PITTSFIELD – Despite predictions of a national recession, the economic picture in Pittsfield is pretty rosy, officials said Friday, and the economy is predicted to continue to do well.

“The town is booming,” Town Manager Kathryn Ruth said. It continues to focus not on “fast-food” types of establishments or “big box” stores, but rather on telecommunication and manufacturing companies that enhance what is already there.

“Pittsfield is not geared, nor do the residents want it to be a retail center,” Ruth said. To do so, she said, would be to settle for minimum wage, part-time jobs rather than jobs for skilled workers that provide better living and benefits.

Most office and retail space in Pittsfield is in use. With space that is available, there is a good chance that Somerset Plaza will be filled if Global Contract Services moves in. And of the two open storefronts on Main Street, both businesses moved to other locations in town.

Ruth said a huge asset is the town’s industrial park. “We have a gem there,” she said. The park is in a Pine Tree Zone, a tax-increment financing district, adjacent to Interstate 95, and is fully permitted.

“That permitting process alone would take a year and $200,000 to complete,” she said.

But it’s not just buildings and land that attract companies, Ruth acknowledged. “Companies are as interested in knowing as much about the community itself as the price of land or taxes.” Ruth said that community development and a sense of place are keys to solid economic development.

Michael Gray, a town councilor and member of the Pittsfield Economic Center, agreed. “We are building a swimming pool, expanding the library, revitalizing our ski slope. These investments in quality of life are very attractive to business owners,” he said. “We are doing a lot of things right and companies are noticing.”

Currently, the town is competing with three other locations to bring Global Contact Services to town. The move would provide more than 200 full-time jobs with benefits. More than 600 people applied for positions at a recent two-day job fair.

In the past several years, companies have made significant investments in Pittsfield by expanding or renovating their existing facilities, including Walpole Woodworkers, Varney Chevrolet, Bud’s Shop ‘n Save, Kleinschmidt Associates, Sebasticook Valley Credit Union, Sebasticook Valley Hospital and Sebasticook Farms.

These businesses all build on Pittsfield’s character, that of a family-oriented community that is centered on schools, neighborhoods and churches.

Today, Pittsfield is a major employment center for the region, with an estimated 2,600 people working daily, according to town statistics. Pittsfield provides jobs for half of its own workers and more than one in five Palmyra workers. More than 100 Pittsfield-based employees commute from Hartland, St. Albans, Detroit and Newport, and an additional 50 workers drive in from Dexter, Canaan, Plymouth and Burnham.

“Things are stable and growing,” Gray said.

Ruth said that the town will continue an aggressive national marketing campaign, focusing on communications information, wood and precision manufacturing.

Pittsfield is currently working with the county and state to market its unique properties, such as the former Wright’s Woolen Mill on Central Street and the former Friend’s dealership at the entrance to Manson Park.

“We are open to all possibilities,” Gray added.

bdnpittsfield@verizon.net

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