Fryeburg, Maine Selected To Receive Federal Community Planning Assistance

Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission
will assist Fryeburg in a new EPA initiative
to improve outdoor recreation opportunities

Saco, Maine...Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) announced it will work with the town of Fryeburg, Maine and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a new initiative that aims to revitalize Main Streets in rural communities through outdoor recreation. Fryeburg is one of only ten towns in the country selected to participate in the new program. SMPDC will work closely with the town and EPA consultants to create a plan to improve outdoor recreation opportunities in Fryeburg.

Says SMPDC Executive Director Paul Schumacher, “Creating a plan that encourages outdoor recreation, uses vacant spaces, and creates a more walkable, thriving Main Street is an important step in revitalizing Fryeburg. This recognition and upcoming planning process is an exciting opportunity for the town and we are happy to offer our expertise as Fryeburg is one of 39 member towns in Maine who are part of the SMPDC.”

“We couldn’t be happier to have worked with SMPDC and be selected by the federal government for participation in this program,” said Katie Haley, Fryeburg Town Manager. “Our town is highly motivated to capitalize on bringing people to Fryeburg for recreation and boosting businesses in our lovely town.”

Erin Mayo, Head of School at Fryeburg Academy, says, “The Academy’s Outdoor Learning and Research Center provides experiential learning opportunities and adventure-based programs, with 63 acres adjoining the main campus serving as an outdoor classroom and recreational space. This project aligns with our desire to make Fryeburg a wonderful destination for students, families, residents, and tourists who want to experience all our town has to offer. We are excited to participate in this planning process!”

The Process
A planning team appointed by the EPA will help the ten selected rural communities create an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy in ways that promote sustainable resource management and environmentally friendly community development. The recommendations could include building new trail connections, boosting downtown amenities, connecting nearby hiking-biking trails to downtown, and working to attract recreation-related economic opportunities. The planning process will take place over four to six months, with a two-day facilitated community workshop as the focal point. Participants will work together to identify a vision, goals, and specific actions to realize the locally set goals. The other communities selected for assistance include: Cambridge, New York; Giles County, Virginia; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Gorham, New Hampshire; Grants, New Mexico; Jasper, Alabama; John Day, Oregon; Poultney, Vermont; and Thompson Falls, Montana. Several of the selected communities are in or adjacent to Opportunity Zones, economically-distressed areas that can be designated for preferential tax treatment.

About the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission
Founded in 1964, SMPDC provides technical expertise to 39 municipalities in York, southern Oxford, and Cumberland Counties. SMPDC offers a coordinated effort for economic development and resource management, including environmental remediation, land use, and transportation planning.
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List of 5 news stories.

  • Fryeburg Academy Fall 2023-24 Honors/High Honors Roll Recipients Named

    We are pleased to announce the following students who have earned academic recognition at Fryeburg Academy for the Fall of 2023-24:

    HONORS
    Grade 12: (Honors)
    Charlotte Adamus
    Vittoria Bernardini
    Natalie Berry
    Dom Bond
    Jordin Booker
    Owen Burford
    Tori Butters
    Jilyan Byrne
    Lorenzo Catana Vallemani
    Jonah Densmore
    Vitoria Do Espirito Santo Teixeira
    Elle Dooley
    Austin Dorner
    Deniz Eroglu
    Manu Fandos Martinez
    Aidan Flanigan
    Amber Gagnon
    Mia Grandchamp
    Gal Hanan
    Emily Hoosier
    Noah Jacobs
    Emma Keaten
    David Kim
    Joey Kim
    Kardelen Lacinok
    Helena Landry
    Margherita Lassini
    Leo Lee
    Celine Lee
    Ana Maillett
    Moss Marques
    Caroline Masterman
    Asher McKenney
    Ryan Meade
    Natalia Millan Arenas
    Mina Milosevic
    Tommy Morini
    Tasia Nason
    Rachel Pizzo
    Grace Porcaro
    Abby Pratt
    Ashe Rabideau
    Winter Raymond
    Dustin Rhoda
    Gideon Richard
    Leah Rokes
    Margherita Rossi
    Gunnar Saunders
    Louie Shin
    Lamar Smith
    Hunter Tripp
    Tanner Tripp
    Gabby Udoto
    Logan Walton
    Kara Willette
    Connor Williams
    Mary Wing
    Kevin Zhou
  • Academy Students Earn Silver and Bronze at the National FFA Convention

    From October 31 through November 3, five members of the Academy's FFA Chapter (Future Farmers of America) and faculty member Jennifer Solter Jones attended the National FFA Convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. 
  • FA's Falls Sports Assembly Honors Student-Athletes

    On Thursday, November 16th, Fryeburg Academy celebrated the fall sports season with its annual fall sports awards assembly held in the Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center. The following student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performance during the fall 2023-24 season:
     
  • Joseph R. Manning Installed as the Academy's 55th Head of School

    Fryeburg Academy and the Board of Trustees announce the installation of Joseph R. Manning as the Academy’s 55th head of school. The Installation Ceremony was held on Friday, November 3, 2023, with members of the Fryeburg Academy community, the Board of Trustees, and former head of school Erin P. Mayo in attendance as a guest speaker. Manning steps into this new leadership role during the school’s 232nd year, following a long-tenured and successful career at the Academy spanning twenty years of service. 
  • FA Students Earn Letters of Commendation in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program

    Fryeburg Academy seniors Tyler Bartick and Jiwon Choi have earned Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSC) for their performance on the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Fryeburg Academy

FRYEBURG ACADEMY
745 Main Street
Fryeburg, ME 04037
p. (207) 935-2001      
f.  (207) 935-5013      
admissions@fryeburgacademy.org
Fryeburg Academy is an independent boarding and day school, serving grades 9-12 and postgraduate. We invite you to explore our site and learn how students from around the globe find their place in the world through our exceptional academic, art, and athletic programs.