S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

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Anna Mae Bridges
6 years ago
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1 S.W.O.T.

2 STRENGTHS - Engaged Citizenry (the people and service organizations) - Walkable and Architecturally significant downtown - Thoughtful Developers - Small Businesses (risk takers) - Dedicated Professional City Staff - UNE Partnership with Schools - Location (Coastal, City, Rural with easy access Portland and Boston) - Strategic commerce location (Airport, Train, I95, Portland/Boston) - Biddeford/Saco Chamber of Commerce - Heart of Biddeford - Beaches and River - Industrial Parks and Trains - Biddeford Airport - Strong Heritage (Preservation of Historic buildings and mills) - Respect for hard work, ethics and determination - Enthusiastic support for efforts to revitalize community - SMHC growing reputation - Variety of dining options -Downtown Mills Mill development - Clifford Park - Arts - Theater - Buzz from new business - Conversation lands - Historical System - McArthur Library - Mills Museum - City services available - Proud People - Rebirth of Mills District - Biddeford Pool and scenic spots - Wood Island Light and Tours - Natural Gas and other power production capability - Commercial Shopping Plaza - Strong Financial Institutions - Excellent/Emerging talent in school system management - Economic center of York County - Many small organizations that work hard to serve poor, working poor disabled and/or isolated

3 WEAKNESSES - City infrastructure can be improved - Age of housing stock lack of quality housing (especially those who qualify for vouchers) - Poor roads and sidewalk conditions - Limited bus schedule - Teen center too far out - Trade School Programs needs improvement - Jobs - Certain Negative Segment (out spoken vocal minority) - Need for Downtown Parking - Long standing Negative perception (poor, working class town with little prospect) - River/Biddeford Pool dredging desperately needed - Lack of Marketing/Public Relations Plan - Traffic Flow - Media/Newspaper - Unrefined downtown population - lack of promotion of the City - Public perception of Downtown (loiters) - City infrastructure can be improved - Lack of Parking for developing Mill area and as a source for tax revenue and jobs - Downtown focused more on vehicles than pedestrians - Tight (affordable) housing market - Perception is reality - Division among residents - Laissez-faire attitude of citizens - Internal mindset of community - Lack of communication (availability and ease) - Uniformed angry citizens - Distressed properties - Image (City itself, outsiders of City - Lack of diversity - Too caught up in past - City Hall clock towers needs repair - Negative Outlook - Lack of town spirit/culture

4 OPPORTUNITIES - UNE and University College on Saco Island - Downtown Mill area - Rehab and Reuse of Mills Lacks Momentum - Partnerships with UNE - Online Calendar - Rotary Park - Airport - The amazing tunnel system no else has it - Expanding Riverwalk - Need more retail - Consideration of Downtown District - Riverwalk, Eastern Trail, Clifford Park Create connected trail system (recreation opportunities) - Expand partnerships between school and UNE - Access to train - Available housing stock in price range to attract young professionals - Learn about supportive Governmental and Private organizations to assist in resolving problems in the community (i.e. HUD, FSS) - MERC site Redevelopment potential - People willing to help Biddeford move forward - Portland now overpriced sending business and people South - Lincoln Street Project - Improving Scholl System - Success story of the school people love underdog stories - Economic Development - Initiatives to bring students to downtown (College Town) - Educated/Trained workforce center - Young entrepreneurs (Go Getters) - Agriculture/Aquaculture - Direct Public offerings and micro investments - Programs for venture capital - Public/Private Partnerships - Public Access could offer a wider range of programming, local interests, etc.

5 THREATS - Lack of Information - Aging Population - Parking - Not seeing the big picture - Environmental changes - Saco looks appealing (Schools/Community) - Drugs, drug crisis and related crime - Potential to oversell tourism - Mediocrity - Fear of change in parts of the community - Negative perceptions, public dialogue - Reputation of the community (historic) this is changing - Lack of common vision for change - Downtown parking in the future - Lack of quality jobs - Lack of support from State Government - Some narrow minds - Need of high speed internet throughout the city - Nay-Sayers controlling the messaging - Potential for highest minimum wage in New England - Aging infrastructure - Global warming, rising sea levels, federal flood insurance, erosion and damage from storms - Traffic discouraging people from traveling through city - Lack of ethnic diversity - Taxes and too much concern with taxes - National and State trends for cutting services for the poorest in our community - Become gentrified enough that blue collar and poor migrate - City crime culture, especially amongst teens and young adults

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