City develops action plans to spur growth

As part of an effort to spur economic development and attract young families and telecommuters to the city, Eastport hosted a two-day visit by representatives from Smart Growth America, resulting in six action plans that residents will work on to market the city. Eastport is one of two communities in Maine to have been selected as a partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Cool & Connected" initiative, which provides planning assistance to help community members develop strategies for using broadband to create economically vibrant main streets, to attract investment and people and to diversify the local economy.
During the session with city participants on October 6, John Robert Smith, a senior policy advisor with Smart Growth America, noted that the U.S. has been moving from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based one, stating, "We're not chasing smokestacks, we're chasing talent." He also noted demographic changes in the country, with millennials seeking to live in downtowns and pursue active lifestyles. Both millennials and baby boomers want to live in towns with broadband access and in downtowns that have an authentic sense of self "with pop."
He outlined that successful economic development needs a diversified approach, a strong and youthful workforce, land, institutions, technical help and financing. Smith also stressed the importance of a town having a sense of place and that companies are moving to downtowns where one can walk and bike from place to place.
Ben Stone, director of arts and culture for Smart Growth America, pointed out that the reasons people choose to move to a place may surprise some, as a survey of why people select a town shows the order of community attributes is: social offerings and a sense of community; openness to new people; aesthetics of the downtown and the natural environment; education; basic services; leadership; economy; and safety. "Jobs follow people," he stated, noting that the old model for attracting employers to towns has changed. Now, businesses come because people are attracted to the community and the quality of life. "Location helps attract employers," he said. Surveys show that only 17% of people moved to a town because of a job, while 39% did so because of the community and 44% because of the job and community.
Presenters at the session outlined several case studies of successful revitalization efforts, including Paducah, Kentucky, which through its artist relocation program has attracted 40 artists who have invested $15 million into the local economy and the town's downtown. Among the incentives offered were zoning changes to allow people to live and work in the same place and 100% financing for architectural services. Savannah, Georgia, hosts an annual writers' convention that draws people back every year, in part because the Guild Hall there attracts a gaming crowd of young people who feel welcomed by a sense of community.
As for Eastport, comments that the Smart Growth group heard from those community members who were interviewed included that cell service is the biggest problem for tourists; that a number of downtown businesses are owned by seniors who shy away from putting their businesses online; that keeping and attracting young people is incredibly difficult and that the town has an aging population; but that real estate is cheap and the artist community is strong.
Brian Rathbone, a partner in Broadband Catalysts in North Carolina, noted that to participate in the digital economy people need access to broadband service, which is currently defined as 25 mbps for download speed and 3 mbps for upload speed. While some of the cable coverage in Eastport is "pretty good," there are some areas of weakness. Cell service by all providers needs improvement, and the area suffers like many border towns from Canadian cell service roaming charges.
Rathbone will be working with the cell phone and Internet providers to improve the service and will also work on the issue with the state's congressional delegation. To help put numbers behind the complaints, he will be setting up maps at <map.broadbandcatalysts.com> where people can indicate cell signal and broadband problems in Eastport.
In addition to Rathbone's work, USDA Rural Development has funding assistance for fiber networks and for distance learning, along with public infrastructure and community facilities.

Action plans
During the sessions, Eastport residents and the Smart Growth team worked on developing a vision for the city that states, "As the easternmost city in the contiguous United States and proximity to Canada, Eastport attracts visitors to appreciate its working waterfront, arts, culture and geography. Eastport has a viable, walkable downtown, a diverse community both young and old, and festivals that attract residents from around the world. With reliable broadband service, there is a large community of people who can appreciate the vast community amenities, raise families and support the local economy as telecommuters."
Those attending the Friday morning session voted to focus on several areas to market the Eastport lifestyle to attract new residents, drive more young people to move back to Eastport after college and to attract more telecommuters. Those plans include: developing adult education classes to add education to Eastport's cultural scene; advertising the inexpensive real estate and affordable housing in the city; establishing a social gaming center with an educational aspect downtown; completing the bike trail from the downtown along the former railroad bed; setting up a space in a city building for telecommuters to access services and for digital literacy training; and working with realtors to promote broadband access and having a website to highlight activities for telecommuters.
In the coming months, representatives from Smart Growth America will be following up with those involved to see what progress has been made on these goals and will be providing support as needed.