LIVERMORE FALLS – Selectmen are scheduled tonight to consider accepting a plan that recommends ways to revitalize and increase economic development downtown.

Pierce Atwood Consulting was retained in February to assist the town in that effort and to prepare a comprehensive economic development action plan for the town implement.

The town received a $10,000 grant for the planning project and matched it with $2,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds that the town had in reserve.

Pierce Atwood’s goal was to give the town an overview of what it needs to achieve its goals, according to the plan.

A Downtown Revitalization Committee worked with the firm and sought input from townspeople and businesses.

The meeting tonight begins at 6:30 at the town office.

Recommendations in the plan include:

• Creating a downtown development corporation and a downtown betterment assessment district to help manage downtown improvements.

• Creating a tax increment financing district in downtown to capture investment dollars, encourage new development, rehabilitate existing buildings and improve infrastructure.

• Creating a marketing plan – including marketing materials, a logo, and a focused strategy to market the town – based on research and workshops by Pierce Atwood.

• Identifying strategically placed parcels for development, redevelopment or infill.

• Improving the landscape and streetscape, with a focus on specific zones identified in the report – gateways, the Route 4 business district, downtown, the riverfront and the Bridge Street area.

Some of recommendations are already being done; some cost money, others don’t.

The plan outlines costs for recommendations, and includes an action plan suggesting priorities of the proposed improvements.

The plan’s summary states: “The revitalization and redevelopment of the Livermore Falls downtown is essential for preserving the commercial, civic and cultural core of the community.

“Livermore Falls has many significant historic, natural and cultural resources as well as contextual resources that make it a truly unique town. Improvements that capitalize upon these resources will ultimately improve the perceptions and overall vitality of the downtown.”

Board of Selectmen Chairman Bernal Lake said that if selectmen accept the plan, it doesn’t necessarily mean everything will be done.

They’re just recommendations, he said, there is nothing binding.

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