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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 25 M AY 2 9 , 2 0 1 7 and solving problems. We're not going to pull them in one right after the other. But we have a lot of comparative advan- tages, as evidenced by the vital business community that's already here." Bean boots to connectivity technology L.L.Bean is one company finding that large spaces in Lewiston are scarce. e Freeport-based retailer is also expanding. Since 2007, it has used two sites to manufacture certain products, including the signature Bean boots, dog beds and tote bags. e sites were in Brunswick and in leased space on Lewiston's Westminster Street. "But our lease is up and, at the same time, we were looking to expand pro- duction of the Bean boot and therefore expand the facility," says public affairs manager Carolyn Beem. e search, which took close to a year, ended at the 106,000-square-foot former VIP Auto site, at 12 Lexington St. Fit out should be completed this summer. e new facility is double the size of the existing plant and better laid out for production and warehousing. e expansion, Beem says, is backed by a surge in the Bean boot's popularity. e expansion is expected to boost the manufacturing division's workforce by about 100, up from 500 across manufacturing plants in both Lewiston and Brunswick. Last year, the company sold more than 600,000 pairs of Bean boots and expects to sell 700,000 pairs this year. "We were fortunate to find the space we wanted in the area we wanted. We like being in Lewiston, with its long history of manufacturing," Beem says. Another growing company that needed more space was Connectivity Point Design & Installation in Auburn. "Our business needs had grown to the point that we really needed a loading dock and space to receive and accom- modate large material orders," says Connectivity President Doug Watt. e company designs and installs network cabling and provides audio/ visual equipment, surveillance, security solutions, wireless net- works and telephone systems. Today Connectivity Point/e Connectivity Group has more than 115 employees spread between Bangor and Boston. Watt based the company in Auburn because some key hires are from L/A. But the facility's 2,500-square-foot warehouse and small parking couldn't handle the tremendous growth and need for expanded shipping and receiving space. "We were receiving deliveries from tractor-trailers that had to stop on Washington Street and back into our parking lot. It was dangerous for our employees and the delivery driv- ers," he says. Watt worked with brokers Justin Lamontagne and Brad Moll, from NAI e Dunham Group, who found an 8,000-square-foot warehouse with a loading dock, not far away, that sud- denly popped onto the market. "We snapped it up," Watt says. "It's given us breathing room until we figure out what to do next." Laurie Schreiber, Mainebiz staff writer, writes the Real Estate Insider. She can be reached at lschreiber @ mainebiz.biz Timeless Elegance Exceptional Events | Luxury Weddings www.AgoraGrand.com Courtesy Russell Caron Wedding Photography Scott Benson, economic and business development director for the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, says while there have been teants that have asked for major spaces, much of the demand has been driven by small businesses. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY F O C U S

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