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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 29 A P R I L 1 7 , 2 0 2 3 F O C U S R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G "e event allowed me to go over what is happening in the town, col- laborate and provide resources for local businesses," says Desjardins. "I wanted businesses to meet me and know that the economic development team is here if they have any questions or concerns." Desjardins is working with Saco Main Street on an audit of downtown buildings, with the goal of determin- ing what is available and/or vacant. She plans to reach out to business owners to see if the businesses need any help from the department or could benefit from one of their grant programs. Town grant program and business resources ere are incentives for businesses to open or expand in Saco. Saco offers a grant program called the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building will support entrepreneurship, innovation and post-pandemic eco- nomic recovery. Saco Main Street and Heart of Biddeford have partnered with Maine Development Foundation's Maine Downtown Center to receive funding and planning support to continue devel- oping an entrepreneurial ecosystem. e grant has come to Maine Development Foundation from a con- gressionally directed spending request awarded through U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine. "ere have been focus groups and surveys amongst current busi- ness owners and those who wish to set out on their entrepreneurial journey to determine where the money will be best utilized based on their input," says Presby. Influx of chain restaurants Although the downtown seems quiet, the area around the U.S. Route 1 cor- ridor, has seen growth, including an infusion of chain shops. Chipotle, with nearly 3,200 restaurants nationwide, opened in March. In a neighboring space, Jersey Mike's,with 2,450 locations nation- wide, is scheduled to open soon. In the space vacated last summer by Ricetta's Brick Oven Ristorante, Boomers, a restaurant and sports bar, opened in March. "So many people have enjoyed meals in that building over the years. It's really wonderful that Boomers will become a new place to have some food, make some friends and create new memories," says Presby. "We're happy they chose Saco." ME, MA, NH, CT, FL | HALEYWARD.COM | 207.989.4824 FINAL DRAFT CAD, LLC HAS JOINED WITH HALEY WARD, showing our continued commitment to provide Our team-driven approach allows our partners to choose one or all services that meet their needs for successful project outcomes, throughout New England and beyond. Meet and network with the greater Presque Isle business community! PRESQUE ISLE PRESEN T ING SP ONSOR REGIONAL SP ONSORS HORS D'OEUVRES / CASH BAR / NETWORKING WITH AREA BUSINESS EXECUTIVES S PACE IS S PACE IS L IMITED L IMITED, BE S URE TO , BE S URE TO R EG IS TER ! R EG IS TER ! Please register ahead at mainebiz.biz/OTRPresqueIsle23 M AY 1 8 / 4 – 6 P M / T H E N O R T H E A S T L A N D H O T E L , 4 3 6 M A I N S T., P RE S Q U E I S L E C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E »

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