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E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 44 E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N S ince 1992, acting as the economic development arm of the Town of Windham, gateway to the Sebago Lakes Region, the Windham Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has been working to implement strategies that will increase business activity, increase employment opportuni- ties, 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 welcom- ing atmosphere, while protecting our town's rural characteristics and natural resources. Downtown Windham Modernization Program In 2018 the Town of Windham and the Windham Planning Department received the Maine Smart Growth Award from GrowSmart Maine for our 21 st Century Downtown Zoning Plan. Now into the fifth year of progress on the Plan, Downtown Windham is seeing new commercial and multifamily residential construction that was envisioned by the plan. Another aspect of the Plan is to modernize the infrastructure in the Downtown in the form of upwards of $80 million for a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and collection system, new local access roads, improved safety and traffic movement on Route 302, Route 115 and Route 35, improved greenspace including new ballfields at the Manchester School, pocket parks, and side- walks and bike paths. We have had excellent support from our partners at the federal, state and county levels and overwhelm- ing support of the residents of Windham through the referen- dum process. We look forward to Downtown Windham's con- tinued growth, in a smart and environmentally aware manner. Significant Projects: 21st Century Downtown project 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 Keddy Mill Superfund Site • Clean-up and redevelopment of the seven-acre site Former South Windham Fire Station Redevelopment into a restaurant and brew house Former Andrews School Redevelopment into senior housing and a neighborhood center 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. e 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 pro- cess 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 • Provides a market for local and Sebago Lakes Region farms, food producers and artisans from May to October Micro-loan Program Partnership with the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Please feel free to meet with us early in your planning process. We can help you to better understand the municipal process. We can also make connections to experts who can help you with your planning and startup. We are here to help. Please give us a call or drop us an email. l A cooperative effort between the Town of Windham, RSU 14, and Portland Water District The Manchester Fields Project Right: U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King join with MDOT Commissioner, MDEP Deputy Commissioner, Maine Bond Bank, Cumberland County Commission, and other state and local officials in the official groundbreaking of the new North Windham Wastewater Treatment System and the announcement of the award of the USDOT Raise Grant for the North Windham Moves project. P H O T O B Y G R E T A P A U L D I N G , T O W N O F W I N D H A M 21st Century Downtown Windham Economic Development Corporation 8 School Road, Windham, ME 04062 Thomas Bartell, Executive Director (207) 892-1936 / thbartell@windhammaine.us windhammaine.us Windham Economic Development Corporation

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