FirstPark
FirstPark is a 285 acres (115 ha; 1 km2; 0 sq mi) business park in Oakland, Maine.[1][2] Operated by the Kennebec Regional Development Authority, the commerce and technology center is located along the I-95 corridor.[3] FirstPark's executive director is Kristine Logan.[4]
History
[edit]The Maine Legislature established FirstPark as a project of the Kennebec Regional Development Authority in 1997, and FirstPark opened in 1998.[5] Twenty-four towns comprise the Kennebec Regional Development Authority, with the towns helping to fund business operations at the business park in return for a share of the park's generated tax revenue.[6][7][8] FirstPark paid off its bond debt in 2020 and became debt-free.[9]
In 2020, FirstPark made four commercial real estate sales, the most since 1999.[10] FirstPark tenants include Maine Eye Doctors, Maine Medical Partners, One River CPAs, Waterville Community Dental Center, and a T-Mobile call center which employs hundreds of workers.[11][12][13]
Logan says FirstPark is a "regional asset that brings multiple communities together around a shared economic goal."[14] The park is in a foreign-trade zone, where companies can engage in commerce without formally entering it into U.S. Customs territory.[15][16]
Leadership
[edit]In January 2026, Logan became executive director of FirstPark, replacing Jim Dinkle.[17][18] She was previously executive director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority, overseeing the transformation of the former Naval Air Station Brunswick.[19]
Dinkle first joined FirstPark in 2017, and is credited for guiding the park through a period of steady growth.[20] Seven lots in the park were sold under his leadership.[21]
References
[edit]- ↑ Hunt, Matt (2025-11-11). "About the Town of Oakland Maine | History & Community Info". Town of Oakland Maine. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Staff (2020-07-24). "Pandemic generates surge of interest in FirstPark, including 2020's third sale". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "Oakland's FirstPark finishes 2020 strong with $1.9 million sale". Centralmaine.com. 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "FirstPark in Oakland names new executive director". Centralmaine.com. 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "Rome says it's taken the steps required to withdraw from FirstPark". Centralmaine.com. 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "Rome says it's taken the steps required to withdraw from FirstPark". Centralmaine.com. 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "FirstPark director retires after piloting business park to sustainability". Centralmaine.com. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "KRDA / Firstpark | Fairfield, ME". www.fairfield-me.gov. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "FirstPark in Oakland pays off bond debt, looks to future". Centralmaine.com. 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "Oakland's FirstPark finishes 2020 strong with $1.9 million sale". Centralmaine.com. 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Fischer, Tina (2025-08-20). "Longtime leader of central Maine business park steps down". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Schreiber, Laurie (2020-05-21). "T-Mobile will have a new landlord at its Oakland site". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "T-Mobile looks to add 300 full-time employees at FirstPark in Oakland". Centralmaine.com. 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "FirstPark in Oakland names new executive director". Centralmaine.com. 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Milliken, Maureen (2020-09-30). "FirstPark reaches major milestone as development focus evolves". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Fischer, Tina (2025-08-20). "Longtime leader of central Maine business park steps down". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "FirstPark in Oakland names new executive director". Centralmaine.com. 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Cordes, Renee (2026-01-07). "Former head of Brunswick Landing lands at Kennebec Regional Development Authority". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ "KRDA names Kristine Logan as new executive director". The Town Line Newspaper. 2026-02-18. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Fischer, Tina (2025-08-20). "Longtime leader of central Maine business park steps down". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.
- ↑ Fischer, Tina (2025-08-20). "Longtime leader of central Maine business park steps down". Mainebiz. Retrieved 2026-05-29.