POLAND – The Poland Economic Growth Committee on Thursday night heard ideas from residents for increasing economic development.

The committee, with help from consultant John Cleveland, is working on a long-term development plan to bring new businesses and enhance existing ones, especially the village area.

The committee is actively recruiting ideas from the public for what kind of businesses they would like to see here. Some of the suggestions at Thursday’s meeting included: A made-in-Maine store, pharmacy, bank, hardware/automotive store, and a pedestrian shopping area, as well as an outlet for local artists.

The committee also voiced its intent to try to bolster the town’s existing businesses. Ideas that would help are an info/visitor center and a business directory.

Committee members were resolute about setting high standards for the town’s image. Their goal is to keep Poland a robustly “Maine” town by encouraging local business, and keeping a close eye on the look and feel of businesses that develop there.

One concern is the style of building new businesses would be allowed to build. Committee Chairman Chuck Finger explained the committee’s intention to only approve “New England style” buildings for new businesses, to avoid Poland taking on a “cookie-cutter” look.

Poland already has a limit on the size of businesses. Stores in the town can not be more than 30,000 square feet, something many smaller towns in Maine have done to preserve their image, as well as their own local businesses.

The first developer, Dunkin’ Donuts, has even altered its normal design plan to align with the committee’s vision. Normally, the chain allows its stores to choose from six predesigned building styles. None of these styles were in line with the building standards envisioned by the committee, so the developer got a new one approved.

Finger said he thinks that “Dunkin’ Donuts will be a catalyst” and help jump-start the economic development of Poland.