By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — On Aug. 14, the Northern Maine Development Commission met in the NMDC board room for the first time since early May, however, last Thursday’s executive board of directors meeting was not the only time board members had seen each other in the previous three months.
During the month of June, the NMDC board was busy holding their annual meeting of the members, as well as their executive board meeting, both taking place on June 26 in St. Agatha.
The annual meeting of the members began with NMDC executive director Bob Clark presenting the annual report to the membership and indicated to those in attendance that it was still in draft form. He related a success story of one Small Business Development Center (SBDC) client Meryem Rogan of Promise Pretzels in Houlton, and explained how NMDC staff member Rod Thompson assisted Rogan with her business plan, identified markets and helped her make the appropriate connections to get her small business up and running.
Clark explained that in the last year NMDC became the fiscal agent for the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board (TCWIB), and aligned both the Aroostook-Washington Workforce Investment boards with TCWIB to better serve clients in most of the northern half of the state. Clark also announced the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) counseled 10 clients over the past year, during which they received a total of $14 million in government contracts.
The board discussed how NMDC is also the lead agency in the Mobilize Maine effort, having successfully launched Mobilize Northern Maine with the assistance of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP). APP now has 25 investors and are focusing their efforts on education to industry, diversified agriculture, and, are working in conjunction with Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD), the Opportunities Aroostook website and a social media component to provide a single central point for people to find jobs. LEAD membership has grown to 150 members over the past year and continues to sponsor the Aroostook Day at the Legislature event each year as well as the Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
Clark also reviewed some of the recent programs, grants and initiatives that have helped NMDC to aid and stimulate the economy of many towns throughout northern Maine. The Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge grant (JIAC) allowed NMDC to deliver a second logger and off-road trucker business management training, assist in the expansion of renewable energy economy for both Aroostook and Washington counties, expand the renewable energy cluster in Washington County, training American workers in high demand occupations such as mechanical engineers, biological technicians, electrical engineers and engineering managers, as well as one-on-one business technical assistance and peer-to-peer network development.
The Cooperative Purchase program assisted 51 towns in purchasing nearly 13,195 tons of salt for a total savings of $126,000.
The Brownfields initiative allowed NMDC to provide 10 Phase 1 environmental site assessments (ESAs), six Phase II ESAs and three more that are pending, approximately $403,000 leveraged through grants and continued funding for clean up of a brownfield in Presque Isle, at the future home of the town’s proposed recreation center.
NMDC also applied for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Program, but was not awarded in the first round of submissions. They plan to resubmit for the next round.
Clark later recognized a number of NMDC employees who have served 10, 20, 25 and 30 years. Mike Eisensmith was recognized for his 10 years of service, Julie Corey, Jay Kamm and Alain Ouellette were recognized for their 20 years of service, Roy Thompson and Ruby Bradbury have both served at NMDC for 25 years and Ken Murchison was honored for his 30 years of service. The seven NMDC employees have a combined 150 years of total service.
Switching to the annual executive board meeting held on the same day, Clark announced the current Aroostook County Tourism (ACT) Chairman Jim Bennett had previously indicated he will need to step down from the position as he has been elected president of the International City Management Association. Clark explained it was management’s recommendation to appoint Patricia Sutherland as the new chair of the ACT Committee. A motion was made and seconded to appoint Sutherland as chair of the ACT Committee as presented.
During the executive director’s report, Clark discussed the 2013 Regional Tourism Impact Estimate, which indicates Aroostook County exceeded one million visitors in 2013.
“This resulted in $134 million spent by visitors and supported over 2,000 jobs,” said Clark. “It also supported $9.8 million in additional taxes.”
The Regional Tourism Impact Estimate report is updated every two years.
Clark explained that the Workforce Investment Act will be reauthorized. The new bill, entitled the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), reauthorizes federal workforce and training programs and sets recommended appropriations through the 2020 fiscal year.
“However, the bill does still need to be considered by both the full Senate and House,” said Clark.
The Department of Labor announced $157,430 in supplemental funding to continue the provision of workers affected by layoffs at Maine Military Authority in Limestone. Clark explained that this was not the first time funding has been awarded for the project.
“This is the third supplemental funding for MMA, which brings the total funds awarded for this project to $1,026,712,” said Clark.
