How a Maine town creates a new economy
By Denise Duda

This is the second article of a series of reports by The Monument on Maine's Creative Economy. This week's segment will focus on Eastport and its efforts to embrace the creative economy. We take a look at what, if any, economic impact that Eastport's ambitious creative endeavor has had on the town.

Right, The Commons in Eastport is a trendy and tasteful renovation of an 1887 building which now houses a gallery featuring 48 artisans, a classroom/meeting space, offices, and two glorious summer rental apartments. Within 30 feet of Passamaquoddy Bay, looking east to catch the sunrise over Campobello Island, and nestled next to the town pier where sailing vessels, tugboats and the Eastport fishing fleet moor, the apartments are a blend of sleek decor, downeast light, and nature in every view.

Eastport is in the midst of redefining itself economically. It continues to draw large summer crowds, but up until about twenty years ago the seaside community also leaned heavily on its numerous sardine canneries. As the canneries closed the local economy suffered and the area declined. Its remote location on the Downeast Canadian border meant that attracting similar industrial concerns was an unlikely possibility. Many residents left in search of new jobs. Like many other Maine towns, Eastport has been trying to pick itself up ever since.

Remote location no deterrent

What makes this little town on the Bay of Fundy so remarkable is that with the quiet determination of a relatively few small business entrepreneurs, it is starting to do just that. The new growth is being carefully cultivated by a number of forward thinking individuals in Eastport who are capitalizing on a shift towards an artistic or creative economy. Fed by an influx of artists from Portland and surrounding communities, and a vibrant summer tourist population, Eastport has seen a change from larger employers to small creative businesses with fewer employees.

Below, Women of The Commons. Front row/left: Sue Crawford, Alice Otis, Ruth Brown, Alice Gough Back row/left: Anna Baskerville, Meg McGarvey, Nancy Asante, Linda Godfrey, Vera Francis.


A decision to build on this segment of the economy is at the heart of one group known as The Commons. As if to symbolize the nontraditional track of their business, the primary shareholders are a group of over-fifty women with long term ties to the area. The partners pioneered a vision to renovate a historic but neglected building in downtown Eastport, known as the Mincton Building, and opened the new facilities in May 2004. The Shop At The Commons houses a variety of fine art and the work of craftsmen and artisans all working with nature themes. Their work includes handspun yarns, hand-knit sweaters, burl bowls, original jewelry and jams.

Diversify, diversify, diversify

Yet rather than rely solely on the shop's retail sales which peaks and valleys seasonally, the women added a numerous other economic opportunities to support the primary, creative one. They will soon have online shopping through their website as well.

Below, Rev. Renee Garrett, Youth Minister at All Soul's Church in Bangor, Maine spent her sabbatical month writing children's stories in the Tidewatcher apartment at The Commons. "Totally inspiring and refreshing" was how the author described her getaway space.

They also recognized the need for temporary office space and conference room facilities and now The Commons offers practical support to professionals and visiting artists through their "Office for a Day" professional space rentals. The offices have high speed internet access and phone systems. A classroom/film studio can also be rented by the day. On the second floor two premium furnished apartments overlook Passamaquoddy Bay. They are rented weekly during the summer and seasonally from October to May, often by people on sabbatical looking for a restful getaway.


The Monument interviewed Linda Cross Godfrey, one of the four primary partners of The Commons and asked what, if any, economic effect their business, as part of the creative economy, has had on the town of Eastport.
"The Creative Economy is alive and moving very quickly in Eastport. We feel we are in a leading position and one of several other organizations and businesses that are moving in that way."

Ms. Godfrey says that The Commons is the first building that people see as they turn the corner into Eastport and that when visitors and locals see the beautifully renovated building, that it is inspiring. Following the successful lead of The Commons, there are three buildings now undergoing winter renovations for spring or summer openings.

Local ownership means local heart

Ms. Godfrey says that the off season remodeling makes for an active downtown, with the increased activity benefiting the local merchants. "It's exciting- like waiting for the curtain to go up! The plastic will come down, the scaffolding will fold up and we'll see the wonderful outcome."

Ms. Godfrey sees benefits in the new owners of the buildings being locally based or having come to the area committed to renovating the downtown buildings into living/working space. Previous owners were from New Jersey or New York and couldn't give the buildings or their businesses the time and attention they required. Godfrey says that the residential ownership of the buildings is a huge change. She points out that there are twenty-nine buildings in the downtown area that are registered with either the local or national historic registry and sees these buildings as forming the basis of the creative economy in Eastport.

Godfrey credits the book by Richard Florida, "The Rise of the Creative Class" and Faith Popcorn's, "The Popcorn Report" as the impetus for the start of the idea for The Commons. Especially important were Popcorn's ideas about what people want for lifestyle options. According to Godfrey, "Eastport scores high in quality of life issues- what people wish their life could be like."

Taking small bites leads to success

The Monument asked what aspects of The Commons are most important to the community. Godfrey laid out four guidelines:

First, believe in oneself and one's community and commit to make it the best it can be.

Second, focus on abundance, not scarcity (with six business partners she says that they can move forward on a number of projects and with 48 artisans they have an abundance of work for people to choose from.)

Third, there needs to be a willingness to share in the bigger picture. Godfrey says that tourists' experiences are enhanced by being welcomed not only at The Commons but also at nearby antique shops, galleries and restaurants.

Last, embrace smallness as a wonderful opportunity to bring together many things (gallery, shop space, offices etc.) to make a larger possibility.