6.a SWOT analysis from 02 11 19 meetingEDA - SWOT ANALYSIS
Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat
Agriculture
open spaces, diversity of
businesses, small businesses,
core retail businesses
few large businesses, no
cooperation or marketing
farm tours, farm to table,
farmers market,
consolidated sales /
marketing, farm stays,
cooperative
farmers, market application,
farmers market hours ,
negative environmental
impacts
Available Land large parcels available
wetlands, zoning restrictions,
lot sizes, limited commercial
/ industrial, geographic
location, distributed
population, lack of
absorption for vacant spaces
rezoning, lot sizes, sprawl - increased demand
for housing
Businesses in Scandia
mainly loyal businesses, local
ownership, # of home based
businesses , façade
improvement program, open
to business program
limited # of locations,
location of commercial
zoning districts, lack of
broadband for home based,
size of city, proximity of
houses to businesses, no
reason to stop
# of home based, travelers &
commuters, seasonal
population, WOB visitors,
activities, tie to school
activities, lac of cohesiveness
of business district
limited land for expansion,
lack of density to support
small businesses
Community Characteristics
Community Traits heritage, affluent, school,
Lions & community groups
aging population, lack of
younger families, lack of
affordable housing
life cycle housing losing identity with heritage
Geographic Location river, dark skies, commuter
traffic and seasonal traffic limited public access to river 2 state highways
EDA - SWOT ANALYSIS
Community Attitude keep rural, no change, no change
Economic Development Resources
Marketing &
Messaging
county CDA, business
breakfasts, lions &
community groups
limited resources
community groups, business
breakfasts, co-marketing of
local businesses
lack of financial support for
small businesses
Education Resources elementary school k-6 3 school districts, cost of
transportation
youth & adult events,
cultural education, WOB,
Marine Folk School
building consolidation,
school funding
Infrastructure
Municipal community center limited, park facilities,
limited park use
Transportation 2 state highways, county
highways old road bases seasonal travelers, bound
aggregate
Utilities
limited sewer, gas service
not available in all locations,
no strengths
study for community septic
system, community water
system
individual septic systems on
water supply, aging septic
systems, increased
regulation, privately owned
water and community septic
systems
Communication streaming public meetings,
use of social media internet, cell service spotty FTTP project, improve
facilities for livestreaming
lack of incentive for private
investment
EDA - SWOT ANALYSIS
Natural Resources
lake, rivers, streams,
diversity of species, WOB, Big
Marine Park reserve, 2 State
Natural areas, boat landings
lack of access / connection to
river, lack of views of river,
limited access off highways
leverage for economic
benefit
over use, conflicting uses,
invasive species,
environmental impacts of
agriculture
Tourism & Leisure
museums, WOB, boat
landings, Park Reserve,
tourism study, core
businesses
not concentrated or
connected, limited lodging,
postal addresses in Marine
leverage assets, gateway
trail, connection to WOB,
County bike trail, b&b, farm
stay, vrbo, tours
increased enforcement,
traffic
Workforce
lack of opportunity, lack of
next generation, workers are
commuting, high cost of
housing
Aging Population discretionary income, time,
availability as resource
aging population, lack of
housing, volunteerism
decreasing
allow to age in community,
services to aging community,
community service
opportunities, organization
of opportunities
leaving community