By Amanda Estes 

Staff Writer

South Portland has hired Westbrook’s Economic and Community Development Director Erik Carson to fill the vacant assistant city manager position.

Carson is enthused about the redevelopment of South Portland’s Knightville-Mill Creek area, as well as working in a community with such a large retail shopping center, the Maine Mall. 

“I’m excited about the opportunity and the position and working with this group of folks and I think South Portland has a lot going for it,” Carson said.

Carson, 53, has served as Westbrook’s economic and community development director for more than four years. South Portland City Manager James Gailey said Carson will also serve as the city’s economic development director and will oversee the city’s share of the Cumberland County Community Development Block Grant or CDBG program. Gailey said Carson could begin work with the newly established advisory economic development committee in May, at the earliest. 

“He brings with him a strong economic development background,” Gailey said on Tuesday. “He is also, in Westbrook, a key member of the administrative staff and has a number of years…under his belt in terms of municipal administrative experience.”

Carson said he is proud to have been a part of redevelopment and renewed activity in Westbrook’s downtown district including the creation of an arts presence.

He said Westbrook also developed a collaborative group of business and community leaders, city councilors and city administrators, who are focused on economic development initiatives.

“We need to do a better job marketing out of state,” Carson said. “It doesn’t do us any good to sort of take businesses from one community to another and move pieces on a chessboard. That doesn’t get us anywhere.”  

Carson’s philosophy toward development aligns with the city’s vision, Gailey said.

“He said during the interview, “It’s not just about bring businesses to your community; it’s about bringing the right business to your community,’” Gailey said. “He’s not out there just bringing in any old building to fit the space.”

Carson will start on March 24 with a “low 70s” salary, Gailey said.