July/August 2019
Latest News...
Interest in FirstPark growing across the country and world

Site visits and inquiries to FirstPark have increased over the summer months. Aside from Maine, we have had contact the past few weeks with entities in California, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Several entities within China have looked at our website the past week, which the FirstPark office closely monitors.
Increased Refunds to Member Communities
Refunds to member communities of the Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA)/FirstPark increased for the second straight year as the result of higher assessed property values within FirstPark. For fiscal year 2018-19, $273,750 was budgeted for the refunds. The actual amount turned out to be $364,547. Treasurer James Jurdak presented the good news to member communities at the July 25 meeting of the KRDA General Assembly with the caveat that such revenues are projected almost two years in advance with little data as to what improvements current property owners are doing.

“As we continue to grow FirstPark, member communities are likely to see a growing revenue stream to their local budgets from their investment 20 years ago in this commerce park,” said Executive Director Jim Dinkle.
A Wealth of Free Data at Your Fingertips
A wealth of free data is at your fingertips from the Maine Center for Workforce Research and Information when you visit their website. Don’t pay exorbitant prices for the same current, up-to-date data free to web users.
Update from FirstPark's General Assembly
Maine's chief economist Glenn Mills addressed FirstPark’s General Assembly on July 26 and generally gave Maine’s economy a thumbs up for the near term barring a national emergency or some unforeseen event. Mills discussed labor, population and skills trends from throughout Maine. He also offered some good tips for FirstPark when marketing ourselves against competitors from other parts of the country, such as our more affordable land costs, lower wage rates and the overall lower cost of doing business in rural parts of Maine. Thank you to General Assembly member Craig Nelson for helping arrange the Mills visit.
T-Mobile & Sprint Merger Update
The T-Mobile and Sprint merger took a giant leap forward on Friday, July 26, when the US Department of Justice approved the $26.5 billion agreement. The merger will create the nation’s third (T-Mobile) and fourth (dish) largest wireless providers. Attorneys General from 13 states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit to block the merger, so that is the final hurdle before the formal consolidation.
Looking ahead...
Free Golf Anybody?
FirstPark is among the corporate sponsors of the 2019 Ray Haskell Lincoln Ford Major League Baseball Players/Alumni Association Golf Outing to support youth in need at the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and the Alfond Youth Center. FirstPark is offering a FREE registration for one golfer to attend the event. The first person to read this and call (207) 859-9716 will win! Otherwise, we encourage you to golf or sponsor the outing by visiting www.clubaycc.org/golf-fundraisers.
American Red Cross Blood Drive August 5
An American Red Cross regional blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 5 at the Waterville Best Western Plus, 375 Main Street. The blood drive is being sponsored by the Waterville Noon Rotary Club. Donors are encouraged to reserve a time online at www.redcrossblood.org at the Waterville ZIP Code 04901 and follow the links to register for the August 5 Waterville event. Walk-ins, of course, are welcome.
Kennebec Valley Chamber Business Expo October 9
FirstPark will exhibit at the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on October 9 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. The Expo runs from 2 to 7 p.m. and includes great food and a cash bar. More than $6,000 in prizes are offered to attendees, including a $1,000 cash grand prize! Look for more information in upcoming FirstPark updates. Ink October 9 on your calendar now!
Connect with FirstPark
James W. Dinkle, Executive Director

Call Jim at 207-859-9716, email exdirector@firstpark.com, or fill out this form on our website.
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