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V O L . X X I I N O. X V I J U LY 1 1 , 2 0 1 6 20 S O U T H E R N M A I N E R E G I O N F O C U S Baker doesn't see direct competition with Gorham because Westbrook is closer to Portland and shares important infrastructure like the METRO bus and has public sewer in commercial areas, "a clear advantage over Gorham. Portland has the oceanfront as a com- petitive advantage." Big deals boost Gorham e Presumpscot River also is a development pos- sibility for Gorham, as it runs from Sebago Lake to Casco Bay through Standish, Windham, Gorham, Westbrook, Portland and Falmouth, and has the potential to become a long greenway. e Shaw Brothers Family Foundation, which owns a large piece of land abutting the river, is plan- ning a potential greenway, Ellsworth says. "I'm sure this will find its way into the comprehensive plan," he adds. Gorham's 2016 comprehensive plan draft will soon go out to residents for review. Part of the Shaw Brothers land also will be leased to Sebago Brewing, which is moving from a smaller, nearby headquarters in Gorham Industrial Park. It is seeking approval to construct its new corporate headquarters, manufacturing and warehouse space, a brewery, restau- rant and event center on lower Main Street (Route 25) in Gorham. e plan is for Sebago Brewing to almost double its space in the new, 21,000-square-foot facility, and closer to Sebago's distributor, Nappi Distributors. "If [a town] gets a deal like Sebago Brewing once a year or once every two years, it is doing well," says Ellsworth. Gorham has had three big deals in the past year, with the two others being Woods Excavating and irsty Turf Irrigation Inc. Sebago Brewing may also get a TIF with town approval that would give it 50% back on its taxes over 12 years, Ellsworth says. at will help offset the brewery's investment to bring in water, sewer and other infrastructure. e town also offers incentives such as a revolv- ing loan program that uses its share of the TIF funds to lend money to businesses, such as a $5,000 loan interest free for up to five years for local busi- nesses in the downtown to replace their signs. Gorham also has its share of farmland, and new crops have moved in, notably, the 12 medical mari- juana growers. "It will be a big new industry here if it ever gets legalized in this state," Ellsworth says. "Right now, they can't keep it in stock." Lori Valigra, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached a t l v a l i g r a @ m a i n e b i z . b i z a n d @ LVa l i g r a F O C U S PASSION. COMMITMENT. RESULTS. Scarborough | 207.730.5566 » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Tom Ellsworth, economic development director for Gorham, says the town is affordable and easily accessible to Portland. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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