Houlton statistics indicate flourishing economic sector

HOULTON – Good news for the municipality came wrapped in a bundle of figures, as statistics showed that businesses are expanding, entrepreneurs are establishing themselves and construction is flourishing in the Shiretown.

Town Manager Douglas Hazlett announced earlier this week that statistics from the town’s code enforcement office showed that 27 businesses were established or had expanded within the municipality last year.

Twenty of those businesses were new, three had relocated, and four were expansions of existing structures.

The manager said Wednesday that he was excited about the news and what it meant for Houlton’s future.

“I think this is very encouraging,” he said. “The figures are showing that the business community has faith in Houlton and that we are on the right path.”

Hazlett said that the construction costs associated with the expansions of these businesses is $3.3 million. He added that Wade Hanson, the code enforcement officer, noted that the growth trend was continuing into this year, with the potential value of upcoming commercial business construction expected to be in excess of $11 million.

Economic development has not been far from the thoughts of town officials for the past two years. Municipal leaders have worked diligently to stimulate growth and bring businesses into the area, hiring two economic development consultants to market the town, adopting a downtown revitalization plan, and staging a series of economic development workshops to discuss options and plan for the future.

Houlton received similar news on the economic front last summer, when a state Labor Department report showed that the Houlton labor market featured 21 startup businesses employing 77 people. The report reflected activity in the third quarter of 2004.

One business that expanded its operations to Houlton last year was the Katahdin Valley Health Center. The Patten-based facility opened its doors last December. The clinic houses a multitude of medical personnel and offers sliding fees to those who meet federal income guidelines, with discounts ranging from 20 percent to 80 percent per visit, depending on income level.

KVHC also has a branch in Island Falls, and runs a full-service dental clinic in Millinocket.

Executive Director Durward Humphrey said Wednesday that the organization’s decision to expand was mostly based on an established need in the area.

“Our expansion eliminated the need for our clients in the Houlton area to travel to Patten and Island Falls to receive services,” he explained. “We started getting calls from people in Houlton four or five years ago asking us when we were going to make the move, and it was just last year that we were able to do it.”

The center invested approximately $500,000 in the overall project and now has four employees.

Humphrey estimated that four more would be hired this year.

Hazlett noted Wednesday that most of the new businesses were in the retail sector, with establishments such as Family Dollar and Rent-A-Center constructing new commercial space and opening last summer.

“This is good news,” the manager reiterated Wednesday. “These new stores and businesses bring both money and people into our community, which is good for everyone.”