Wow! Where did February go? The month was a blur of frigid proportions. We set a record for the coldest February and the fifth coldest month ever since they started keeping records here in the 1930s. Such a chill and record snow just south of us in the lower New England states made it difficult for business.
But March is set up to perhaps save the winter. The trails are in great shape — and nobody has better trails than right here in Aroostook. So as the temperature moderates, we could have a nice finish to our winter season.
Despite the cold, there are lots of reasons for optimism. The recent deal between the city and Sitel means that 150 jobs and perhaps hundreds more could be coming to downtown Sweden Street as the deal includes the old ATX building. With all that traffic, it would be wise to fire up some of those downtown buildings for support businesses.
The one troubling aspect of the deal between Caribou and Sitel was the parking lot sale. I can understand the company needed guaranteed parking spots and the city not wanting to lose the deal because of the lack as such. But some of our Chamber members will be impacted and that is a problem. I was exceedingly torn during the recent public hearing on the matter during the last Council meeting. I couldn’t find a happy place between the benefit to the area of the new deal and the basic unfairness of the situation for some of our members. I really was conflicted and remained silent as I could not find the right words. I did speak with the city manager after the meeting though.
I am hoping that Sitel will be as locally amenable as they state and will work with our impacted members to work something out that will make it work for both parties.
The other thing that conflicts me is that we want a revitalized downtown and just lost 100 municipal parking spots to facilitate said revitalization. The bottom line here, though, is that our tax base just increased, we put a building back on the tax rolls and hundreds of people working downtown will no question help our local economy. It will be interesting here in another month or so!
Our Chamber has been working hard to include our members in more of our activities. We have already held two “Business After Hours” events at local member businesses and we are off to a promising start. This is a social and networking opportunity for our members to gather at a different business each month. We feel that this sort of networking opportunity is important for business and organizational leaders who might sometimes feel on an island.
The next Business After Hours event will take place on Thursday, March 26 at Sullivan Floor Coverings. The time is at 5:15 p.m. and runs to 7.
Another initiative is an alternating “Sunrise Seminar” and “Lunch and Learn” opportunities where we can bring useful information to our members that will help them in what they do. Our first such event featured Darren Woods of the Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency who had a lot to share about what businesses and organizations needed to do to be ready for anything.
Our next event will be a seminar on using social media effectively. An early April date for that “Lunch and Learn” event will be released shortly.
I hope you saw the commercials on WAGM-TV this past week for our Tri-Chamber Coupon Book. This really is a great deal for $20. Use the lift tickets at Mars Hill and stop off for dinner after using coupons from this book and you will already pay for the book! Get coupons for auto repairs, tire rotations, snowmobile gear, stoves and equipment, free fitness passes and receive savings at drug stores, restaurants, gift shops, granite and so much more! Get yours today at the Chamber office in the Nylander Museum!
One last and important thing: Our annual Recognition Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. We need your help with nominations of what people, businesses and organizations we should honor this year. Please let us know your thoughts by calling the office or via letter or e-mail. Public input is very important to this process!
Have a great week, everyone!
Executive Director William Tasker may be reached in the CACC office at 498-6156 or email him at cacc@cariboumaine.net.
