San Jose, Singapore, and Scarborough, Maine; has a pretty good ring to it, wouldn't you say? Looks pretty good on a business letterhead as well, and that's what is going to be on Fairchild Semiconductor's corporate correspondence come next November, 2009.
Fairchild, the 23rd largest producer of semiconductor technology in the world and the second largest company headquartered in Maine, broke ground this week on its 90,000 s/f LEED certified east coast headquarters in "Scarborough's Professional Gateway". Fairchild joins Kindercare, a nationwide child care corporation at Gateway Sq. at exit 42 of the Maine Tpke. Gateway Sq. is the sister development of the Gateway Shoppes, the home of Cabela's, the outdoor outfitters and a number of retail and hospitality venues. The Gateway Sq. is unique in terms of energy efficiency. All structures within the Gateway Sq. development are planned as LEED certified buildings. One of the first developments of its kind in Maine.
Despite the questionable financial news, activity remains high in Scarborough with many projects underway. At the Scarborough Gallery near the South Portland line, work continues on the new Super Wal-Mart, scheduled for completion in the next few months. With continuing, office, high tech and retail development along Rte. One, Scarborough should weather the economic downturn with available space to accommodate new and expanding businesses in the future.
Scarborough as a community is remaining pro active in being ready for this future development. The Scarborough Comprehensive Implementation Committee (CPIC) is recommending the rezoning of a number of areas in town from residential to commercial and industrial. A new hybrid, mixed use zone has been created on the Scarborough/South Portland border adjacent to the Maine Mall, and a recommendation is now circulating to rezone an area adjacent to exit 42 from business to industrial.
Scarborough continues working with the municipalities of Portland, South Portland and Westbrook in marketing Greater Portland as "Maine's Biotech Hub." With the majority of bio tech ventures in the Greater Portland area, its proximity to Boston and Cambridge, and excellent facilities and infrastructure should make this area a logical choice for bio tech expansion.

Though these are trying times, Scarborough continues to lead Greater Portland in development opportunities and we are looking to and are preparing for brighter days ahead.

Harvey Rosenfeld is the president and executive director of the Scarborough Economic Development Corp., Scarborough.