KENNEBUNK – Industrial firms, retailers and people in banking, hospitality and different industries want employees, however lack of transportation to the Kennebunks generally is a barrier.
The Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Chamber of Commerce is seeking to assist bridge the hole with an utility for $595,000 in grant funding from the Maine Division of Transportation that would offer a option to get employees to jobs.
“We all know the necessity is there,” mentioned Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel Chamber of Commerce Director Laura Dolce. “Early this yr, the Chamber surveyed companies on the wrestle to fill open positions and the place they felt an untapped supply of recent staff could be.”
In a current presentation to the Kennebunk Choose Board searching for monetary assist, Dolce mentioned Sanford topped the checklist of the place that untapped supply of staff may be, adopted by Biddeford.
“However the primary impediment recognized? Transportation,” she mentioned. “We hope this new route will fill that want, whereas on the similar time permitting staff at firms with areas in each or all three cities to commute simply between websites in Kennebunk, Sanford, and Biddeford. It’s one thing we desperately want.”
If the Maine Division of Transportation grant is permitted, Biddeford Saco Outdated Orchard Seashore Transit, generally known as BSOOB, would function the service. The proposal entails routes supposed to function seven days per week, yr round and embody Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Biddeford.
Kennebunk’s RideME would offer worker transportation for that every one essential final connection from a bus cease to the employer’s location.
Biddeford Saco Outdated Orchard Seashore Transit Director Chad Heid mentioned if funded, this system will carry new connections the place there have been few earlier than and be “one thing to have fun.” He mentioned the transportation program will draw individuals from bigger areas of Biddeford and Sanford and join them to alternatives within the Kennebunks.
Whereas the routes would come with the 4 communities of Biddeford, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Sanford, one hub, Heid mentioned, for instance, could be close to Maine Turnpike Exit 25, noting the proximity to Corning Life Sciences, Kennebunk Financial savings headquarters, Hampton Inn, and companies within the turnpike relaxation cease plaza.
Dolce advised the Kennebunk Choose Board at a current assembly that 16 companions are concerned, together with Southern Maine Well being Care, Kennebunk Financial savings, Corning, Northeast Coating Applied sciences, and others.
The city’s Financial Improvement Committee has been concerned, she mentioned. There was monetary assist from town of Sanford, the city of Kennebunkport, eating places, inns, banks, resorts, and industrial firms. As of that night’s choose board vote, $24,000 can be contributed from the city of Kennebunk’s tax increment financing accounts, thus assembly the required $119,000 native match if the $595,000 grant is permitted.
The Maine DOT Pilot Program was funded with $5 million by way of Gov. Janet Mills’ Maine Jobs and Restoration Plan.
The pilot grant could be funded for 2 years. If permitted, Dolce advised the Kennebunk Choose Board different funding could be sought to function this system past the grant restrict, maybe from federal sources.
“I believe this can be a nice program that’s desperately wanted,” mentioned Choose Board member Lisa Pratt. “I like to see (that) companies are backing it.”
Dolce mentioned she hopes to listen to early within the new yr whether or not the grant can be permitted.
Maine DOT lately awarded a $387,000 grant – the primary within the new program – to Sunday River to assist the acquisition of 4 all-wheel-drive vans to supply free transportation for employees from close by cities to the ski resort, to assist current staff and to cut back boundaries to work for brand spanking new staff, in accordance with a DOT information launch. Additional, in partnership with the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, the vans may also provide transportation to employees at different space companies along with Sunday River. A fifth electrical van will assist transport Sunday River employees residing in employer-provided housing.
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