PRESQUE ISLE — James D. Irving, president of J.D. Irving, Limited, will speak about rail service in Aroostook County at the joint annual meeting of LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development and Aroostook Partnership for Progress. The program will also feature videotaped remarks by Sen. Susan M. Collins, an update on Mobilize Northern Maine and recognition of LEAD’s 2011 Business Hall of Fame honorees.
“This summer, we look forward to revitalizing the 233-mile line between Madawaska and Millinocket, creating an estimated 30 new jobs,” said Irving, whose Irving railway group, Eastern Maine Railway, was selected to manage and maintain the northern rail line recently purchased by the state of Maine from Montreal, Maine & Atlantic.
Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Eastern Canada and the United States. The company has facilities in six communities around Maine — subsidiaries that operate in a mix of industries including forestry and logging, manufacturing, rail transportation, and agriculture supplies and services. Irving Woodlands has been a part of forestry operations in Aroostook County for over 60 years. The company employs approximately 400 people and an additional 80 woodlands contractors in Maine. The company is investing in the state with over $27.4 million in capital expenditures across all subsidiaries from 2005-2009 and over $60 million in annual local purchases of Maine goods and services.
Irving is actively involved in leading the company’s efforts in wild Atlantic salmon conservation and research as well as education partnerships with middle, secondary and post-secondary schools. The company has won several national education awards for its leadership in developing business-education initiatives for young people.
Irving lives in Saint John, New Brunswick, with his wife, Lynn. They have four children.
The public is invited to attend the $8 breakfast meeting on Friday, June 10, 2011, from 7:30 to 10 a.m., at Edmunds Conference Center, Northern Maine Community College. RSVP Judy Dinsmore at jdinsmore@nmdc.org or call 498-8736 of 899-427-8736.
