BATH
Community and economic development will get a reinvigorated look in Bath.
The Bath City Council voted Wednesday to resurrect the Community Development Committee and the Economic Development Commission.
“These two committees existed before. For whatever reasons, they basically stopped meeting and they’ve been dormant for a while,” said City Manager Peter Owen. “Because of many discussions we’ve had within City Hall, I’ve decided to revitalize these two committees…in an effort to promote community growth and economic policies.”
The Community Development Committee will “promote community growth and development through strategic neighborhood stabilization and partnering on supportive programming to benefit residents and property owners.”
A large portion of the committee’s efforts will be to review state and federal grant applications. The committee will be made up of a mix of councilors, city staff, housing representatives and more.
The Economic Development Commission will focus on balancing the quality of life in Bath with economic growth. It will also feature a mix of city officials, councilors and local business representatives. There will be a designated spot on the commission for a Bath Iron Works official and a Maine Maritime Museum representative.
Owen noted that in speaking to many Bath businesses, he was often asked why the city does not have an Economic Development Commission.
He said the commission would look at issues like the former Bath YMCA property next to the library. It would recommend the best use for the property as the city tries to sell it off, for example.
Terms for members of both the committee and the commission will be for three years, though they will be staggered to start.
“It could take a little while to get it up and going, but this is definitely a huge step,” said Council Chairwoman Mari Eosco.
“Our effort was to revitalize these committees, bring this to council, to get a starting point to get these committees off the ground,” said Owen. “We can modify these things as we go.”
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