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| Gorham
acts as a powerful economic unit within the
Portland MSA. A large labor force and a diverse
employment base help make this town an excellent
location for future commercial and industrial
operations. As population and resultant development
continue to expand westward from Portland,
Gorham will emerge as one of the most important
economic centers in the southern Maine region. |
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Labor
Force
In the early 1990's Gorham experienced a slight
decline in its labor force as a result of
a state wide economic decline, but this began
to turn around in 1995. Gorham remains a strong
area for potential employment with an unemployment
rate that is well below the state average
(see Demographic
Profiles ). |
| |
| Labor
Force Statistics for Gorham, 2002-2008 |
| |
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
May
2005
|
Feb
2008
|
| Labor Force |
8,142 |
na |
8,961 |
9,101 |
8,887
|
| Employed |
7,940 |
na |
8,685 |
8,784 |
9,603
|
| Unemployed |
202 |
na |
278 |
317 |
279
|
| Unemployment
Rate |
2.5% |
na |
3.1% |
3.5% |
3.1%
|
| Source:
Maine Dept. of Labor |
|
| |
| In
2008, Gorham had a total labor force of
8,887 people. Yet, a prospective commercial
or industrial developer must consider not
only the employment base in Gorham, but
also neighboring towns with significant
labor forces. Gorham already draws a large
number of workers from outlying areas,
as is indicated by 1990 U.S. Census data
which shows that 2,270 people commuted
into the Town on a regular basis. There
is an even greater potential for Gorham
businesses to utilize labor forces in surrounding
towns (see table below), particularly those
situated to the west, such as Standish,
Buxton, Hollis and Limington. |
| |
| |
Westbrook
|
Windham
|
Buxton
|
Hollis
|
Standish
|
Limington
|
| Labor Force |
9,512
|
9,409
|
5,124
|
2,890
|
6,148
|
2,046
|
| Employment |
9,129
|
9,094
|
4,935
|
2,776
|
5,896
|
1,973
|
| Unemployment
Rate |
3.83%
|
3.3%
|
3.7%
|
3.9%
|
4.1%
|
3.6%
|
| Source:
Maine Dept. of Labo r 2005 |
|
| |
Employment
Center
Gorham is not simply a bedroom community providing
labor for nearby market areas; it is an employment
center that provides work opportunities for
people living in the Town and in surrounding
areas. In 2000, the total employment in Gorham
was 3,740. Surrounding cities such as Portland,
Westbrook and Buxton make an important contribution
to Gorham's work force. The fact that over
half of the jobs in Gorham are filled by residents
of different communities attests to the Town's
position as a thriving employment center.
Gorham residents are also mobile and are able
to find work in other markets. In 1990, 4,569
people commuted from the Town to another employment
destination.
Since 1995, reliance on the service sector
has abated, with 34% of the Town's covered
employment in that area, down from 50%.
This has been offset by gains in retail, manufacturing
and construction. |
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| Covered
Employment by Major Industry in Gorham,
2000 |
| Year |
Total
|
Agr.
|
Ming.
|
Constr.
|
Trans.
|
Whsl.
Trade
|
Retail
|
Finan.
|
Service
|
Pub.
Admin
|
| 2000 |
3,740
|
47
|
498
|
680
|
91
|
254
|
641
|
176
|
1,267
|
86
|
| Source:
Maine Dept. of Labor |
|
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 |
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Leading
Employers
Gorham has become an employment center due
to a number of large, financially sturdy companies
and organizations choosing to locate their
operations in the Town. The employers employing
over a hundred people represent a combination
of municipal, educational and industrial entities. |
|
Largest
Employers in Gorham, March 2008 |
| Employer |
Rank |
#
of Employees |
| University of So. Maine |
1 |
615 |
| Gorham House |
2 |
216 |
| American Tool |
3 |
210 |
| Nappi Distributors |
4 |
184 |
| RJ Grondin & Sons |
6 |
144 |
| Shaw Brothers Construction |
7 |
105 |
| Gorham Savings Bank |
8 |
89 |
| GPX Tire . |
9 |
89 |
| Yotul Stove, Inc |
10 |
81 |
| Source:
Maine Dept. of Labor |
|
| |
Retail
Center
Because Gorham is a workplace for so many
people in the region, it also acts as a retail
center. In this regard, residents of Gorham
as well as surrounding communities choose
the Town as not only their location of employment,
but a place to shop and conduct daily business.
In 1997, Gorham recorded $52,634,700 in total
taxable sales, one of the highest in the Portland
MSA suburban community, and a 32% increase
from 1994. |
| |
Taxable Sales
In Thousands For Gorham, 2002-2005
|
Year |
Bus. Oper. |
Bldg. Supply |
Food Store |
Gen. Mdse. |
Other Retail |
Auto. Transp. |
Restaurant/ Lodging |
Consum Sales |
Total |
| 2002
|
10,568 |
12,748
|
9,944
|
7,130
|
8,305
|
16,573
|
9,932
|
64,631
|
139,831
|
| 2003
|
10,296
|
13,934
|
11,532 |
7,176 |
8,672
|
18,768
|
10,218
|
70,299
|
150,895
|
| 2004
|
11,914
|
14,893
|
11,780
|
7,169
|
9,364
|
22,259
|
10,741
|
76,206
|
164,326
|
| 2005
|
12,165
|
16,601
|
12,014
|
6,238
|
9,160
|
25,630
|
10,964
|
80,665
|
173,437 |
|
| Source:
Maine Department of Labor |
Retail
Trade Area
A 2000 market study identified the Gorham
primary retail trade area as comprising the
towns of Gorham, Buxton, Standish, Hollis,
Limington, Baldwin and Sebago. In 2000, this
area had a population of 37,715 which has
continued to increase. |
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 |
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Retail
Sales
Taxable sales data in Gorham compliment employment
levels in that the Town has a service-oriented
economy. Consumer sales totaled $92,164,600
in 2006, representing almost all taxable transactions.
Food store, restaurant/lodging and building
supply were the largest sales categories.
Overall, taxable sales have increased over
the last four years in Gorham. 2006 levels
were 41% higher than those recorded for 2000. |
| |
Commercial
Support Services
A range of commercial services provides support
for Gorham area businesses of all types. Nine
lawyers, four accountants, three business
consultants, and twelve insurance agencies
assist companies in handling their financial
and legal matters. Three service stations
and three types of office supply and support
services help to maintain the day-to-day efficiency
of local business. |
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