08/10/20 SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER

It has been a busy year for the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC); as we have been working diligently on a number of exciting short and long-term projects that benefit the Moosehead Lake Region. The following are some of the major projects and initiatives we are currently engaged with, as well as other noteworthy economic activities occurring in our region. MLREDC ActivitiesMLREDC Activities: Downtown Revitalization To further support the revitalization of downtown Greenville and implement the Downtown Plan, the MLREDC has acquired the property at the corner of Pritham Avenue and Lakeview Street for further redevelopment and open space activities. We acquired this parcel with the goals of selling the Pritham Avenue portion to investors for development purposes and converting the Lakeview portion to a community park, in accordance with the Greenville Downtown Plan. We are pleased to report that we have accomplished both of these goals. You will start seeing the Pritham parcel being commercially redeveloped this fall. And thanks to a number of grants and contributions, we are now developing the park space to provide public access (with public docks) to and from Moosehead Lake, in perpetuity. Funds to help with docking systems would be helpful. Steve Doe, Landscape Architect and Senior Project Manager at Sebago Technics, Inc., continues to work on plans for the property. Most of the site work and landscaping is on target to be completed this summer. Some work closer to the road will have to be postponed due to upcoming work planned for Lakeview St. Town Manager Mike Roy said that work on that street will not commence until spring of 2021. Administrator Shelagh Talbot will get the word out to any volunteers interested in helping with planting and watering plants later on in August or early September. ~ SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER ~ EJ Richardson, seller of lakefront property on Lakeview St. with Att. Bill Fletcher and Steve Levesque, Executive Director of the MLREDC at Crafts Landing signing in June 2020. (Talbot photo) Free WIFI We have been working with Internet service provider Axiom Technologies to extend the free downtown WIFI connectivity. With the new technology, free Internet service will extend from Shaw Public Library to Moosehead Traders and down Pritham Avenue to the Stress Free Moose. Thanks to significant investments and support of Premium Broadband, the free Internet service is also available in the Greenville Junction, near Balance Gym & Wellness Center. Downtown Greenville The Downtown Committee is working with the Town to spruce up the downtown village planting flowering crabapple trees on Moosehead Lake Rd between Moosehead Traders and the Big Apple Store. And Henry Gilbert, owner of Jamo’s Pizza cleared the canal on Pritham Avenue. These small improvements will make the downtown village more inviting for all. Affordable Workforce Housing Development The MLREDC is under contract to acquire a 5.45 acre parcel on Spruce Street in Greenville for the development of affordable workforce housing to meet a significant unmet need in the community. The parcel has an approved subdivision plan for up to 20 single family homes and duplexes. Our goal is to renew the plan and partner with a reputable developer to construct and sell the homes to working families. Small Business Loan Program This fall, the MLREDC will be presenting a new revolving loan program aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses in the Moosehead Lake Region. Stay tuned for the exciting roll-out of this program! Regional Wayfinding - Phase Two The Wayfinding committee has completed phase two of the Moosehead Lake Region Wayfinding Initiative, which includes four information kiosks in the region as well as pedestal signs for maps and information. Look for the new information kiosks at the Moosehead Visitors Center (Rt. 15), Downtown Greenville near the boardwalk, the Greenville Junction Wharf and the Rockwood Public Landing. Artisan Cottages We are excited to welcome back artisans in a new location in Greenville. The Artisan cottages are now located in the parking lot across from Moosehead Traders right downtown. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we will not be able to accommodate many artisans this season and will limit leasing to artists residing locally. (Talbot photo) Robin Gardella in front of her Artisan Cottage in downtown Greenville. Talbot photo REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ski Mountain Redevelopment The MLREDC continues to support the efforts of the potential new developers of the ski mountain to acquire the property and turn it into a four-season resort complex. We are very excited about this plan which, when realized, will bring several hundred good paying long-term jobs to our region. Stay tuned for exciting announcements. (Photo from the good old days. Courtesy of the Moosehead Historical Society) Fly-In 2021 Unfortunately, the Fly-In was cancelled this year due to COVID but Telford Allen reports that next year’s event will be bigger and even better. For one thing, townspeople may purchase tickets to the various events and are welcome to attend them, including the Lobster/Steak Dinner, the Thursday Cruise on The Katahdin, and the music at Telford’s Moosehead Aero Marine hangar on the water in downtown Greenville. The band Maine Street R&B Revue is already booked to perform. (Fly-In Greenville a few years ago. Talbot photo) Community Solar Farm – Monson Tyler Adkins of Monson has been on the front lines of the clean energy revolution for more than a decade and says that now is an interesting time for solar development in Maine because new policies voted in allow for much smaller community plots. He is currently installing a solar farm on his land on the North Guilford Road on a little less than an acre of land which will consist of 420 solar panels which will produce about 165 Kilowatts (the average household uses about 5 Kilowatts). The savings generated by these solar panels translated into about $31,000 for members that would like to sign on to the program – Adkins says somewhere between 20 to 25 customers. His partner Kyle Clark oversees the ecosystem service enhancement activities of Maine Community Power projects, including pollinator habitat management and Agrivoltaic research. One interesting thing about these modern panels is they collect energy from the sun as well as reflective energy from the ground. Their favorite weather? Cold sunny days with snow on the ground making the best reflection. Guess that pretty much describes our part of Maine! People are welcome to contact him about this project – his phone is 207-749-9478. Visit his webpage at www.mainecommunitypower.com. Pictured here is Adkins with the screws that hold the panels firmly in the ground. (Talbot photo) Dove Tail Bats in Shirley adds new activity building A new spacious building is rising up at Dove Tail Bats on Route 15 in Shirley. This is a multipurpose building that will include indoor batting cages, a climbing wall, full gym and workout area. According to owner Paul Lancisi they hope to open the facility by late August (depending on COVID restrictions). At right Paul Lancisi stands at the site of a new batting facility. (Photo courtesy of Bangor Daily News photo/Ernie Clark) The Dockside Inn & Tavern is now open Administrator We have a new MLREDC Administrator – Shelagh Talbot. She has lived in the Greenville area for 20 years and has worked in the print world for all that time – newspapers and magazines primarily. Prior to that she worked in the Art Department of numerous films and television shows. She hails originally from Bennington, Vermont and loves living beside beautiful Moosehead Lake. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for recent news. Comments and suggestions are always welcome as is your support of this engaged organization to improve the economic profile of the Moosehead Lake Region we call home. If you would like to learn more about projects or initiatives the MLREDC is working on, or be included in our volunteer opportunities or newsletters, please reach out to her: shelagh.talbot@yahoo.com, or 207-695-7927.