Cory King has always been a people person. That was quite evident as soon as he took on the role of executive director at the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber in May. Whether it’s a town council meeting or a barbecue on the Brunswick Mall, King is there ready to help the community be the best it can be.

“One of the things about this community is I’ve had yet to have anyone say to me ‘you’re not from around here, so you don’t get it,’” said King, who is the former executive director of the Waterville Chamber. “It’s so refreshing. People here have been so open.”

King has set about aligning himself with the Midcoast community and is working to infuse existing businesses with new-found vigor, as well as bring new business to the area. He has planned multiple events, including the recent night golfing event, Shot In the Dark Glowball Spectacular.

“The board is eager to work,” said King. “It’s the type of thing (the golf event, for example) normally after six months on the job you wouldn’t have the opportunity to do because you’re still building bridges.”

Another program King and the chamber will be kicking off this year is what he calls a “member video idea.”

“I want to go around and do 90-second videos of different businesses,” King said. “But instead of doing businesses profiles, I want to do them as a ‘how-to.’

“Like if you go to a restaurant and the bartender can show you how to make the perfect dirty martini. It still highlights the business, but it’s something that’s a little more shareable than ‘come eat our food, we’re great,’” King continued. “Or for hotels, I’m thinking the top three tips for traveling with kids or daily excursions you can take from the hotel. From those that I’ve initially talked to about the idea, people are loving it.”

King said filming will start this month, with the first videos surfacing on YouTube around the new year.

“I think there’s a number of unique ways to do it,” King said. “One of the things I’ve learned from my time in chambers is that chambers need to be constantly reminding businesses of what they get with their membership. These days people are more aware than ever of where their money is going.”

King said that generally business seems to be on the rise in the Brunswick area, especially in Cook’s Corner, which was hit hard when Brunswick Naval Air Station closed in 2011.

“Businesspeople are saying Cook’s Corner is going to see the most growth in the entire Midcoast region in the next 18 months,” King said.

One issue that is stalling business growth, King said, is the lack of employees.

“There is a gap there,” he said. “It might be that there aren’t enough people in the area to fill that gap, or they’re here but they just don’t have the right qualifications.

“I think it’s going to take some schools and businesses in the area coming together to help teach these people trade-specific skills,” he added. “I have a hope that someday we’ll be able to take a more aggressive role in channeling younger education toward specific jobs, but that’s a ways down the road.”

For now, King will continue to put himself out into the Midcoast community and do what he knows best: make friends and be there for others.

“One of the things I try to tell everyone is if there’s something you think the chamber should be involved in, just ask,” King said. “Drop me an email. We want to know what we can do for local businesses. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been able to get out and meet so many people, and there are so many more to meet. I’m happy that I’ve been accepted by this community for being honest and willing to help.”

bgoodridge@timesrecord.com