Scarborough has plenty of business news to report these days.

As Scarborough seeks to attract businesses to the Haigis Parkway, businesses in other parts of town are leaving, only to be replaced by new ones.

This week, Konica shut down its photo processing plant on Route 1, putting 81 people out of a job. The shutdown came as the result of a consumer shift away from traditional film to digital. At the same time, a Portland development company announced its purchase of the Centervale Farm antique store on Route 1.

Scarborough hasn’t been struggling to attract new businesses or development, with the possible exception of the waiting game the town has been playing with the Haigis Parkway. Scarborough’s biggest challenge when it comes to businesses, it seems, is connecting them.

Scarborough has plenty of businesses, from the industrial corridor along Pleasant Hill Road, to the gas stations and fast food restaurants lining Route 1, to the retail stores along Payne Road. The town, however, has never had a commercial center or anything approaching a traditional downtown.

While Scarborough might never have a large downtown because of the way the town has developed historically, the isolation of each of the businesses and the people that work in them could ultimately be detrimental to those who want to do business in town.

Scarborough is a bedroom community. Many residents commute to Portland or other surrounding communities to work and then return home. Many people who work here do the reverse.

Because of the way the town is laid out, it’s difficult for those working here to take advantage of neighboring businesses. Oak Hill, where the Current’s offices are located, is a perfect example. There are very few places nearby that are convenient for lunch or shopping, without hopping in a car.

The thought of risking one’s life crossing Route 114 and the four lanes of traffic on Route 1 isn’t too appealing. Navigating the maze of store fronts and parking lots isn’t too fun, either. Getting in a car is much more appealing and safer. And once people have gotten in their cars, what’s to stop them from driving home or to another community to do their shopping.

This problem certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by town planners and economic developers. The town’s comprehensive plan cites as a goal making places like Oak Hill and Dunstan friendlier to pedestrians. The town has worked with developers to create walking paths and parks.

However, it seems connecting the businesses and people in this town should be more than a long-term goal. It’s vital to the success of many of the businesses here, and it could ultimately bring this community closer together.

The town needs to look for ways to create central parking areas and places to walk in its business districts. Route 1 is certainly a challenge, but it’s one that other communities, like Freeport, have managed to overcome.

Scarborough has plenty of businesses and plenty of businesses coming, the town just has to figure out how to bring them together.

Brendan Moran, editor