on Route 25 near the Gorham/Westbrook line, provides convenient access to I-95 and other major corridors. With engineering firm Milone and MacBroom on deck as lead consultant, the expansion is on its way toward welcoming businesses with site-specific enhancements to suit their unique needs.

Collaborative Culture to Support Businesses

PHOTO Courtesy of Town of Gorham
Jotul North America is based in Gorham.

Gorham is known for a collaborative culture that brings municipal, nonprofit, education and private sectors together to meet the needs of the business community.

This spirit of cooperation was highlighted during the pandemic, when the Town worked with the Gorham Business Exchange and Gorham Village Alliance to launch GorhamStrong and its “Split the Tab” campaign to assist the business community. “Split the Tab” offered discounted gift certificates to participating businesses, generating an outpouring of community support. The Gorham Economic Development Corporation is utilizing the town’s revolving loan fund program to assist Gorham businesses through fast-tracked loans under $25,000; in general, the fund supports businesses through loans up to $150,000 at affordable rates and terms.

“Gorham residents care for and about each other, and work together to make Gorham a desirable place to live, work and play,” said Kathy Garrard, President of the Gorham Village Alliance. “GVA is proud of its strong partnerships with the Town and with residents and the business community. They contribute to our success in supporting businesses and making positive changes to Gorham’s downtown for the benefit of all.“

That collaborative spirit is further highlighted through regular meetings between education and business leaders to identify ways the Gorham School District, the University of Southern Maine and the business community can provide job readiness and experiential learning opportunities for youth, thus ensuring Gorham’s continued growth.

Active and Connected

Gorham offers easy access to outdoor recreation while hosting entrepreneurship and innovation. Gorham boasts over 35 miles and counting in hiking, biking and walking trails on public and private land, including one of Maine’s few outdoor bike “pump” tracks. These trails are accessible from residential and business districts, drawing thousands of people year-round to enjoy Gorham’s clean air and healthy environment.

Gorham Village offers an engaging mix of boutique shops, homegrown retail and quality dining that is a source of pride for residents. Many small business owners have strong ties to Gorham and are committed to contributing to the local economy and community. The Husky Line, part of Greater Portland Metro, connects Gorham, Westbrook, Portland and the two USM campuses, featuring a Wi-Fi-enabled natural gas fleet of buses.

Some of Maine’s most innovative and technologically advanced companies call Gorham home, including Harvey Performance Company, which is poised to open a brand-new 79,000-square-foot manufacturing facility this summer.

“We have always had a great relationship with the Town during our 15 years in Gorham,” said Steve Vatcher, VP Operations at Harvey Performance Company. “One of the best decisions we made was to remain in the Town of Gorham when we were ready to expand into a larger facility. The Town acted as a business partner every step of the way.”

Town of Gorham

75 South St.
Gorham, ME 04038

Kevin Jensen,
Economic Development Director
(207) 222-1628 / kjensen@gorham.me.us

www.gorhammaine.org