Yarmouth hires new economic development director
Yarmouth has hired Scott M. LaFlamme as its new economic development director.
LaFlamme comes to Yarmouth from Bath, where he served as the city’s director of economic development for the past three years. He starts today and replaces Denise Clavette, who left in July to become the assistant city manager in Auburn.
“The Town of Yarmouth is pleased to welcome Scott to his new position as director of economic development,” said Pat Thompson, chairwoman of the Yarmouth Town Council. “Scott's enthusiasm and experience will bring a new dimension to our economic development program.” LaFlamme grew up in Bradley, and received bachelor’s and master’s of public administration degrees from the University of Maine in Orono. He worked as a grant specialist at the Eastern Maine Development Corporation in Bangor and served as town manager for Turner for two years. He had been with the city of Bath since 2014.
“Thanks to Denise Clavette, the Town of Yarmouth has made a great start with its economic development program, providing an excellent base for Scott to move us to the next level,” said Peter L. Haynes, chairman of Yarmouth’s Economic Development Committee.
Building on Clavette's successes
LaFlamme said he is looking forward to collaborating with Town Council and local businesses, organizations and volunteers to continue the economic development work undertaken by Clavette, the town’s first economic development director, and the Economic Development Advisory Board over the last three years.
During Clavette’s tenure, Yarmouth formed the advisory board to help facilitate capital investment, job creation, help local businesses expand and attract new businesses. During that time, Tyler Technologies Inc. (NYSE: TYL) and Patriot Insurance launched major expansions, and Five County Credit Union purchased property to build a new branch on Route 1.
Last year, the town established three Tax Increment Financing districts in downtown and along Route 1, which are expected to generate more than $30 million in tax revenue over the next 30 years, all of which will stay in Yarmouth.
“From its picturesque Main Street to its robust commercial base, sparkling coastline and top-ranked schools, Yarmouth has some incredible assets that are truly unique,” said LaFlamme, who lives in Lewiston with his wife and daughter. “There are so many exciting developments that are now underway, and there is tremendous potential for innovative and sustainable projects. I’m excited to build on the great work that’s already been done, and help Yarmouth thrive.”
LaFlamme's accomplishments in Bath
During his tenure in Bath, LaFlamme spearheaded a variety of community and economic engagement initiatives, including the development of two new hotels and the Huse School Apartments, a 59-unit mixed-income housing development on the site of the former John E.L. Huse Memorial School, which opened in July, developed by The Szanton Co., of Portland.
In his post, he oversaw the city’s EPA Brownfields inventory and cleanup activities, Community Development Block Grant program, and Bath’s TIF District. He also successfully managed the sale of three municipally-owned properties, which are expected to result in a $30 million in private development.
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