If new commercial and residential projects in Gorham are any indication, the national economic slump is having little effect on the pace of development in this southern Maine town.

The town’s Planning Board recently gave the green light for a Mercy Hospital medical center in South Gorham, and construction is set to begin next week. It also granted preliminary approval for a commercial development site on Route 25 at Mosher’s Corner. In addition, a 44-unit housing project is proposed for Main Street.

The town has also created a new administrative position in an effort to lure more businesses.

“We’re trying everything we can do to make us as business friendly as we can be,” said Mike Phinney, Town Council vice chairman.

Developer Nathan Bateman of Bateman Partners, LLC, of Portland, was granted approval June 22 to convert Hansen’s Farm Market on County Road into a Mercy Hospital quick-care medical facility.

Bateman said after the meeting he’s grateful for the manner in which the town processed his application. His proposal was introduced to the town just last month.

“What a pleasure working with the town of Gorham,” Bateman said.

The business-friendly posture could reap dividends soon for Gorham as the Mercy Hospital project on County Road is expected to draw other businesses to the site. Economic Development Corp. Director Tom Ellsworth said other potential projects could include a bank and a child care center.

Engineer Tom Greer of Pinkham and Greer, who presented the hospital project, said at the meeting the medical center would be an asset for the town.

It’s the “first step in what we hope is a multi-faceted project,” Greer said.

Bateman said Allied/Cook is the general contractor. The $2 million renovation of the building begins on Wednesday, July 15. Bateman plans to deliver the building to the tenant, Mercy Hospital, between Oct. 1 and Nov. 1. “They’re extremely excited,” Bateman said about the hospital.

Greer introduced the proposal for the medical building in May. But, a project public hearing was pre-empted on the June 1 Planning Board agenda by a lengthy board re-review of the Shaw Brothers Construction, Inc., quarry on Mosher Road.

In a 6-0 vote, the Planning Board approved the medical center. The board didn’t delay start of the building renovation while awaiting a Maine Department of Environmental Protection site permit. But exterior work, like expanding the parking lot, will require the DEP permit, which could take a month. The 10,000-square-foot building will be renovated into a quick care medical center, which will have emergency room capabilities to handle minor injuries. It will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week.

The medical center replaces Hansen’s Farm Market, 74 County Road, which closed in December.

“We think this is a great use for the building,” Greer said.

The state of the economy hasn’t deterred developer Susan Duchaine, a native of Gorham and long a developer in town. Duchaine, president of Design Dwellings Inc., in Gorham, is proposing a five-unit commercial/office development, Vista Park Condominiums.

“I’m always optimistic,” said Duchaine.

Shawn Frank, senior project manager at Sebago Technics in Westbrook, presented plans for Vista Park on Duchaine’s behalf. The plans could include a 3,200-square-feet retail outlet that could be a bank or restaurant, as well 12,600 feet of office space.

The site is 6.5 acres of vacant land at Mosher’s Corner, the intersection of routes 237 (Mosher Road) and 25 (Main Street). In the public hearing, two neighbors, James Sanderson of Fairview Lane and Allison Rimkunas of Mosher Road, spoke of their concerns about trees as screening.

The development would be served by public water and sewer. The Planning Board would have to approve specific site plans for proposed buildings. The board granted preliminary subdivision plan approval and requested additional information including a depiction of the sign.

Duchaine is also asking permission to build 44 houses on 15 acres at Hawkes Farm on Main Street. The project was introduced in a Planning Board workshop on June 1 and Duchaine planned to be on the board’s agenda on July 6, which was rescheduled at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 20, seeking town approval of the housing project.

In a move to help land more businesses, the town is hiring a zoning administrator, who will speed the approval process for businesses wanting to locate in Gorham. Town Manager David Cole said Tuesday the zoning administrator position is anticipated to be the manager for a consolidated department that includes planning and code enforcement. The town had received about 40 applications for the position, which will pay between $70,000 and $80,000, Cole said.

Matt Robinson, chairman of the Town Council, said the individual would be a “go-to person” for businesses with questions or seeking information about permitting. Town officials anticipate the zoning administrator would likely be on the job in August or September.

Robinson credited Gorham’s town administrators for attracting business growth.

“It’s because of our frontline people,” Robinson said, crediting Cole, Ellsworth, Planner Deborah Fossum, and Code Enforcement Officer Clint Cushman, “and a council that is pro-business.”

Robinson said 26 percent of Gorham’s tax base is industrial. “I’ve been a big supporter of business,” Robinson said. “I’m interested in keeping taxes down.”

“Money is getting tighter to get,” Robinson said.

Ellsworth described the hospital and Duchaine’s proposal as “excellent projects,” and he’s hoping for others.

He said other commercial lots are available in Gorham. Ellsworth said two lots have been sold in the Olde Canal Business Park off Mosher Road and one building has been built and is occupied. He said seven additional lots are available there.

In the Gorham Industrial Park, a building with 5,000 square feet is available. Ellsworth is also talking with potential customers for two lots zoned roadside commercial on Main Street at the industrial park.

Ellsworth sees land availability in Gorham and ease of permitting as aiding future growth. He said there’s a greater understanding of the need to accommodate business coming to Gorham.

“There’s more awareness of taking advantage of opportunities in a down cycle,” he said.

Cutline (Mercy-Greer 2) – Tom Greer of Pinkham and Greer in Falmouth Monday presents plans to convert Hansen’s Farm Market in Gorham into a Mercy Hospital medical center. Gorham planners this week approved the project, which was introduced last month.