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Economic development staff outline business support, internships, foreign-trade work and grant wins
Summary
Economic development staff reported on business intake improvements, a planned university internship, a $500,000 grant for a central kitchen, foreign-trade-zone outreach and a $150,000 workforce grant.
The Business & Economic Development Committee received a wide-ranging update from Economic Development Officer Paquita Hernandez Smith on business outreach, workforce initiatives, international trade work and capital-project efforts.
Business support and measurement: Hernandez Smith said the department has positioned itself as an accessible first stop for prospective and existing businesses, and has strengthened referral pathways to partners including the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE and workforce agencies. She said staff are developing client-tracking metrics to measure referrals, industry sectors served and outcomes.
Internships and education partnerships: the office plans an inaugural economic-development internship program with the University of Maine and Husson University. Hernandez Smith said the internship will be a six-week placement at the Bangor Innovation Center to give students practical experience and to help the office build capacity.
Funding and priority projects: Hernandez Smith said the city secured about $500,000 through the Northern Border Regional Commission (and partners) for a proposed central kitchen project and is seeking additional capital to complete the funding stack. She said staff will coordinate with the feasibility consultant and the city's grant writer to pursue follow-on funds.
Trade and workforce initiatives: staff reported renewed work activating the city's foreign-trade zone and outreach to importers/exporters to mitigate potential supply-chain/tariff impacts. Hernandez Smith also said the city received $150,000 through a workforce-development grant to support two proposals: a transportation program (drivers'education and related supports) and a program to support training for childcare educators.
Property and mall redevelopment: Hernandez Smith said city staff now maintain an inventory of city-owned and BAN airport properties and are pursuing targeted outreach to potential tenants and investors. She said engagement with the mall owner has shifted to more productive, confidential conversations about potential redevelopment options.
Committee response and follow up: councilors praised the work and asked for more frequent, detailed updates. Several members asked staff to return no less often than every other BED meeting with status on major items and specific metrics.
Ending: Hernandez Smith said the office will continue to build partnerships, track outcomes, and return regular updates to the committee.
