Mainebiz

28 VO L . X X V N O. V I M A R C H 1 8 , 2 0 1 9 of 16,600 long before Colby's recent investment. Mitchell fell in love with com- mercial development when he and his father partnered on a commercial project in 2001. A few years later, the younger Mitchell bought GHM's Main Street building. Over the years, he's bought and rehabbed distressed property across Waterville. A recent project was last year's addi- tion of a 13,500-square-foot building at Penny Hill Park, a commercial com- plex on Kennedy Memorial Drive that he bought in 2012. He is also renovating the 27,000-square-foot former American Legion post on College Avenue into an event center than will accommodate 500, space the city has lacked. When talking about his projects, Mitchell frequently says, "It's a great property, it just needed a little TLC." Mitchell is "bullish on Waterville and its citizens," says Kim Lindlof, executive director of the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. "He believes in a bright future and has invested accordingly." Mitchell also created the Boys & Girls Club-YMCA backpack program, which provides weekend food to 125 children, and last year led a fundraising effort to make funding sustainable. A full circle Lindlof says Waterville wouldn't be what it is "without the influence and business acumen of the Mitchell family." "Billy Mitchell has not only con- tinued his family's tradition, but built upon it with thoughtful investment and community-oriented economic development support," she says. Mitchell recently answered the city's request for qualifications for a mixed-use development at Head of Falls, a long-vacant 20-acre lot along the Kennebec River. e area was once part of the Lebanese neighborhood his father's family grew up, including Bill's uncle, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell. Mitchell's father was the city's urban renewal director from 1966 to 1978, when the mill on the Head of Falls site was razed. e city has yet to make a decision about a developer. Mitchell says his project is "ambitious." Even if he's not chosen, he wants some role in devel- oping the site. When he looks at it, he sees "beauti- ful green space about to be redeveloped." He also sees a full circle — his father's old neighborhood and the lessons he imparted to his son. "It all helped me get to where I am today," he says. Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz staff writer, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E CEI helps grow good jobs, environmentally sustainable enterprises and shared prosperity through financing, advising and policy advocacy. To work with us, call 207-504-5900 www.ceimaine.org Coastal Enterprises, Inc. 30 Federal Street, Brunswick, ME 04011 Building an economy that works for everyone WWW.BOWMANCONSTRUC TORS.COM (207) 368-2405 Your Commercial Building Solution BANGOR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION With generations of experience in the construction management field, Bowman Constructors offers value and service for a wide variety of projects throughout Maine. The diversity of our work and the specialized needs of our clients demands the ability to adapt to individual project conditions with innovative solutions and results — this is what we do at Bowman Constructors. To learn how we can bring our design/build expertise to your project contact us, today. — Kevin Bowman, Brian Bowman An award winning, family- owned, general contracting firm since 1987 5 QUESTIONS Age: 57 Leadership icon: It's hard to pick one but I'd say my father and his siblings — they've all been great leaders in various ways and a huge inspiration to me. Maine's biggest challenge: To change the perception that there are no opportunities for young people in Maine to pursue their career goals and objectives. Maine's biggest opportunity: To educate our young people and show them the many great things — career opportunities, quality of life, great place to settle and raise a family — Maine has to offer. Best business advice: My parents always urged me to get a good education, to work hard, to give back to our community by helping others and to treat people as you want to be treated. Bill Mitchell For any small business to survive, you have to adapt. — Bill Mitchell GMH Insurance P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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