KINGFIELD -- The economic climate in northern Franklin County present and future will be the subject of discussion at an Economic Forum Tuesday, Nov. 18. Greg Dufour, president of Camden National Bank, and Alison Hagerstrom, director of Greater Franklin County Economic Development will be the presenters.

The program will begin at 6:30 at the Kingfield Elementary School. Following presentations there will be opportunity for questions and answers.

Dufour and Hagerstrom will outline their views from their individual and professional perspectives.

There will be no admission charge but those attending will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to the home heating fund sponsored by the Kingfield United Methodist Church. The beneficiaries will be persons in need of financial assistance for home heating during the coming winter. Funds will be administered by one of two county agencies, the United Methodist Economic Ministry in Salem and the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund in Farmington.

The Economic Forum is the first of several to be sponsored by the church. Others will deal with topics of particular interest to businesses and individuals in northern Franklin County. A second is scheduled for December with State Senator Peter Mills discussing electric energy generation and distribution issues including regional relationships.

Dufour will address the issue of economics from the perspective of the bank with some emphasis on the impact of the national economic crisis on both the local bank and the public. Hagerstrom will outline her vision of the future of business in northern Franklin County primarily on the potential for business growth and associated employment opportunities.

Kingfield United Methodist Church has adopted the home heating issue as its target ministry this year. The church recognizes there are many persons who are or will be in need and has focused its fund raising efforts on assisting county agencies in meeting those needs.