Economic Development Committee

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Annual Update 2024

Over the past year, the Economic Development Committee has focused its efforts on establishing clear priorities to guide our work. We drew from previous reports, independent research, and our collective understanding of Orleans—both as it is today and as we envision it in the future.

Our guiding vision is of a town where businesses thrive year-round, serving both our residents and seasonal visitors. With that in mind, our discussions have centered on the foundational elements we can influence—those that contribute to a vibrant, sustainable local economy.

We recognize that many of the key factors affecting economic development fall under the purview of other town committees or departments. As such, one of our core roles is to develop informed recommendations and share them with the appropriate decision-making bodies. To ensure our contributions are relevant and impactful, we are committed to grounding our work in data.

We believe that data should play a central role in shaping town policy and economic strategy. Too often, important trends and facts are absent from conversations at Town Meeting or committee discussions, which can lead to confusion or misinformed decisions. To address this, we have identified key data points to track over time. These will help us interpret trends accurately, assess the impact of our recommendations, and provide clarity on economic shifts in Orleans.

The town has changed significantly over the years. However, understanding the “why” behind these changes has often been speculative and retrospective. The Economic Development Committee aims to take a more proactive approach by collecting and presenting meaningful data to help guide decisions made by the Select Board and Town Meeting.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure Orleans has a strong economic foundation, guided by informed planning and collaborative action. We look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the broader community and town leadership.

Respectfully Submitted by Alisa Magnotta, Chair