And of course you're right, we have higher appraised properties and can set a lower mill rate. But look at this chart up and down the Maine coast, many places are lower than Rockport and Camden(Camden is a little higher than Rockport-seperate towns) in darker shades. Notice Rockland, a red spot, is all alone?

The questions that Rockland councilmen and planners may want to ask is, how do we get ourselves into a more similar situation as the rest of the 'gold coast' as it is referred.

Jobs are scarce around here but in Rockport, they're higher paying-investment - health care(health care specialists in and outside of our hospital)-construction and maintenance-etc.

Rockland has more potential to attract industry with better jobs(a tough task for any place!) than Camden or Rockport simply because of lower start up costs(primarily realestate).

But why would they choose Rockland? For it's beauty and quality of life(it's a city on the water). That's where I would invest.

That is so competitive a market(attracting industry), but not to invest is futile. However in the short term if the taxpayer want's relief, the leaders have to listen.

http://www.pressherald.com/interactive/map-maines-property-tax-rates/