A bold and unique business park that redefines how communities can work together to promote economic development is being proposed in Brewer and Orrington, utilizing large tracts of property on both sides of their common border. The idea, which has been under discussion for several years, is moving from the idea stage to reality.

Although far from design completion, the business park already is being touted by proponents as a statewide model for other communities delving into regional economic development efforts.

Municipal officials from Brewer and Orrington have solicited and received proposals for an engineering consultant to complete feasibility and design work for the 450-acre park, which would be more than three times the size of Brewer’s nearly full East-West Industrial Park. Within a week, they expect to hire a firm to complete the next phase of a project that grew out of meetings between economic development officials in both communities.

The business park, as yet unnamed, would consist of about 321 acres in Brewer and 129 acres in Orrington. It would be the first of its kind in the state.

The two communities are sharing the $80,000 cost of the feasibility study and design work. The total cost of the project has not yet been calculated, according to community officials.

According to economic development officials in both communities, the proposed business park is innovative because it crosses municipal boundaries and intends to reduce duplication and to improve efficiencies in economic development in the area. More important, the proposed business park is “the first time ever in the area that communities have talked about tying themselves together in a revenue-sharing project, and that is huge,” said Andrew “Drew” Sachs, Brewer’s economic development director.

Officials said they already have had expressions of interest from possible tenants, including medium-to large-sized corporations looking to expand, relocate or get into new product lines within the next five years.

The area for the proposed development consists of a heart-shaped tract of land and would be bordered by the Wiswell Road, the Brewer Lake Road, and the Fields Pond Road. The land is situated primarily on undeveloped back land away from residential and other developed areas. All of the property is owned or is under option by Brewer and Orrington, and the business park development would not negatively affect or displace any existing structures.

The uniqueness of the business park lies in a proposed neighborhood concept. Entire sections would be devoted to “neighborhoods” for different businesses – industrial, commercial and professional. It would be managed by a single board and would emphasize different property types, including a hillside that would be developed to meet the needs of target markets.

Both communities propose to share in the costs and revenues connected with the proposed business park.

The brainchild of Sachs and Orrington officials, the business park has been discussed behind closed doors for about two years. Officials announced this week that initial feasibility and land assembly work have been completed, and they are ready to move into the next phase.

“The project is one we’re very excited about,” said Sachs. It is in line with Gov. John Baldacci’s economic development initiatives and “brings the whole discussion of regionalism and economic development to a whole new level,” Sachs said.

Brewer’s comprehensive plan, devised in the mid-1990s, pinpointed land in the area of the proposed business park to be the next site for extensive commercial development in the city of 9,000 people. In the year 2000, the town of Orrington listed similar goals. Both communities see the business park as an opportunity to create jobs and to increase their respective tax bases consistent with a vision shared by their residents.

Brewer City Manager Steve Bost said the proposed business park with a neighboring community could better prepare the area if a downturn in the economy occurs in the next 10 to 20 years. Both communities already have indications of fragile industry, according to Bost. “Brewer has Eastern Fine [Paper Co., which has filed for bankruptcy] and Orrington has Holtra Chem,” which shut down, costing the community about 70 jobs.

“This is our diamond in the rough,” said Brewer Mayor Gail Kelly.

For Orrington, the decision to join the project was easy.

“We decided to piggyback with Brewer” on the project, said Paul White, first selectman in Orrington. Brewer “has a great record for economic development” with its successful East-West Industrial Park and the developing Brewer Professional Center, White said.

“What better recommendation than success?” said Orrington Selectman Jim Stoneton.

The only other multi-town business park in Maine is located in Oakland. Called First Park, it is different from the project proposed for Brewer-Orrington in that several towns invested in it but it is located only in one community.

To this point, officials have been quietly working to bolster the proposed project behind the scenes.

“Now is the time when the rubber meets the road,” said Sachs.

The engineering firm selected will be hired to do design work, including wetland and soil studies, and to figure the costs and revenues connected with the proposed business park.

The next six months also will involve clearly defining and documenting the partnership between Brewer and Orrington, according to Sachs and others.

Orrington wants to increase its tax base, to increase jobs, but also wants to retain the rural flavor it is known for, according to Town Manager Dexter Johnson. Otherwise, “we’re faced with business development all along Route 15,” Johnson said.

To that end, the business park will be designed to be environmentally pleasing, with plantings and a walking trail, among other amenities. It will be designed to fit in with the community with soft lighting and underground utilities, according to officials.