The Scarborough Economic Development Corporation and the Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce opened a joint office last week on the second floor of the Willowdale Place building at 360 U.S. Route 1, providing the town’s business community a single location to access both organizations.
Located on the second floor of the building, in Suite 203, the office also promises both groups an opportunity to more easily collaborate on joint projects, said SEDCO’s new executive director, Karen Martin, in a July 22 press release.
“We want the new building to be a hub for our business community,” she said. “Both SEDCO and the chamber have a long history of serving Scarborough businesses, so it seems logical that co-locating the two organizations will promote efficiencies and collaborations that benefit our community.
“We loved being at Town Hall last year, but the new office gives us the additional space to meet with clients and to provide the privacy that some projects need in the early stages of development,” said Martin.
Sharing the rent is another benefit, making the office affordable for both organizations said Martin, adding that as SEDCO already owned enough furniture to outfit the entire space, no extra investment was needed. Along with the main office where the two organizations share an open workspace, the new space has additional conference rooms for client and board meetings.
From the perspective of the chamber, which operates under the auspices of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, the new office means a physical location where its board of directors and members can gather locally, something it has lacked up until now.
“It’s so important for our membership to have a central place to meet and organize within the town,” said chamber President Rick Snow. “It’s been too long since the chamber had a physical location and presence in the community we represent and serve.
“Our chamber represents one of the fastest growing communities in the state, and our board is committed to providing the best possible programs for our members,” said Snow. “Part of that commitment is having an office in the community.”
Snow and Martin say an open-house celebration is in the works.
“We haven’t set the date yet, but look for an announcement soon,” said Martin. “We’re still putting the finishing touches on the office.”
Duke Harrington
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