Officials of Aroostook Partnership for Progress site moderate growth and significant interest in developing northern Maine over the past year.  According to Walt Elish, APP President and CEO, a key element in the economic vitality of Aroostook County is attributed to the participation of businesses and communities within the region making considerable financial and human investments, adding to the future economic growth and value to the region.

Since the pull out of Loring, growth in northern Maine slowed for a while and a lagging economy directly affected the well-being of the entire region.  The area is fighting back, and yet again the recently announced closures of MBNA and Georgia Pacific, with respective facilities in Presque Isle and Fort Kent and related chip mills in Portage and Houlton, pose devastating threats to the economy and psyche of northern Maine – if it were not for increased economic activity taking place throughout the area.  These closures are of concern because, in each case, the decisions were made by leaders outside of Aroostook County and outside of the State of Maine.  The State’s high cost of doing business was cited by GP as one of the factors contributing to their decision.  These are issues that are familiar to us and need to receive much more serious consideration if Maine, and especially rural Maine, is to experience sustained economic growth.   

Even with these closures, there are still reasons to be optimistic about the economy in northern Maine.  Businesses are expanding throughout the County at a rate that we haven’t seen in recent years.  For example, in southern Aroostook, Louisiana Pacific, Appalachian Engineered Floors, Smith and Wesson, and Tate and Lyle are all investing in expansions at their facilities.  Northern Aroostook is also experiencing economic activity with planned expansions at Autotronics and Fiber Resources.  Central Aroostook has experienced growth at DFAS Limestone, Sitel, S.W. Collins, Acme Monaco, Huber Engineered Woods, and Columbia Forest Products.  There are new businesses openings, too, such as Slopes, the Irish Setter, and Northeast Pallet; in addition, there are major expansions at area hospitals and several banking institutions. 

 Potential new businesses are also expressing interest in the County, as APP has had a number of inquiries concerning the availability of several sites and buildings, including the two former MBNA facilities.  APP’s resort initiative is generating interest from “outside” investors and developers, and, recent Showcase Aroostook events continue to prove to be highly successful ways to introduce representatives from national site location firms to the business advantages of a northern Maine location.  Plus, world class events such as the World Jr. Biathlon Championship and CanAm Sled Dog Race brought national and international attention to the County.     

APP is aware that the County (and most of rural Maine) has issues that need constant attention.  Our unemployment rate continues to be higher than the State and National averages, people are still leaving the County, and some employers are having difficulty finding skilled workers.  These are concerns that APP continues to devote attention to; and, as we look at the big picture, the APP team is optimistic about the future of Aroostook County.  Partners in APP urge all residents to take every opportunity to let others know that the County is a great place to live, work, and do business.  Ask your friends and family to “Come Home to The County” and revisit your hometown.  We have affordable housing, great schools, superior teachers, and a peaceful place to live, away from the hustle and bustle.  This is still a place where parents can raise their children and know they are safe.  And, when there is a problem, communities unite and speak out.  Recently, friends and neighbors have joined together to help stop the out-migration of northern Maine’s talented youth and are taking back communities from drugs and associated transgressions.  Now is a great time to be living and working in the County.  Let’s be bullish on Aroostook County.     

Partners and investors participating in Aroostook Partnership for Progress include:  Northern Maine Development Commission, Maine Public Service Company, Cary Medical Center, Dead River, Katahdin Trust Company, Maine Mutual Group, The Aroostook Medical Center, Aroostook Newspapers, United Insurance Group, F. A. Peabody, Daigle Oil Company, Key Bank, Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development, TD Banknorth, Harry’s Honda/Mitsubishi, Sheridan Corporation, S. W. Collins, LaVallee Federal Credit Union, Cianbro, Dufresne-Henry, Fort Kent Federal Credit Union, and County Federal Credit Union.

The Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) is a public-private partnership dedicated to aggressive and effective results-oriented economic development actions that leverage the financial commitments and talents of the private sector in close partnership with the public sector.  The unique characteristics of Northern Maine create both challenges and opportunities to redefine the purpose and the approach taken toward the practice of economic development.

APP is an idea spawned by the Rural Empowerment Summit held in January 2003 in Presque Isle.  Businesses, organizations, and citizens came together for two days of meetings to help develop a vision of what the future should hold for the region. One recurring theme was for greater public-private cooperation on economic development issues, an idea from which APP was formed.  APP’s role is to enhance Aroostook County’s economy; market the region to the U.S., Canada and Europe; develop the county’s downtowns into attractive and vibrant business centers; and facilitate an effective economic development dialogue for the region. 

For further information about Aroostook Partnership for Progress, contact Walt Elish, PO Box 779, Caribou, ME 04736-0779, Phone: 207-498-8731, Mobile: 207-227-1873, or E-mail welish@APPme.org.