Connors speaks at annual Chamber breakfast
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Dana Connors, president, Maine State Chamber, was the guest speaker at the annual Maine Chamber breakfast, held earlier this month at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Campus Center and hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
DANA CONNORS, president of the Maine State Chamber, was the guest speaker at the annual Chamber Breakfast, held at UMPI on July 10. Connors stressed the importance of joining voices and making legislators aware of concerns impacting local businesses. 
Connors said his visit was partly to “gather insight” and also to “recognize the Chamber family.”
“We’re all part of the same family — that family voice is more productive than any single one of us,” said Connors, noting the importance of having chambers of commerce across the state “reach out and have their voices speak out on legislation” affecting their respective communities.
He said while membership and marketing are important, “the focus still remains the state of Maine.”
Connors discussed his participation in a “fly-in” that took place recently in D.C. and how it offered elected officials from other states an opportunity to have a “taste of the state,” with many Maine products featured.
“I never realized how many products originate in Maine,” he said.
He said despite the “divisiveness this (legislative) session,” it was important for the Chamber to “stay focused on the policy side for business.”
“We walked away with an energy policy — one of the flagship issues, and addressed workforce development, which was a priority issue,” Connors said.
Connors said in the past two years, remarkable things have happened for Maine businesses.
“Important advancements have been made with regard to regulations. Work comp issues have been addressed, as have income taxes. Tremendous advancements have been made,” Connors said, noting he supported some of the vetoes by Gov. Paul LePage. “Thank God he vetoed and legislators allowed the vetoes to stand. Proposed changes to work comp and unemployment would have rolled back, rather than advanced, the causes. A number of bills he vetoed would have rolled back improvements.”
Connors said at least two issues remain for lawmakers to consider come January 2014.
“Two issues remain: the first are the bonds, which would increase employment, have an impact on transportation, etc.; and the second is Medicare adjustments, and the truth is this issue is not going away.
Ben Gilman, senior government relations specialist with the MSC, provided input on energy issues in the state. He noted Efficiency Maine had acquired several million in additional funding, thanks to the diversion of money from an account for cleaning up Maine Yankee — which was no longer needed.
“The money will help get Maine on the path of more efficiency, at the state, residential and business levels,” said Gilman.
Gilman discussed the mining bill and how it would affect development at Bald Mountain.
“In the 1980s, a mining regulation bill passed that was unworkable. The opportunity at Bald Mountain could create upwards of 700 jobs and $100 million in local taxes, but not with the laws that were in place at the first of this year. The proposed bill created a framework instructing the DEP to update the laws. In the law, any water taken from the site has to be returned in drinking water quality,” said Gilman, noting times have changed and procedures have improved, making mining a viable business for Maine.
Linda Caprara, director of grassroots advocacy with the MSC, spoke on tax issues affecting the state. Joyce LaRoche, vice president of membership and marketing with the MSC, shared information about a new intern program. More information can be found at www.internhelpme.com.
“Intern Help ME was created to try to retain students in Maine. We work with all colleges and universities in Maine and push them to use the program,” said LaRoche, encouraging businesses to get involved. “This is a tremendous way to build the workforce.”
Bob Dorsey, president of Aroostook Partnership for Progress, was in the audience. He said more needed to be done at an earlier age.
“We need more mentors, job shadowing. We need to show children patterns — how to connect the dots between what they’re learning in school and how it applies on the job. We’re losing them (younger generation). Students aren’t being stimulated in school, but they are when they go out in the world. We need to start earlier and plan to hold a workshop in August for children in 5th and 6th grade,” said Dorsey.
LaRoche said there was another untapped workforce, which was the focus of a meeting earlier this year.
“Maine’s disabled individuals are being overlooked. Maine’s Business Leadership Network held a meeting recently, providing resources to employers and employees. There are benefits to hiring the disabled. They have untapped skills,” said LaRoche.
Connors closed by thanking all for attending the breakfast.
“It’s wonderful to see old friends and meet new ones. This will always be home — a special place for me,” said Connors, an Easton native and former Presque Isle city manager. “And remember, we’re ready to serve you any way we can.”
