HOULTON – In the past year, economic development has never been far from the thoughts or the agenda of town councilors.

In order to stimulate growth and bring businesses into the area, the panel hired two economic development consultants to market the town, adopted a downtown revitalization plan, and staged a series of economic development workshops to discuss options and plan for the future.

Members aim to continue with their efforts next year, and Town Manager Douglas Hazlett said Wednesday that officials have proposed allocating $96,000 in the fiscal year 2006 budget for economic development.

Hazlett said that the money has not been designated for any particular purpose or group, but can be used by the town for a number of things.

“That seemed like a better way to do it,” Hazlett explained. “We need more flexibility when it comes to how we go about economic development. This money could be used to hire consultants or for marketing purposes, it all depends on our needs. A need that is there at one time may change in the future, so this will give us more options.”

For the past six years, the council had put the town’s economic course in the hands of the Southern Aroostook Development Corp., which works to boost the economic base of the region.

Last year, however, councilors opted not to give the group any funding. Some members cited the group’s failure to bring any new businesses to town as a reason for the decision.

One week later, the group received $20,000 from the Shiretown Development Corp., which is a separate entity from the council. A short time later, SADC officials assisted in completing a deal that brought five new jobs to the Houlton International Corp. building.

SADC Executive Director Jon McLaughlin said Wednesday that the group was not requesting any money from the town next year. He said that the group would put in a request at some point to be used as a consultant by the municipality.

“I think that the town’s new plan makes sense,” he noted. “When the time comes that they are seeking services, we will make a pitch to them and hope for the best.”