City of South Portland, South Portland, ME

City of South Portland

www.southportland.org

The City of South Portland is a coastal community in southern Maine encompassing an area of 12.93 square miles. The city has been referred to as two cities, with the western half of the city hosting commercial, industrial and advanced technology property and the eastern half of the city sporting a community college, a beach area, several parks, one of the State`s largest marinas, a municipal boat ramp, a maritime museum and the second busiest oil port on the entire East Coast. Prior to World War II South Portland was a residential community that broke away from Cape Elizabeth in 1895. The city was pretty quiet until a shipyard was established in 1940 to build cargo ships for Great Britain. When the United States became involved with World War II the shipyard expanded and turned out 236 of the 440 foot long Liberty Ships, more than 10 percent of all the Liberty ships built during the war years. At its peak, the shipyard employed some 30,000 people, including thousands of women, Wendy Welders and Rosie Riveters who took over the jobs vacated by men going into the service. The shipyard gradually ceased operations after the war ended in 1945. The city remained relatively quiet until the mid 1960`s when consideration was given to develop a piece of land on the west end of the city. Recognizing the location as having a healthy economic future, the city purchased 137 acres from Dwyer`s pig farm in anticipation of the Interstate 295 spur through Portland and South Portland that would be linking with the turnpike just south of the farm, with the added advantage of the close proximity of the Portland International Jetport (the runway is actually located in South Portland). When a developer came to the area looking for a likely spot for a shopping center, South Portland was chosen over Portland, Scarborough and Falmouth. As a result, the Maine Mall opened its first twenty stores to crowds of shoppers in August 1971. In September of 1972 the total taxable sales for the month were 7.5 million. The Mall employed 2,000 employees and had a 10 million dollar annual payroll. In the last 30 years the Maine Mall area has evolved from farmland into the largest retail, commercial, and office complex north of Boston and currently employs more than 3,000 people. Each year the Mall`s 140 businesses draw 13 million visitors to its 1.2 million square feet of retail space. The population of South Portland swells from 23,300 to between 60,000 and 80,000 whenever the Mall`s doors are open. In the western half of the City where the Maine Mall is located, you will also find two world-class computer chip factories, Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor, Maine headquarters of Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Wright Express. These businesses provide employment to approximately 6,000 people. Because of the tax benefits of having such a large and diverse growth of business and commercial property, local government is able to provide many amenities to its residents. Residential taxes account for only forty cents of every tax dollar collected. Citizens enjoy excellent public safety services with the Police and Fire Departments staffed with over 115 employees supplemented by 100 call company personnel. The Parks and Recreation Department provides services which improve the quality of life for the residents and creates a very active sense of community. The Parks Department maintains a nine-hole Municipal Golf course, 525 acres of park land (of which 300 are actively maintained), a municipal beach and over 8 miles of walking trails. The Recreation Division oversees a municipal swimming pool and a new community center. Six week summer recreation camps provide several hundred children the opportunity to stay active and social through out the summer. Seniors have many opportunities to gather at the community center for a lunch, bingo, walking on the indoor track and also enjoy many other activities. South Portland places tremendous value on recreational sports and activities. The Public Library maintains a collection of over 90,000 volumes and offers specialized service to the homebound and shut-ins as well as a unique young adult room in the main library. The South Portland Bus Service operates a fleet of seven 30-foot, handicapped accessible, transit buses over 5 routes through the City. What makes the community extra unique is the high level of community involvement and participation.

More>>

Number of Employees: 100-250
Annual Revenue: $0-1 Million

www.southportland.org
42 Oneil St
South Portland, ME USA 04106
Phone: 207.767.7635

Similar Companies

Texas Municipal Clerks Association

The Texas Municipal Clerks Certification Program began in 1967 at the University of North Texas from a study initiated by the Association of City Clerks and Secretaries of Texas (now Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Inc.) and prepared by Dorothy Byrd. Ms. Byrd continued as the Executive Director until her retirement in December 1993. Dr. Joyce Snay became the new Executive Director in January 1994. In 2007 the Executive Director`s position was split to form a co-directorship, consisting of an Education Director and an Administrative Director. In 2013 Dr. Joyce Snay retired, and Dr. Amy Holt became the new Education Director.

Jaffrey Town

Jaffrey Town is a Jaffrey, NH-based company in the Government sector.

City of Enterprise, Alabama

The City of Enterprise has a strong history of growth and progress. Its diversity of people, occupations, lifestyles and interests come together to produce the community spirit that has been passed down for generations. The residents of Enterprise still enjoy the security of a concerned smaller city, even though it has become larger and more progressive. The people are warm and accepting of all who visit or choose to live in Enterprise. The deep South friendliness combined with the new South progressive attitude make Enterprise a wonderful place to visit, to call home and to raise a family.

City of Medford, Oregon

The name Medford is thought to have come from "the ford by the meadow" or "Meadford" thus commemorating the importance of the fordable part of the Mystic River located just west of present-day Medford Square. The original area of Medford was owned by Mathew Cradock, the first Governor of the Massachusetts colonies. Although Cradock never saw it, he employed men to develop his land into a plantation. After his death, the plantation passed to his heirs and then was sold en masse in 1652 to Edward Collins. The area was designated a "peculiar" which signified that it was private property and not a properly incorporated town. Collins began selling pieces of land to others after 1656. In 1684, Medford was granted the right to raise its own money by the General Court. In 1892, Medford became incorporated as a city.

County of Boulder

Boulder County is home to nearly 300,000 residents and includes some of the most diverse, natural landscapes and sustainable development along the Front Range. From visionary open space, land use and sustainability policies to forward-thinking public services programs, our county government helps foster a vibrant, healthy and active community.

HR Execs on the Move