GNGDC plans summit - By Tracy Scheckel

The Gray-New Gloucester Development Corporation (GNGDC) has taken the reins of the annual Gray business forum and is working with the support of both Gray and New Gloucester to host the event on November 12^th at the Spring Meadows Banquet Facility. 
 

Historically, the event has provided a platform for information exchange between local business and municipal leadership. This year’s summit will do that and provide some valuable information and insight about doing – and growing - business in Maine and particularly in the Gray-New Gloucester region.

Charles Lawton Ph.D. and John Butera will be the keynote speakers at the summit. Lawton is the Chief Economist with Planning Decisions, Inc. and a regular columnist with the Maine Sunday Telegram. Butera is Governor LePage’s Chief Economic Advisor; jointly they will provide information about methods and resources to help grow economic development in the region. Following the presentations, a panel discussion and information exchange is planned. 

“We are so excited to host this event and to welcome such renowned experts as speakers,” commented GNGDC President, Leo Credit, “I hope all Gray and New Gloucester business owners will mark their calendars and join us.” According to Credit, invitations will be emailed to businesses in Gray and New Gloucester based on the information available on both municipal websites’ business directories. Credit also noted that businesses can send an email with contact information to infor@gngdc.com to insure that they receive an e-vite when they are sent out. The summit is free to Gray and New Gloucester businesses and will feature light snacks and a cash bar. 

The GNGDC was founded four years ago to work with the municipalities and local business to enhance the economic climate in the region. To date the organization had worked on behalf of the Town of Gray to negotiate a TIF extension for the NorthBrook Business and Industry Campus; it has developed and is about to implement a marketing plan for the remaining sites in the NorthBrook Campus; the GNGDC has worked with the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad (MNGRR) to procure the ownership rights to the former interurban railway in order to facilitate the MNGRR relocation to Gray and is also planning a fund-raising campaign for the railroad. 

This summer marked the inaugural issue of Gray–New Gloucester Magazine, the most recent initiative of the GNGDC. The 20-page full color publication highlights businesses, points of interest, annual events, as well as the benefits of doing business in the two communities and is being distributed locally and at Maine Tourism Association kiosks in Yarmouth, Kittery and Bridgton. The Corporation plans to publish the magazine annually and will begin working on the next edition in early fall. Proceeds from the magazine and other GNGDC projects will help to fund future low interest small business loans and business incubator programs in Gray and New Gloucester.

For more information about the Gray-New Gloucester Development Corporation, visit gngdc.com.