Business interests in Aroostook County will have the ear of lawmakers as the annual Aroostook Day at the Legislature has been scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 30.

   The event is organized by LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD), a key partner in the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP).

   "We sponsor Aroostook Day as a way for Aroostook businesspeople and state delegates to co-mingle and discuss topics of importance to each other and for the businesses to give guidance to its representatives on important issues of the day," said Jon McLaughlin, LEAD president. "In turn, the delegation lets the businesses know what is needed in the form of testimony, written documentation, etc. to help them in their various committee roles."

   McLaughlin said LEAD likes to maintain a very informal atmosphere. The event begins with a social hour, followed by a meal and then more structured presentations.

   "Once the meeting is over, delegates are usually asked to give a brief update to the attendees of what is happening with them and issues that they see happening or coming up," he said. "The next day we try to hold a meeting with officials on a subject that LEAD has an interest, in the past it has been transportation related but this year it most likely will be how things are progressing with the new laws governing mining for the Bald Mountain project."

   Judy Dinsmore of Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) is responsible for the logistics of the event and is instrumental for its success each year.

   "We invite LEAD and APP members, NMDC Executive Board, Aroostook County legislators and legislative leadership," said Dinsmore.

   APP President Bob Dorsey attended Aroostook Day at the Legislature last year for first time.

   "This is a great venue to discuss economic development issues, opportunities, and the way we in the Partnership can work with our legislative officials to help promote job opportunities and economic growth in Aroostook County," Dorsey explained. "This year we will focus on the 2017 Mobilize Northern Maine Goals, the trends we see, and the urgent need to grow our 18- to 44-year-old workforce here in the County if we are to meet the job projection growth we envision."

   Anyone who would like more information or to attend Aroostook Day at the Legislature is urged to contact Dinsmore by email at jdinsmore@nmdc.org or by phone at (207) 498-8736.

   FORT KENT - An Allagash native has been hired as a student intern for Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and Aroostook Partnership for Progress.

   Chace Jackson will serve as a part time special project coordinator. 

Chace Jackson

   "Chace will be engaged in a variety of economic and workforce initiatives and other special projects, and we are looking forward to having him

here at NMDC," said Ryan Pelletier, director of economic and workforce development.

   Jackson will also assist clients and NMDC members.

   He is currently a student at the University of Maine Fort Kent in the Public Safety Administration program. He recently moved back to The County after living in the Portland area where he served as a regional field director for the Maine Senate Democrats.

   "I am very excited about this opportunity and looking forward to getting to work," said Jackson.

   He will work primarily out of NMDC's Fort Kent office.