OAKLAND, Maine – The Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA) proudly announces the hiring of Kristine Logan as its new Executive Director. In this role, Logan will lead the continued development and strategic growth of FirstPark, the region’s premier 285-acre business park, while working collaboratively with member communities to advance economic opportunities across Central Maine.

Logan brings more than 20 years of experience in economic and community development, workforce strategy, and large-scale redevelopment initiatives. She most recently served as Executive Director of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) leading the transformation of the former Naval Air Station Brunswick, helping guide one of Maine’s most significant base-redevelopment projects into a thriving center of business, innovation, and job creation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kristine to the Kennebec Regional Development Authority,” said Michelle Flewelling, President of the KRDA Executive Board. “Her proven track record in complex redevelopment, combined with her deep understanding of Maine’s economy, makes her the ideal leader to drive FirstPark’s next phase of growth and create new job opportunities while strengthening partnerships with our surrounding communities.”

As Executive Director, Logan will oversee business attraction, investor relations, infrastructure planning, and long-term development strategies for FirstPark. She will also work closely with municipal partners, state agencies, and private-sector stakeholders to promote sustainable economic impact throughout the region.

“I am honored to join KRDA at such an exciting time for FirstPark and for Central Maine,” said Logan. “FirstPark has tremendous potential, and I look forward to working with the Board, our member communities, and regional partners to build on the park’s strong foundation and attract new opportunities that support jobs and investment.”

FirstPark, located in Oakland, Maine, is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T-Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. With available pre-permitted sites ranging in size from 5 to 24 acres and a location in a foreign trade zone along the I-95 corridor between Quebec City to the north and Portland, Boston and New York to the south, FirstPark remains one of the region’s most important economic assets.

About the Kennebec Regional Development Authority:

The Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA) is a joint development authority representing communities across Central Maine. KRDA oversees the development and management of FirstPark, a 285-acre business park designed to attract employers, stimulate investment, and support long-term regional economic growth.

OAKLAND, Maine – Jim Dinkle, executive director of FirstPark, retired on July 24 after nearly eight years with the Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA). Dinkle brought to the role more than three decades of experience in economic development and public service from around the country. Since joining FirstPark in November 2017, Dinkle led the business park through a period of steady growth and progress. Under his leadership, seven lots in the Oakland business park have been sold.

Dinkle prioritized strengthening FirstPark’s public presence and marketing efforts through the implementation of a strategic marketing and public relations plan. He has been a dedicated community advocate, engaging with local businesses, meeting with international leaders and representing FirstPark at key events across the region.

Michelle Flewelling, president of the KRDA, praised Dinkle’s leadership and dedication. “Jim has been a passionate advocate for FirstPark and the Kennebec region,” said Flewelling. “His leadership has laid a strong foundation for the park’s future, and we are deeply appreciative of his years of service, vision and commitment to our communities.”

“I’ve been involved with FirstPark since its inception more than 25 years ago, and Jim has been, by far, the best executive director we’ve had,” said Mike Roy, past immediate KRDA president. “He quickly established himself as a leader in the region’s economic development community and earned the trust of prospects through his prompt and dependable follow-through. Jim excels at building relationships, a cornerstone of successful economic development. Under his leadership, FirstPark entered a period of significant growth, with more activity and interest than in the years before his arrival. We are grateful for everything Jim has done for FirstPark and he will be deeply missed.”

“We were fortunate to have Jim join FirstPark at a time when his talent and depth of experience were exactly what we needed to drive FirstPark’s success,” said KRDA executive board member Peter Mills. “Jim came to us with vast experience in economic development, quickly making him our top candidate for the executive director position. Jim joined at a critical point, and under his leadership, the park has been very productive in expanding and bringing in new tenants. We have been lucky to benefit from Jim’s talent and knowledge. It will be very difficult to find someone else of his caliber to follow in his footsteps.”

“Since meeting Jim through Greenlight Maine, he has become both a mentor and a friend,” said Jacob Curtis, a season eight contestant on Greenlight Maine’s College Edition and current MSO analyst at InterMed. “He is someone who encourages me, asks thoughtful questions and shares valuable insights from his decades of experience. I know many people in my generation can feel intimidated talking with someone so accomplished, but Jim is anything but intimidating. He’s warm, caring and genuinely invested in the success of young entrepreneurs and in the well-being of the community. His passion for lifting others up is a true reflection of his character. Jim has made a lasting impact, and his legacy of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire.”

The KRDA Board will announce succession plans in the coming weeks.

About FirstPark

FirstPark is a 285-acre business park community in Oakland, Maine. Managed by Kennebec Regional Development Authority and supported by more than 20 surrounding communities, the business park is in the central part of the state along the I-95 corridor between Portland, Boston and New York to the south and Québec City to the north. FirstPark is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T-Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. Available sites range in size from five to 24 acres, and the business park is in a foreign-trade zone.

As today’s businesses adapt and evolve, their space needs to change with the times, and FirstPark is on the cutting edge of innovation. The park’s updated permittable uses reflect the future of space usage and accommodates a wide range of industries from flex spaces, to light industrial offerings to technology, life sciences, physical therapy, general medicine, biotech, and medical marijuana research and cultivation. FirstPark — with Boulos as a strategic partner — has a solution for companies of all kinds. Working in unison, they go above and beyond for interested business owners and investors looking to buy and build commercial spaces, whether it means meeting buyers on-site, introducing and touring them through the park, investing in infrastructure, steering them through the building process or identifying professional vendors for utility access.

FirstPark is one of the most accessible business parks in Maine. It is within walking distance to the I-95 corridor and in close proximity to various retail amenities. The park’s owners are known to meet in-person with prospective buyers on a regular basis, understanding exactly what goes into successful initiatives, such as the T-Mobile project last year. For business owners, FirstPark offers pre-permitted lots that are shovel-ready and prepared for expedited building, taking a burden off the shoulders of those looking to buy and build quickly.

“Coming off a successful 2023, the sky is the limit for the FirstPark team,” said Jim Dinkle, executive director at FirstPark. “We have one of the most attractive, accessible business park locations in the entire state of Maine, and it is ready for buyers and builders of all kinds. Our team cannot wait to work with all sorts of business owners in the new year, reaching even greater heights together.”

“There are a great mix of business’s already in the park and the remaining lots cater to a wide range of building sizes,” said Cameron Foster, broker at The Boulos Company. “In this cost heavy and labor light construction environment, the permits lessen the cost and time for business owners to build, which can be critical for a business’s facility strategy.

About FirstPark

FirstPark is a 285-acre business park community in Oakland, Maine. Managed by Kennebec Regional Development Authority and supported by more than 20 surrounding communities, the business park is in the central part of the state along the I-95 corridor between Portland, Boston and New York to the south and Québec City to the north. FirstPark is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T-Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. Available sites range in size from five to 24 acres, and the business park is in a foreign-trade zone.

Founded in 2012, Maine Technology Group provides I.T. support to businesses across the state, building partnerships through service, security and solutions. As a managed service provider, the company focuses on keeping its clients’ systems up to date and fixing any issues that do arise quickly through remote I.T. sessions or in-person visits. Led by President Jon Perkins, who owns the company, Maine Technology Group employs 16 workers and services over 80 clients from Kennebunk to Presque Isle.

Perkins is now moving his entire team to Oakland, building on the momentum that FirstPark has experienced early in its 25th anniversary year. Maine Technology Group was attracted to FirstPark by its close proximity to the interstate highway, the availability of high-speed internet services and a stable power grid. With a larger office space now at his disposal, Perkins expects robust growth for Maine Technology Group in 2023, as he plans to hire three new employees in Oakland while opening satellite offices in Bangor and Brunswick in the coming months.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to have found such a nice building in FirstPark, with enough existing infrastructure that I can focus on the changes needed inside the building,” said Perkins. “With our new location, Maine Technology Group is positioned to add an additional three employees in Oakland. This will serve as the company headquarters, as we add satellite offices in Bangor and Brunswick soon.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Maine Technology Group to the FirstPark family,” said Jim Dinkle, executive director of FirstPark. “Given our recent growth, I’m confident that 2023 will be a year of unprecedented economic prosperity in our neck of the woods, as successful companies like Maine Technology Group continue to promote the Maine values of entrepreneurship and innovation.”

About FirstPark

FirstPark is a 285-acre business park community in Oakland, Maine. Managed by Kennebec Regional Development Authority and supported by more than 20 surrounding communities, the business park is in the central part of the state along the I-95 corridor between Portland, Boston and New York to the south and Québec City to the north. FirstPark is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T-Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. Available sites range in size from five to 24 acres, and the business park is in a foreign-trade zone.

In late November, FirstPark officially welcomed Meyer Tool, an Ohio-based company that has served the aerospace and power generation industries since 1951. The manufacturer, headquartered in Cincinnati, will take over lots two and three on Technology Drive. Earlier this year, FirstPark also filled up lots 19 through 22, bringing Minnesota-based Novel Energy Solutions to the business park.

“We are proud of the momentum FirstPark has developed throughout 2022 and look forward to the continued enthusiasm going into 2023. The increased jobs from new and existing business in the park benefit the surrounding communities, making central Maine a great place to live and work,” said KRDA President Michelle Flewelling.

At the same time, re-sales have remained strong at FirstPark. The building at 15 Evergreen Drive – formerly owned by Dr. Diane Gable – closed with Maine Technology Group in late October for $400,000. At 25 FirstPark Drive, MaineGeneral has signed a long-term lease for the building’s lower level to become the new home of Oakland Family Medicine, which is moving from downtown Oakland in the spring of 2023.

Job creation is similarly robust, with FirstPark companies adding new career opportunities this year and providing Oakland residents with newfound financial security. T-Mobile – a staple at FirstPark – now plans to add 100 new jobs by March of 2023, taking that job creation to another level. In January, Dr. Anna O’Keefe’s new dental practice opened at 93 FirstPark Drive in a new building with state-of-the-art equipment. Dr. O’Keefe and her husband, Brendan O’Keefe, are Colby College graduates and have both established businesses in the area.

“Our new building in FirstPark has made the dental practice easier for patients to find us and has improved accessibility for some of our elderly patients and those with wheelchairs. We have also been able to hire a new associate dentist and will be accepting new patients very soon for the first time in seven years,” said Brendan O’Keefe, business manager at Anna O’Keefe, D.M.D., P.A.

“The FirstPark team couldn’t be more excited about our momentum in 2022, and we look forward to building on it for our 25th anniversary,” said Jim Dinkle, executive director at FirstPark. “In recent months, we have welcomed new companies and brought new jobs to the Oakland community, reaffirming the innovative spirit of Maine. Because of our efforts over the last few decades, the local community is now more business-friendly, greener, and an all-around better place to live, work, and play.”

About FirstPark

In an attempt to cultivate relationships with foreign countries like South Korea, Dinkle expressed his intention to specifically discuss the idea of new technology companies relocating to FirstPark. Employers in the biological science and life science sectors represent a top priority for the business park in the coming years. Ideally positioned for employers large and small, FirstPark is situated on Oakland’s sewer system, offers fiber-optic cable, and even lies in a foreign-trade zone.

“It was an honor to be invited to attend this celebration of National Foundation Day and celebrate the deep relationship between the United States and South Korea,” said Dinkle. “Our connections with consulates like South Korea are important in raising the profile of Maine and FirstPark specifically as a desirable location for foreign countries on U.S. soil. Having Nancy Marshall there with me as our PR representative helped enable more meaningful conversations with decision-makers and influencers alike.”

“It was a great pleasure to host Jim Dinkle and Nancy Marshall at our celebration of Korean National Foundation Day in Boston,” said Ki-Jun. “Our focus at the Consulate is to engender positive relationships with all of the New England states and we were delighted to have a delegation from the State of Maine for our gathering at Boston University this week.”

About FirstPark

“We are very excited to be located within FirstPark because it is an ideal location to expand our presence in Maine. We have been pleased with the warm reception from FirstPark’s executive director and look forward to installing over 6000 solar panels to help provide clean energy to the park and the local community,” said Oakland FirstPark Solar LLC principal, Christian Loranger.

This power will be available to residential subscribers and small local businesses, producing enough energy to power over 200 Maine households. Construction is anticipated to begin in Q2 2023 to install approximately 6154 panels and is expected to reach completion in Q3 2023. The lots sold for $499,500.

About FirstPark

The new sign that has been in the process for a year is officially in place. The sign welcomes and encourages passersby to visit the FirstPark website where visitors can learn more about what the park has to offer. Businesses in the park will also be using the sign to share updates, events and promotions. FirstPark hopes the new digital signage will increase business through exposure to customers and potential employees driving by.

“We are very excited to have the new sign at the entrance of FirstPark,” said Jim Dinkle, executive director at FirstPark. “Since the sign has been installed, I have been blown away with the number of compliments we have received. There is a lot of traffic that passes the sign on Kennedy Memorial Drive so we hope the new, digital sign will be beneficial for the businesses in the park to attract new customers or draw in new employees.”

FirstPark thanks Northern Signs, a family-owned business located in Fairfield, Maine, for not only designing and building the new signage, but also storing the sign until it could be installed. FirstPark also thanks Perry Electric, an Oakland-based electrical contractor focusing on commercial and design build projects, for wiring and installing the conduit to the sign.

About FirstPark

FirstPark is a 285‐acre business park community in Oakland, Maine.
Managed by Kennebec Regional Development Authority and supported by more than 20
surrounding communities, the business park is in the central part of the state along the I‐95 corridor between Portland, Boston and New York to the south and Quebec City to the north. FirstPark is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T‐Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. Available sites range in size from five to 24 acres, and the business park is in a Foreign Trade Zone.

“Our goal is to provide the best dentistry and the best service to each patient. We have outgrown our current location in Waterville, so when the opportunity came up to build a state-of-the-art facility for our staff and patients inside FirstPark, we jumped at the chance. FirstPark was great to work with and had the perfect pre-permitted site that will be a great location for us. We were able to design and build our own facility that will be easy to access off I-95. We know relocating to FirstPark will help us provide better more modern care to our patients and start accepting new patients again,” said Brendan O’Keefe, business manager for Anna O’Keefe.

Anna O’Keefe and Brendan O’Keefe graduated from Colby College and the couple, along with Dr. John Poirier, plan to use the new facility to grow the business and create more jobs. By September, the O’Keefe’s plan to hire more staff, including another doctor, additional front office staff and a hygienist.

Ouellet Construction will be using the newest HVAC equipment available that will allow additional air changes per hour in the building and the best filtration on any recirculated air. Anna O’Keefe has also worked with Design Ergonomics, A.E. Hodsdon Engineering and Androscoggin Bank to create the plans and financing for the new facility.

The property is the first new construction inside the park in 2021. In 2020, the park experienced the most commercial real estate sales since the business park opened in 1999.

“Coming out of the pandemic, we have seen a lot of interest from businesses in Maine and across the country. We continue to see more interest in the park because of our location and easy and fast approval process. Each time a new business locates to FirstPark, it also benefits the 24 communities by creating revenue for those cities and towns to use and invest back into their communities,” said Jim Dinkle, executive director of FirstPark.

In 2020, FirstPark made the final bond payment to the Maine Municipal Bond Bank for the development of the business park in 1999. The historic payment marked the end of the 20-year loan initiated when 24 Maine municipalities collaborated on building the park as a future source of tax revenue.

The addition of O’Keefe to FirstPark adds to the revenue for the business park, which is allocated to the communities that support FirstPark. The cities and towns include: Anson, Benton, Canaan, China, Clinton, Cornville, Fairfield, Farmingdale, Gardiner, Hartland, Manchester, Norridgewock, Oakland, Palmyra, Pittsfield, Readfield, Rome, Sidney, Smithfield, Solon, Starks, St. Albans, Waterville and Winslow.

In 2021, the park is expected to make more investments, including road construction, additional energy options and potential residential living options within the large 285-acre campus.

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About FirstPark:
FirstPark (www.firstpark.com) is a 285‐acre business park community in Oakland, Maine.
Managed by Kennebec Regional Development Authority and supported by more than 20
surrounding communities, the business park is in the central part of the state along the I‐95 corridor between Portland, Boston and New York to the south and Quebec City to the north. FirstPark is home to 16 businesses including anchor tenant T‐Mobile, a call center that employs more than 800 people. Available sites range in size from five to 24 acres, and the business park is in a Foreign Trade Zone.

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