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Sponsored by: Windham Economic Development Corporation
Updated: August 2, 2021 2021 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine

Windham Economic Development Corporation

PHOTO by Sky High Maine The new Windham branch of Bangor Savings Bank and the Cross Insurance Agency nearing completion in the North Windham Downtown District.

Business Development For a Regional Center of Prosperity

Windham Economic Development Corporation is proud to be celebrating our 30th year (incorporated 1992).

Windham has grown immensely over the last 30 years and we are proud of the work we have helped accomplish along the way. Acting as the economic development arm of the Town of Windham – the gateway to the Sebago Lakes Region – we work to implement strategies that will increase business activity, increase employment opportunities, and improve the quality of life for those who have made Windham home to their families and businesses.

Our Mission: To encourage economic growth and development in a manner that supports increased prosperity in the Town of Windham and improves the quality of life for all its citizens.

Our Vision: To create a business-friendly environment that provides a high quality of life, a vibrant economy, and a welcoming atmosphere, while protecting our town’s rural characteristics and natural resources.

As in other communities, economic development successes take many forms and varying times to see the economic return. In December 2009, the WEDC purchased a 10-acre parcel at the northern end of the North Windham Commercial District to assist the Town in its and the State’s efforts to reconfigure a busy intersection along Route 302 and then to redevelop the site into commercial property.

To cut what turned into a 10-year project into one sentence, the intersection improvements were completed in April 2017, and the last of the commercial properties were sold in October 2019. All three of the parcels are now contributing to the tax rolls, and two of the parcels have new construction on them.

In another instance, the WEDC advocated for over four years to change the allowable uses in our Commercial 3 Zone to include Contractor Services. Within one year of those Town Council approved changes, construction started on the first Contractor Services office and garage building in the C3 Zone.

Successes take their own path if we are patient enough to see them through.

Significant Projects

21st Century Downtown:

  • Wastewater Treatment in North Windham Commercial District
  • Commercial District Zoning Ordinance changes
  • “North Windham Moves” initiative
  • Making significant improvements within the busy Route 302 corridor with innovative approaches to access roads, bike, and pedestrian safety, as well as traffic management

South Windham Village Revitalization:

  • Former South Windham Fire Station: Redevelopment into a Restaurant and Brew House
  • Former Andrews School: Redevelopment into Senior Housing and a Neighborhood Center
  • Keddy Mill Superfund Site: Clean up and redevelopment

We are here to assist you in reaching your business goals. We partner with experts from the Small Business Development Centers to work with you in developing your business plan. The www.WindhamMaineRetail.com website provides access to demographic and market analysis recently collected by the WEDC.

When you are ready to start your business we are here to work with you through any local permitting and approval process required. We will list your business in our business directory www.WindhamMarketplace.com. We work collaboratively with individual businesses and the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce to promote Windham and the Region as a great place to shop, eat and play, and to locate your business.

WEDC Programs

  • Windham Farmers Market: A market for local and Sebago Lakes Region farms, food producers, and artisans from May to October.
  • Windham SmallBiz360 with retail market analysis partner The Retail Coach: Provides business-specific market analysis, while preparing businesses for the future with website and social media presence and e-commerce options
  • Micro-loan Program
  • Lakes Region Broadband Partnership

Please feel free to meet with us early in your planning process. We can help you better understand the municipal process. We can also make connections to experts who can help you with planning and startup.

Please give us a call or drop us an email.

Windham Economic Development Corporation

8 School Road
Windham, ME 04062

Thomas Bartell, Executive Director
(207) 892-1936 / thbartell@windhammaine.us

www.WindhamMaineEDC.com
Facebook: WindhamEconomicDevelopmentCorporation