REMAKING MILLS

Maine has dozens of disused mill buildings, each in a community with high hopes for the future of these mostly empty structures. To fulfill those hopes, lawmakers are wise to get better information about what types of assistance are needed and what policies will ensure that mill redevelopment projects not only begin but are completed.

Rep. Stephen Beaudette, a Biddeford Democrat, proposed tax incentives to encourage such development. Because of the late date in the legislative session, the Taxation Committee instead supported an analysis of ways to encourage redevelopment of old mills.

Given the importance of these policies, and the difficulty of offsetting any tax incentives with revenue increases or program cuts, this is a good approach.

Rep. Beaudette’s proposal would now have the Community Preservation Advisory Committee convene a working group to do this work and report to lawmakers early next year.

The group will look at tax credits, tax exemptions and other means of financing mill redevelopment projects. It should also examine whether other sources of funding, such as from foundations and the federal government, may be available to some projects.

In addition to financing, the group should also look at ways of ensuring that redevelopment work is not merely promised, but actually happens. One way to do this is for projects to include milestones. For example, a tax break could be contingent upon a set number of square feet being rehabilitated to comply with building and safety codes by a set date.

Another issue is seeking ways to extend help now available to other types of development. About 40 very small businesses have taken space in the Riverdam Millyard, a former textile mill in Biddeford that focuses on space for artists and other involved in the creative economy. Individually, the businesses don’t qualify for Pine Tree Zone benefits, says Rep. Beaudette. Perhaps they could be bundled together or other means could be found for them to receive the benefits.

D’arcy Main-Boyington, Brewer’s economic development director, also suggests a state program like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “brownfields” initiative would help. Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underused industrial or commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by environmental contamination. State funds to help fulfill the required match to receive federal money could help, she says.

These and other ideas should be examined by the working group to help Maine and local communities succeed in remaking their mills.