Robert J. O’Brien

Robert’s professional background spans public policy, urban planning, and economic development. He has worked in a municipal planning office, consulted on a municipal comprehensive plan, staffed a statewide chapter of the National Main Street Center, and directed community development efforts on broadband, housing, and economic redevelopment in towns that lost an industrial anchor. Robert was most recently a senior economic development manager at a regional economic development district, where he convened federal, state, local, and corporate representatives around the prospective redevelopment of a defunct paper mill.

Robert holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Maine System, and has held elected office three times, once for the school board and twice for separate charter commissions. He currently serves on his city’s historic preservation board, overseeing applications for both commercial and residential construction in sensitive districts. Robert is lobbying to expand the state historic tax credits in Maine to small commercial properties and residences

Real Results

Robert recently joined the Camoin Associates team. These projects were all performed in previous roles.

Housing Studies | Maine’s Forest Opportunity Roadmap (FOR/Maine) | Robert oversaw a team of contractors producing housing studies in seven mill towns around the state of Maine.

Comprehensive Plan | Newcastle, ME | Robert interpreted demographic and economic data to write copy for the town’s comprehensive plan.

Broadband Utility | Katahdin Broadband | Maine | Robert identified and scheduled presenters for collaborative meetings between three towns seeking to establish a locally owned broadband utility in a remote region.

Main Street Charette | Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design | Millinocket, ME | Robert helped the Town of Millinocket win a national competition for design services from a team of consultants for improvements and rehabilitation of an economically depressed main street. He also participated in public events and design development.