Thumbnails:
thumb”¢nail (thum’nail’)
…2. anything quite small or brief,
as a small drawing or short essay
Thumbs up to the New School’s acquisition of a boat for intensive summer programs offered to its students. Teacher Steve Schaefer was able to locate and purchase a boat in Owl’s Head for about $2,000, as it was a fixer-upper. Now, an additional $1,000 is needed to make it safe, encompassing repairs and necessary gear, such as life jackets. After several fundraisers, including bottle drives and auctions, students estimated they were about halfway to their fundraising goal as of two weeks ago. The intensive program will see students and their instructor sail to New York via the Long Island Sound and onto the Hudson River. Schaefer said the project and trip will teach the students about sailing, science and navigation, among many other topics and skills. Other students from the school will stay on dry land, heading to a ranch in Kansas to learn about organic farming. These experiences will be great for students, teaching them practical skills while giving them a glimpse into careers they may want to pursue after high school.
Thumbs up to the Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission for securing $500,000 to create a revolving loan fund to help support small businesses in the area. Specifically, the money will be available to small businesses with between five and 15 employees that are starting up or looking to expand. Loans will range from $50,000 to $200,000, according to SMPDC Executive Director Paul Schumacher. The fund can be used alone or in conjunction with a brownfield revolving fund, used for environmental cleanup, which SMPDC administers along with the Economic Development Corporation, based in Saco, said Schumacher. We hope local businesses and entrepreneurs will take advantage of this opportunity, and apply for funds to grow their businesses and the southern Maine economy.
Thumbs up to the members of the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen who supported using TIF funds ”“ temporarily ”“ to get the open-air pavilion on Main Street under construction in the very near future. The project has garnered a lot of support ”“ and it’s not just talk: Residents and businesses in town have opened their wallets, to the tune of $530,000. The town only needs about $105,000 more to pay for the project, and since it’s done so well in attracting funds so far, Town Manager Barry Tibbetts recommended that the board borrow the money from the Route 1 Tax Increment Financing District, to be paid back over a five-year period. A few selectmen were concerned about borrowing the funds and the five-year payback period, but, thankfully, the measure was approved, and construction is slated to begin either this week or next. The pavilion will be a focal point of the recently renovated downtown, offering a place for performances and other gatherings ”“ and, with it, a new revenue stream for groups that want to rent the space for their events and shows. In addition, the skating area operated on the site during cold-weather months has its own $1.5 million endowment fund to create a proper rink and pay for continued maintenance and upkeep. This will truly be an asset to the downtown, and draw visitors and residents alike to the rink and many events and performances to which the pavilion is sure to play host.
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