The Skowhegan River Park will bring prosperity to our region. It will revitalize the downtown, and tangentially all of Skowhegan and the region, by spurring innovation and entrepreneurship, creating jobs, and stimulating additional infrastructure improvements. It will diversify our economy, provide additional stability for the municipality’s tax base, and increase property values.

Housing & Social Capital Impacts

The 2021 Skowhegan Housing Assessment & Whitewater Park Case Study, conducted by Levine Planning Strategies, examined both the current Skowhegan housing marketing and the housing market in Salida, Co., a rural town with a river park. Data shows the number of housing units has grown significantly since Salida's park opened in 2000.

Research indicates the following for Skowhegan:

• A downtown whitewater park is likely to increase social capital in downtown Skowhegan, resulting in direct and indirect benefits to the businesses and property owners in the area; 
• Demand and cost of housing in downtown Skowhegan is likely to increase after the river park opens; 
• Projections (based on current housing market and in anticipation of the river park) indicate there will be a shortage of approximately 650 studios, one-bed room and two-bedroom units in 2025;
• Thought should be given as to how to minimize dis placement of existing residents in the Skowhegan CDP.

“Creation of the river park and associated amenities downtown will likely have positive impacts not just on the economy of the region, but also on the social capital, livability, and attractiveness of downtown Skowhegan. The Town and Main Street Skowhegan should make sure the project maximizes its connections and benefits to downtown.” -Jeff Levine, Levine Planning Strategies

Economic Impacts

According to our 2016 Run of River Economic Impact Study, we can expect the following economic benefits: 

The Skowhegan River Park will draw paddlers, sightseers, recreation enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and families. These visitors will increase revenues of locally owned businesses, and they’ll create a need for new restaurants, lodging facilities, event venues, retail shops, and sporting goods merchants.

Increased visitation to the region will also advance the sale of locally sourced food, propel development of cultural experiences, and strengthen the burgeoning arts community.

In addition to attracting visitors, the river park will help attract new residents and entrepreneurs who want to live in a community that values health, wellness, outdoor physical activity, and natural resources—and those people will bring with them new businesses, jobs, and capital, creating even more wealth and opportunities.

Next benefit: Outdoor Recreation