FARMINGTON — Greater Franklin Development Corporation (GFDC) Executive Director Alison Hagerstrom spoke to Farmington Rotarians on May 14 about the economic trends in Franklin County.

She noted that the GFDC is helping existing businesses develop their workforce so they can grow from within, and trying to encourage entrepreneurs to start new businesses. Nationwide, jobs used to be counted by job creation. Now, for economic development organizations such as GFDC, the metrics are measured in terms of business visits, said Hagerstrom.

“I estimate I made 35 business visits last year,” said Hagerstrom. She added that she also made 11-12 small business referrals last year. This year, Hagerstrom will be tracking the conversations she has with businesses as well.

Last year, she did five site visits to businesses with Maine’s Congressional delegation.

“They’ll come when their schedule permits,” said Hagerstrom. “Certainly, keeping in touch with our elected representatives is very important.”

There are new members of the GFDC Board of Directors. Senior Project Manager Darryl Brown of Cianbro, General Manager/Chief Engineer Tom Dubois of Main-Land Development, UMF President Kathryn Foster, Farmington WalMart General Manager Greg Patterson, and Wendy Pomeroy of Kyes Insurance have all come on recently to the board to lend their expertise, said Hagerstrom.

EB5 is a new program center specializing in foreign investment, said Hagerstrom. For every $500,000 invested, at least 10 jobs must be created by the business.

“It hasn’t had the structure to operate as it should,” said Hagerstrom. “It’s very complex and complicated.”

She has been deeply involved with the amendment process for the Franklin County Tax Increment Financing program for the Kibby Wind Farm. “There’s things that we discussed that need to be added to it,” she said.

One of the goals is to expand cell phone and broadband coverage into remote parts of the county. Hagerstrom noted that the communications aspect is considered infrastructure.

This fall, a tourism summit is being planned by the GFDC in conjunction with the Franklin County Tourism Network, sometime after the foliage season, said Hagerstrom. At some point this year, the GFDC will also co-host an entrepreneurial event with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce with valuable advice to help businesses grow. A panel of business owners will speak at the event.

UMF Vice President of Student and Community Services Celeste Branham recognized UMF senior and Farmington Rotaract President Katie Beach with the Pillars Award from the Maine Campus Compact. The award recognizes a student for achievement and leadership in the community and on campus.

“Katie is an admirably strong leader,” said Branham. She mentioned that Beach had led a Terracycle project for grades K-3 at the Mallett School in Farmington.

“She led the students and staff to embrace the lifelong lesson of recycling,” said Branham. “Above all of this, Katie is a genuinely kind, compassionate, and good person.”

“This is a surprise,” Beach admitted. “I just wanted to thank the Rotary for everything you’ve done for me. I am truly honored to be part of this group and part of this student organization.”

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