News from APP/NMDC

Notes from APP and NMDC

Volume 2, Issue 75

Dec. 6, 2013

In This Issue

Trail Maps

APP Briefs Legislators

Ribbon Cutting

2014-15 snowmobile trail maps are now available

AROOSTOOK COUNTY - Soon Aroostook County will be white with a thick blanket of snow and snowmobilers will hit the trails. To get a better sense of how impressive the trail system is in northern Maine, Aroostook County Tourism (ACT) and the Aroostook Chambers of Commerce recommend picking up the 2014-15 snowmobile trail map hot off the presses.

"The Association of Aroostook Chambers of Commerce are proud to provide printed Northern Maine snowmobile trail maps as a service to the thousands of people who travel to this area to enjoy the more than 2,000 miles of snowmobile trails that are prepared and maintained by local snowmobile clubs," said Theresa Fowler, Executive Director, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.

Maps are available for individuals at hotels, motels, cabins and other businesses throughout northern Maine. They can also be picked up at the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, Limestone Chamber of Commerce, Greater Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, Greater Madawaska Chamber of Commerce, Greater Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce, Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce, Northern Maine Development Commission, Maine Tourist Centers, most town offices and snowmobile clubs.

The snowmobile maps provide snowmobile riders, both from the area and tourists, with an accurate depiction of snowmobile trails. The trails change very little from year to year but new trails have been created since the map was last printed two years ago.

"Snowmobiling provides an enjoyable way to travel throughout northern Maine in the winter season," said Fowler. "The maps highlight accommodations, restaurants, service centers and locations for gas to make the trip more enjoyable."

She added without business support the map would not be printed and she encourages snowmobilers to patronize businesses that supported production of the maps.

Fowler said the maps are a wonderful tool for tourists and residents, but snowmobilers should be aware that routes might change due to the weather, infrastructure damage and logging operations.

Aroostook County has recently been named one of the top five destinations in the east and the nation in recent issues of SnowGoer and American Snowmobiler magazines.

It is estimated snowmobiling in Maine is a $300 million to $350 million business responsible for 23,000 jobs statewide.

Legislators receive update from APP

CARIBOU - Even when the legislature is not in session the job of Maine lawmakers continues. Just this week five Aroostook County representatives joined Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) officials to discuss economic development issues facing the region and the state.

The entire Aroostook County delegation was invited to the Wednesday lunch meeting, but some had scheduling conflicts. In attendance was Rep. Joyce Fitzpatrick of Houlton (Dist. 8), Rep. Robert Saucier of Presque Isle (Dist. 5), Rep. Carol McElwee of Caribou (Dist. 4), Rep. Bernard Ayotte of Caswell (Dist. 3) and Rep. Mike Nadeau of Fort Kent (Dist. 1).

"We wanted the chance to discuss the Mobilize Northern Maine initiative and barriers to growing the economy in northern Maine," said APP President and CEO Bob Dorsey.

Dorsey began his presentation by outlining the sense of urgency in Aroostook County, citing the declining 18-to -44-year-old workforce, high-energy costs, other states offering lower taxes and greater incentives and lack of a statewide economic development strategy.

"These are daunting challenges, but can be overcome if we work together. We are willing to help whenever you need us," Dorsey told the legislators.

During his presentation, Dorsey also called on the Aroostook delegation to work hard on convincing other legislators the need for new industry in Aroostook County like mining, which could potentially bring hundreds of new jobs to the region.

Legislators also received an overview of the Mobilize Northern Maine asset-based planning initiative. Diversified agriculture, forestry, manufacturing and renewable energy have been identified as sectors which should help the economy grow if cultivated.

The objective in agriculture is to increase the utilization and output of Aroostook's available acreage. In forestry, the goal is to grow value added processing and improve the image of the logging industry. Manufacturing is the fastest growing segment of the Aroostook economy and efforts to grow the renewable energy economy of Aroostook continues.

Before concluding his presentation, Dorsey had a call to action including: advocate for a long range state economic plan; mandate economic analysis before considering major bills; vote down bills that hurt Maine businesses or kill job opportunities; and ensure prudent mining rules are passed.

"The issues addressed in this presentation highlight very sobering, real and urgent problems facing Maine, but particularly Aroostook County," said Dana Saucier, a forestry expert and member of the Mobilize Northern Maine goal setting team. "Even more serious, is that several of these matters appear to be growing worse with time at a rate we can no longer ignore. Not too late, but truly time for our Aroostook legislative delegation, as a block, to step forward, show leadership and help address these matters squarely regardless of political party affiliation. This is about turning the tide on several of these problems by working together to strengthen the economic picture of Aroostook County and Maine."

The legislators discussed plans to have Aroostook County delegation caucus regularly to discuss issues of importance going forward.

KeyBank ribbon cutting at new Presque Isle branch

KeyBank this week held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new Presque Isle branch at 774 Main Street in Presque Isle. The new branch, which features two drive-up teller lanes, a drive-up ATM, four teller stations, five offices, safe deposit vault and a conference room, replaces the bank's former branches at 187 State Street and 1 North Street in Presque Isle and 131 Main Street in Ashland. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by KeyBank staff, KeyBank clients and community and civic leaders, including Aroostook Partnership for Progress President Robert Dorsey. Joining in for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, from left, were Dorsey; Steve Gagnon, Business Banking market leader; Tanya LaPointe, branch manager; Sterling Kozloski, District President; and Gary Chavoustie, regional retail sales leader.

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