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E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T 30 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 T he Town of Searsport, a coastal community rich in mari- time history and scenic beauty, is charting a vibrant future for prosperity and welcomes new business with open arms. Searsport is making investments in economic development— providing the easily accessible tools to ensure new and existing businesses receive the assistance they need to thrive and grow. Steeped in history Located on the western shore of Penobscot Bay between Belfast and Bangor, our 29-square-mile community's historical contribu- tion to the world's shipping industries is well-documented. In 1860, Searsport attained a population of 2,533 residents, boasting 11 shipyards that produced more than 200 ships of different rigs. Related industries such as sail-making, lumbering, blacksmithing, carpentry and barrel containers for ship cargoes were developed. Searsport became the home of more than one-tenth of the deep- water captains in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Beyond its contri- bution to early marine industries, Searsport has also produced more shipmasters than any other town of its size in the world, nearly 300 of which became shipmasters at the age of 21 years. Second largest seaport Searsport is Maine's second-largest deep-water port. e port currently offers dry bulk pad storage, heated tank storage, railroad trans-loader, track-mobile, ship loader, mobile harbor crane and crawler cranes. In addition, rail service is available through Central Maine and Quebec Railroad, connecting to Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, Pan Am Southern and NBS Railways. e Port of Searsport continues to be one of the most important ports on the East Coast. e community is exploring the benefits of a Foreign Trade Zone status in efforts to support the continued development to this regional, state and national asset. Charting a future of revitalization Searsport has entered new waters. is course is now taking the town to renewed prosperity, economic development, business opportunity, a revitalized downtown, business expansion, new investment and a concentration on business retention and busi- ness attraction. With available land and buildings along the very busy Route 1 corridor, Searsport is prime for business investment and development. Searsport will strive to be a destination with shops, restaurants and an abundance of recreational offerings. e historic downtown is scheduled for substantial revitaliza- tion. is revitalization will create a new look, a new feel and a welcoming character. Charting a future with maritime education Searsport is leveraging its heritage and proven skill set with the development of a unique concept—the Maine Ocean School. e Maine Ocean School is a proposed public magnet high school for marine science, technology, transportation and engineering. e school's mission is to provide a theme-based high school educa- tion focused on Maine's maritime connection, with an emphasis on leadership, work ethic and the transferable skills associated with careers involving the ocean. Information on the school can be found at its website: maineoceanschool.org. Incentives for development Downtown Searsport is comprised of historic brick buildings, each a potential storefront location for prime retail development opportunity and located on the heavily traveled Route 1 corridor. e Head of the Bay Business Association, a group that promotes the region's businesses, stands ready to welcome aboard new members. Searsport has utilized development incentives, such as Tax Increment Financing, and looks for an opportunity to do so again. Searsport is fully staffed with an experienced Planning Board and Code Enforcement Officer, who will facilitate projects and guide developers through the review and approval process in an expeditious manner. Please direct inquiries or correspondence to Dean L. Bennett, Economic Development Director at 207-548-6372 or econdev50@ gmail.com. We look forward to facilitating your investment in the Town of Searsport. We welcome you aboard! l Top: Searsport's welcome sign says it all, as the town charts its way to a prosperous future. Bottom: Searsport's historic downtown—undergoing revitalized, business expansion and new investment—welcomes business with open arms. P H O T O C O U R T E S Y S E A R S P O R T E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T P H O T O B Y W AY N E H A M I LT O N Searsport Economic Development 1 Union St., Searsport, ME 04974 Economic Development Dean L. Bennett, Economic Development Director www.searsport.maine.gov Searsport Economic Development Proud of our maritime heritage

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