DEXTER – Eastern Maine Development Corp. has agreed to donate some limited work to Dexter to spur economic development.

EMDC will focus on three different efforts to enhance the local, volunteer economic development committee’s efforts, according to Town Manager Judy Doore.

It will do a business climate audit to determine what issues are discouraging business growth and what measures need to be taken. In addition, the company will make personal visits to local employers and businesses to determine which programs would be effective in encouraging new investment, business attraction and retention of local businesses, and it will arrange meetings with local business owners to familiarize them with low-interest loans such as the SBA 504 program and microloan programs, Doore said.

While the work will be done free of charge, the Town Council authorized the expenditure of up to $4,000 in the next fiscal year to pay for direct expenses from the work including mileage, telephone, photocopies and postage.

The cost will be funded through a budget account set up for grant matches, Doore said. She said the funds were not needed this year because the town secured grants that did not require a match.

This work, considered Phase I, is expected to lead to a second phase in which the town will contract with EMDC for a fee to continue local economic work, according to Doore. “EMDC’s willingness to provide these services from now until June will better assist them in working out an arrangement with us for paid service in the coming fiscal year,” she said.

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