Chamber links growth to town revitalization

BUCKSPORT — Less than six months old, the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce seemed to be the natural consequence of the community’s three-year revitalization effort.

While a visitor to Bucksport would find that the town looks quite different than it did in 1987, David Bennett, the chamber’s executive director predicts the town has yet to reach its full potential as a merchandising center for western Hancock County.

“I think our waterfront area is going to become a large attraction in years to come,” he said. “There are people in area even now who probably don’t know it exists.”

Planning for an operating budget of $15,000 to $20,000 in 1991, the Bucksport chamber currently has 90 members. Bennett will be going to the towns of Verona Island and Orland for contributions next year, after receiving $5,000 from the Bucksport Town Council this fall.

“We’re very pleased to get it,” he said. “The money represents our initial start-up funds. The town council felt there was a significant need here and the chamber hopes to be doing some things the town would like to have happen.”

Citing the reconstruction of Main Street, the completion of the new Bucksport Town Office, a refurbished Jed Prouty Tavern and a major expansion by Shop ‘n Save, Bennett said Bucksport is becoming a vibrant business center that should enjoy increased growth.

“There are a lot of things that are happening in this area,” he said. “There are more businesses that are coming into the community and there’s a real revitalization of many of the existing businesses. We’re pulling together in order to attract people and businesses to the area — an effort that led to the establishment of this chamber.”