In an effort to promote economic growth, Wiscasset is working to create an Economic Development Committee, a business guide and is asking for members of the public to participate.

Since the decommissioning of Maine Yankee, economic development has been a priority of the town, and the Board of Selectmen continues to apply action to matters relating to the economic growth of the community. They directed Town Planner Misty Gorski to address economic development in addition to land use planning.

The selectmen recently accepted Gorki’s rec-ommendation to form an Economic Development Committee made up of members of the community, to assist her in these duties. The committee’s goals will include reviewing and recommending policy actions and assisting in marketing, business attraction and business retention. Also, according to Town Manager Laurie Smith, having a standing committee working on economic development may help community members stay connected to the town’s work.

According to the town planner, they are developing a full proposal to be presented to the selectmen and a list of expertise that might be required of the committee members.

“We will need people with backgrounds in business, finance, and marketing,” Gorski said. The committee members will be appointed by the selectmen.

Along with her other duties, Gorski is working to assist local residents with small business development. She has developed a business guide for current and new businesses. She hopes the guide will be out by mid July.

The guide will give contact information and ex-plain resources for businesses available at the local, state and federal level. The information can be used for everything from “What to do when constructing a small addition” to “How do start a business from scratch.”

The guide will also be used to market the town’s assets to people from inside and outside the region, with the list of reasons why someone should work, play and live in Wiscasset.

Gorski is asking residents and business owners to assist the town in developing the guide by sharing their stories of why they are in Wiscasset and why they chose to open a business in Wiscasset.

“Whether you are from away, or a longtime resident, we are interested in learning what drew you to our community,” Gorski said. “Your information is valuable as we gather data to communicate our community assets and encourage new business entrepreneurs to settle in Wiscasset.”

Those who would like comment or send stories can contact the town planner at townplanner@wiscasset.org, or 882-8200, ext. 106.