Economic & Community Development

At first glance, this quiet coast town looks very similar to the many other quaint coastal villages that dot the Maine Coast. With its Busy and scenic working waterfront and historic downtown shopping district, Wiscasset could very easily be mistaken for a tourism destination community that offers little to the realm of serious commercial economic development. While tourists do indeed come here to take in the sights and sounds of coastal Maine living, walk tree-lined streets to historic homes, and shop and dine in “The Prettiest Village in Maine,” Wiscasset is more importantly home to a thriving and dynamic business community.

Over the past thirty-plus years, Wiscasset has been investing in its infrastructure and quality of life so as to become more attractive as an economic development destination. Recently, Wiscasset has partnered with private developers to develop land and ways that the Town can become more attractive for commercial investments. As the result of the community’s visionary leadership and these innovative partnerships, Wiscasset today boasts many commercial amenities unheard of in communities many times its size.

Municipal water, Sewer, and three-phase power are among these amenities, and service much of the Town of Wiscasset. This is especially true along the town’s prime commercial corridors, Routes 1 and 27. Wiscasset’s state-of-the art wastewater treatment facility is the envy of communities many times its size, and is currently operating at less than 40% of its capacity.

Recently, Wiscasset partnered with the development company Point East to invest over $1MM in water, sewer, and three-phase power extensions along Route 144 and the Ferry Road to facilitate development of i.park, Maine’s newest and most exciting business park. Located on over 400 acres overlooking the scenic Back River, i.park will established itself as one of Maine’s premier business parks. With such high-quality tenants as Rynel, a world class manufacturer of commercial foams for the medical and cosmetic industries, i.park is literally breaking new ground for economic development in Maine.  

Immediately adjacent to i.park is the rail line currently owned and operated by the Merrimack and Erie Railway Company. The line, currently operating both passenger and cargo, is expected to expand by in the near future to connect with the Guilford and Amtrak lines. Once completed, that connection will expand both cargo and passenger transit systems from Wiscasset to the entire US rail system, and will offer Wiscasset manufacturing and distribution companies a fast, convenient and inexpensive way to deliver their goods to markets.

Also within “a stone’s throw” of i.park is the Wiscasset Airport, a municipally-owned general aviation airport serving both recreational and commercial users. The Wiscasset Airport features a 3,400-foot runway served by both GPS and NDP approaches. The airport has seen steady growth over the past decade, and is currently undergoing a significant taxiway and hangar expansion. Plans are in progress for a 600’ runway expansion. The expansion will allow larger commercial passenger and cargo aircraft.

Wiscasset’s historic working harbor offers deep-water access to the town, which is one of Maine’s five designated deep-water ports.  While currently undeveloped as a port, the harbor has the capacity to accommodate major vessels.

Lastly, Wiscasset is a community that has enjoyed a long history of being business-friendly. Commercial resources include an economic development office which ombudsman services to small and large business interests alike. From site location assistance to financing and staffing, the Wiscasset Development Office can bring a vast wealth of resources to the table, both directly and in partnership with Coastal Enterprises, The Lincoln County Economic Development Office, and the State of Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development.