VAN BUREN — Van Buren is the most recent Aroostook County community to be designated “Certified Business-Friendly” by Gov. Paul LePage and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
“It is exciting to be recognized for the hard work and commitment put forth by the town of Van Buren in promoting new economic development and helping our existing businesses grow and prosper,” said Dan McClung, Van Buren town manager. “We have an aggressive growth strategy for economic development and this certification is a key piece of the puzzle.”
In late-October, Gov. LePage and the DECD announced that, in total, three more communities will be designated “Certified Business-Friendly.” With the addition of Madison, Southwest Harbor and Van Buren, a total of 30 Maine communities have now been designated.
“The addition of these three communities to an already impressive list strengthens Maine ability to grow our economy and make our state even more prosperous,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Each of these cities and towns are helping Maine become more competitive and open for business. These communities are leading by example with terrific customer service, strong collaboration with the private sector and by demonstrating a can-do attitude when it comes to licensing and permitting.”
A team of public and private economic development experts reviews each application to determine eligibility in the program. Some of the business-friendly characteristics now associated with the newly certified community of Van Buren will include: the utilization of limited tools and resources to efficiently promote economic development; establishment of economic development director providing businesses with point of contact; effective use of local, state and federal funds to support town’s business climate; and collaboration with regional and statewide entities
The “Certified Business-Friendly Community” program, administered by DECD, encourages Maine municipalities to take a critical look at all areas of their business attraction strategy and examine ways the community interacts with businesses to promote new private investment.
In a letter of support for the designation, Northern Maine Development Commission Executive Director Robert Clark wrote, “Over the past decade, Van Buren has been proactive in putting in place both infrastructure and processes that will assist new enterprises in doing business in the community.”
Clark added Van Buren took advantage of having a USDA Empowerment Zone designation to obtain funding from both the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and USDA Rural Development to expand their industrial park. As a result, a value-added food processor, Northern Girl, and Northern Maine Paving have moved into the park with the help of the Pine Tree Zone program, Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement and Business Equipment Tax Exemption programs and Tax Increment Financing, with the assistance of NMDC.
The “Certified Business-Friendly Community” program began in 2012. Since then, the list of “Certified Business-Friendly” communities in Aroostook County has grown to include Caribou, Fort Kent, Presque Isle and now Van Buren.
Each community is awarded a certificate of achievement, two Maine DOT road signs and becomes a key part of Maine’s business attraction strategy.
