PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Amtrak, freight trains and scenic railroad tours. Individually, these three references may not draw a lot of conversation from most residents of the greater Bath-Brunswick-Topsham catchment area. However, these collective words represent a substantial investment and sizable economic impact to the region’s business community, with an even larger opportunity looming in the future.

Last year, I was introduced to Maine Eastern Railroad’s scenic rail. Extending from Brunswick to Rockland with stops in Bath and Wiscasset, the 57-mile excursion travels through some of the most scenic stretches of coastline in our area. With several roundtrips daily, its annual ridership of 15,000-plus passengers infuse Mid-coast businesses with not only dollars and cents, but promises of repeat business for years to come.

I can say without a doubt there are many folks dining and shopping in any one of the towns Maine Eastern visits because of the added allure of the other two. Together, with rail as the common thread, our area becomes more than a place to drive through and eat lunch … it becomes an all-day and overnight destination.

Whereas I expected the scenic rail to support and promote regional tourism, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about how much of a positive impact freight service has on local economies. According to numbers I have seen, each car of freight represents about 100 tons of cargo per rail car. That is equal to approximately four over the road trucks being filled to capacity. Using this equation, it is easy to see how a company can save money transporting goods via rail.

You can also see how much wear on infrastructure can be saved by not having as many large trucks traveling over our small roads and bridges. Please do not misunderstand me: I am not saying everything should be transported by rail. I am saying rail makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons in certain situations. When it does, we should look to maximize the opportunities.

As I reflect on the positive things I have learned about passenger and freight rail over the past 18 months, I am optimistic about the anticipated arrival of Amtrak’s Downeaster service from Brunswick to Boston in 2012. For all the reasons I have stated above — and many more — I firmly believe that thousands of additional people will come to the Mid-coast region because of Amtrak service.

I also believe there is a very productive (albeit yet-to-be-determined) freight opportunity for our local and regional businesses. As my friend Gordon Page states, “The key to a successful railroad is having a good, solid business base beneath it.”

One issue that my board of directors and I feel is important to stress is the frequency of round-trip services the Downeaster makes from Brunswick to Boston. Simply put, we believe the more the better.

This belief is rooted in the idea that the more people that visit Mid-coast Maine, the more people who will want to come back again and again. Repeat customers will come in the form of day visitors, folks who relocate seasonally and/or permanently, or business members who want to become a part of and add to the region’s economic prosperity. In all cases, the entire Mid-coast region benefits.

During 2012, the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber looks forward to partnering with our legislative delegation (state and federal), local municipalities, Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), governor’s office, and organizations such as Brunswick Downtown Association and Main Street Bath, to increase awareness of the opportunities expanded rail services can bring to our area.

Most of all, we look forward to helping increase prosperity in our region, and we believe the Downeaster will help do just that.

UPCOMING EVENTS: “How to Overcome Your Fear of Sales and Get More Clients NOW!” is the presentation at Mid Day Chambers, Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event includes networking, marketing your business and the presentation at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham.

Thursday is Chamber Holiday After Hours at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. The event is hosted and catered by Byrnes Irish Pub (Bath and Brunswick) and Admiral Steakhouse. Celebrate the holiday season in an environment that provides a rich, productive networking experience. To ensure maximum enjoyment and as a courtesy to the hosts, please register by going to the chamber website, www.midcoastmaine.com. SMMC’s Chamber After Hours are always free and business guests are welcome.

The Salvation Army (25 Congress Ave., Bath) invites all chamber members to its open house on Dec. 19, 5 to 7 p.m. Share holiday cheer, network with other business people and tour their facility. Learn about the Christmas Castle program that is available to families in need of assistance during Christmastime. See videos about the work of the Salvation Army in our region.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Dinner is Jan. 12, 4:30 to 8 p.m., at Thorne Dining Hall on the campus of Bowdoin College. The evening includes a member-to-member exhibition, networking and social hour, dinner and a short business meeting. Then sit back and enjoy Maine humorist Gary Crocker. Sponsors for the evening include Parkview Adventist Medical Center, Comcast Business Class and Mid Coast Hospital. Reserve by calling 725-8797 or online on the chamber’s homepage www.midcoastmaine.com.

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