Infrastructure
The Sanford-Springvale Region’s extensive transportation system, combined with our state-of-the-art telecommunications network, means you, your products, and your information will get where it needs to go. Sanford has committed to investing in infrastructure to meet the needs of businesses today and in the future.
Aviation:
Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport is an economic engine that: facilitates air transportation in its many forms, provides emergency services, and serves as a gateway to our community and region. In the brief fact sheet you will note that the airport is: popular (100 aircraft based here); busy (40,000 take-offs and landings each year); ready (two runways, designed for the largest of corporate jets); historic (formed in 1930 to serve the mills – leased by the Navy in 1942); delicious (Pilots Cove Café on-airport restaurant) and fun (free flights for kids several times a year)!
Education:
Construction finished and the $100 million integrated High School and Technical Center opened in the fall of 2018. This is the largest state-funded school construction project in Maine’s history. Another $10 million of funding was approved by the community for the completion of a spectacular Performing Arts Center and athletic field enhancements. Projects are currently underway to improve the additional schools in grades K-8th.
Energy:
NextEra Energy Resources and the City of Sanford partnered together for the largest solar project in Maine. It will be able to power approximately 15,000 homes. This project showcases Sanford’s ability to forge beneficial public-private partnerships that enable key projects to move forward.
Central Maine Power provides electricity in Sanford.
Natural Gas is now an available energy option for many Sanford businesses and residents with Unitil Natural Gas.
Internet:
SanfordNet Fiber is currently the largest municipal broadband network operating in Maine, and the first major loop connecting York County to the Three Ring Binder (a middle mile project completed in 2012 that deployed 1100 miles of fiber through the rest of the state). Plans continue the further expansion of the current commercial network, as well as consideration for expanding services to residential customers soon.
Rail:
Just a few miles down the road, you can catch the Downeaster Passenger Rail Service, operated by AMTRAK, in Wells Maine. When heading south of Wells, the Downeaster stops in Dover, Durham, and Exeter New Hampshire. A little further south, the Amtrack stops in Woburn and Boston Massachusetts. When heading North of Wells, there are stops in Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Freeport, and Brunswick. The rail service is a comfortable and affordable option for those who must commute on a regular basis.
Over 1,400 miles of track comprise Maine’s rail network, which connects to major rail carriers in the United States and Canada, including Canadian Pacific, Canadian National, CSX, and Norfolk Southern rail systems.
Roads:
Road transportation is still the number one mode of transportation in Maine. Although there is a joke, “you can’t get there from here” that is simply not true. In Sanford, Route 109 is the main road for travel, with easy access to Route 1, Maine Turnpike I-95, and Route 202 into New Hampshire.
Sewer:
The Sanford Sewerage District was established in 1947 as a quasi-municipal entity by a Special Act of the Maine Legislature. Facilities have been rebuilt and upgraded more than once to accommodate the ever-improving science of wastewater treatment. At present, 70 miles of gravity and 16 pumping stations that convey wastewater to the treatment plant for sanitation are managed. Sanford’s multi-million-dollar facility is one of the largest in the state. Within a year, a new compost facility will be up and running.
Note on Birding: It may surprise many people to know that the area immediately surrounding the sewerage facilities is the most frequented birding area in York County. Out of the 436 species of birds in Maine, about 230 have been spotted at the “Sanford Lagoons” (on SSD property)! The District enjoys being able to provide a place for both the birds and those who enjoy spotting them.
Water:
The Sanford Water District as a quasi-municipal entity serves Sanford Springvale. The District has historically pumped an average of 2.6 million gallons per day, with a peak production of approximately 3.5 million gallons per day in the Summer. Consumption has dropped in recent years, however, and the average pumpage of the District is now a little under 2 million gallons per day with ample capacity to serve new customers. The District has approximately 6,000 service connections. Nine well sources located in different areas within the community supply the system with groundwater.
As you can see, Sanford is investing in infrastructure. We mean it when we say,
Sanford-Springvale, your future is here.
