A Brief History
Thoughts on Franklin County Area Economic Development History
By Richard P. Malllett
From the arrival of the first permanent settlers, the local area has been known as an unusually favorable location for successful farming. Even so, throughout the 19th and 20th centuries there have been many abandoned farms. The self-sufficient ones gave way to the more specialized. In the 19th century, there was sheep raising; in the 20th the dairy farms increased – though they are now diminishing. Lumbering, canning, woolen mills and shoe manufacturing also became significant economics players and in neighboring towns pulp and paper were strong.
The county has always been known as an education center. These institutions have included Farmington Academy, the Abbott School, the Normal School and its successor, the University of Maine at Farmington. A recent study by Dr. Roy Van Til produces statistics indicating that UMF is having a substantial economic impact.
The pioneers realized the importance of mobility and soon called town meetings to plan for roads and bridges. With the coming of the railroad, we encouraged the Androscoggin – later Maine Central – to extend its line from Lewiston in 1859. Then there was the Sandy River Railroad, a narrow gauge, whose presence in the Front Street neighborhood is today memorialized by a seven screen cinema. This miniature railroad served the northerly part of Franklin County from 1879 to 1935. Both railroads would serve us well economically until automotive and trucking transportation gradually pushed them aside, the Maine Central track being eventually taken up in 1982, a few years after the last train left Franklin County for good.
An economic sector that became an increasingly robust factor in the area’s economy would be tourism, bringing visitors to the area’s lakes in the summer and skiers to its mountains in the winter, with many eventually staying on full time in retirement.
Recent sharp declines in the shoe, dairy and wood products sectors, though in part compensated by the advent of call centers illustrate an economic volatility that will be among the premiere local challenges of the early 21st century.
News Items
8/11/08
Senator Olympia Snowe did more than just shop during her a two-and-a-half hour stroll through downtown Farmington. She had some lengthy conversations with merchants and other passersby about current issues, especially energy costs. Senator Snowe was guided through the town by local Senator Walter Gooley and Executive Director of Greater Franklin Development Alison Hagerstrom.
7/23/08
Lafrance Hospitality hosted over 100 people at the Grand Opening of their new Comfort Inn & Suites in Wilton. This $6 million dollar facility is Lafrance Hosipitality's first Maine hotel and were happy to give back to Franklin County by donating the ribbon that was cut at the ceremony. Read More
7/01/08
L.L. Bean and Barclay's announced Monday they are launching a new L.L. Bean Visa card that will provide improved customer service and a newly revamped rewards program. L.L. Bean was looking to partner with a bank that had a Maine call center and by partnering with Barclay's, L.L. Bean credit card holders can now expect to have their calls answered by someone in Wilton.
06/06/08
The Comfort Inn is now open in Wilton! The 85 room Comfort Inn and Suites welcomed its first official guest, Executive Director of Greater Franklin Development Corporation, on June 6th. Reservations can currently be made online at
www.comfortinn.com
06/03/08
Franklin County Commissioners approved the Kibby Wind Power TIF which will be used to secure TransCanada's wind power project being built near the Canadian border. Over the next 20 years the TIF will produce $4 million to be used for economic development in the Unorganized Townships of Franklin County.
05/23/08
The Downtown Business and Professional Association created a new guide to promote Farmington's Historic Downtown. It includes detailed maps of the downtown and a guide of services, shops, lodgings, activities and more.
04/04/08
Barclays, one of the oldest banking institutions in the world, announces that they will be opening a call center in Wilton and expect to employ 50 people when it opens and another 150 over the next 10 years.
02/23/08
Poland Spring's open house attracted hundreds of people to its brand new 200,000 square foot bottling plant in Kingfield. The bottling plant expects to 60 hire employees by the end of the summer.
01/2008
The Town of Livermore Falls was awarded a $150,000 Community Enterprise grant for façade improvements by the Department of Economic and Community Development.