Rockport market may finally get long-awaited expansion, thanks to sewer project
Contributed
Fresh Off The Farm on Route 1 in Rockport.
Fresh Off The Farm, a popular local food market on Route 1 in Rockport, may finally get its long-awaited expansion after waiting more than 10 years for an essential town upgrade.
The market grosses $2 million in sales annually and has been growing every year, Zelma Williams, one of the market’s co-owners, told Mainebiz, but it hasn't been able to expand the building’s footprint at 495 Commercial St. to meet growing demand from customers.
That’s because Fresh Off The Farm relied on an antiquated septic system that up to now prevented expansion. The market has required on the system for its sewer needs since opening in 1987 because the town’s sewer line doesn’t extend to its Route 1 location.
“We’ve been waiting for [sewer extension] for 12 years now,” Williams said. “It’s adequate but it also sits right smack in the middle of where we can do any sort of addition.”
Thankfully for the market, that situation will soon change.
The town of Rockport is planning to spend an estimated $1.1 million in sewer upgrades to connect Fresh Off The Farm and other isolated properties later this year. A construction bond was approved for the project last year. It will come at a cost for local taxpayers, but thanks to a recent federal grant received on behalf of the market, that burden will be $270,000 less.
The grant was among the $910,000 in funds recently awarded to Maine entities by the state Department of Economic and Community Development as part of the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program and its Economic Development Program.
Bill Najpauer, Rockport’s town planner and community development director, told Mainebiz that construction is expected to begin this month, with completion in August. He said he understands the frustration Fresh Off The Farm has experienced in waiting for the sewer extensions, which had been previously held off due to funding issues.
“The sewer system is a godsend for them,” he said.
Williams said it will take some time to draw up plans and work with town officials to move forward with the expansion. But for now, she said, the impending sewer connection means the market won’t have to worry about the septic system’s expensive maintenance costs or the possibility of it unexpectedly shutting down for much longer.
And when that expansion does finally come around, Williams said a capacity to create more jobs and accept more products from local food producers will follow.
“The possibilities right now are dazzling to me,” she said. “Just one little project is going to make all the difference in the world and it’s been in the back burner for so long."
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