Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the Crown of Maine’s top news business stories from 2023. This article compiled by Chris Bouchard highlights stories from January through June. The second installment will appear soon.
January
The scarcity of electric vehicle charging stations in Aroostook County has resulted in fewer people in the region purchasing them. Usage of electric vehicles has doubled statewide since 2020, with 8,594 registered in Maine as of Oct. 2022, however only 1% of those vehicles belong to Aroostook County residents.
The lack of snow in early 2023 had a drastic impact on the region’s snowmobiling industry. The weather was about three weeks behind the average, due to warmer temperatures and consistent rain melting the snowpack. Snowmobilers contributed more than $606 million to the state’s economy in 2019, according to a report from Snowmobile Maine.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry began accepting artist applications for its 2023 Allagash Wilderness Waterway Visiting Artist Program. As part of the program, they will invite one visual artist and guest to spend two consecutive weeks in Maine wilderness while receiving lodging at the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Lock Dam Camp.
February
The University of Maine at Fort Kent ws set to receive a new, state-of-the-art immersive nursing simulation center. The center features immersive, lifelike models that respond to a plethora of unique scenarios. It will provide nursing students with hands-on clinical training without risking the safety of any patients.
US Cellular expanded its wireless coverage and added 5G service to four cell sites in Aroostook County, including the towns of Grand Isle, Frenchville, Van Buren and Fort Kent. The carrier operates over 420 sites throughout the state. 5G service increases the speed of service on mobile phones and devices.
March
St. John Valley Associates and Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. announced that they would merge, effective on July 1. Through the merger, St. John Valley Associates will keep its staff and continue providing services in the community while AMHC will provide administrative services.
The Aroostook County Commissioners showed support for the proposed expansion of Interstate 95 up to Fort Kent. There have been repeated campaigns to bring the interstate up to the top of the state, however none of them have been successful. Maine Senate President Troy Jackson said that, with the project unfinished and ending at Houlton, communities and businesses in Northern Maine have suffered.
April
Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent added two new orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Ian Dickey and Dr. Jason Oliviero. With these two on board, patients may no longer need to travel several hours south to undergo major orthopedic surgeries.
White Smiles Family Dentistry closed its Fort Kent office due to being unable to find dentists for the practice. Dr. Joseph White made the announcement in early April, stating that White Smiles will continue to offer care at their Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle offices. With this closure, St. John Valley will only have one dentist.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent Foundation prepared to host its 16th annual Spring Gala. The event was based on the Kentucky Derby and featured southern tea. The gala raises money for the university foundation, which supports academics, research, scholarships and facilities at the school.
May
The Top O’ Maine Trade Show in Madawaska brought in more than 2,200 guests and 82 vendors. It is known as the largest trade show north of Bangor. It also raises money for the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce. Over 30 vendors have already applied for the next annual event.
A Polar Dip event, which involved participants dipping into the cold waters of Long Lake in Sinclair, raised $12,000 for the Aroostook County branch of the Special Olympics. It was the 15th installment of the event and it drew fifty participants from Aroostook County to as far away as Wells.
Northern Maine Medical Center CEO Jeff Zewe said that significant changes had to be made to the hospital, which serves over 14,500 St. John Valley residents, or else it would likely have had to close its doors after Christmas of 2023. The hospital had a net profit of $3 million in 2021, but without $11 million in federal pandemic funds it would have been $8 million in debt.
June
Northern Neighbor Quilters, a chapter of the Pine Tree Quilters Guild, is invited new members to join. Group members Cheryl Daigle and Joan Paradis said they are willing to help others learn how to quilt through a class starting in the fall. The group has been around for 20 years and is one of over 60 Pine Tree chapters in the states. Over 2,000 Mainers belong to one of these groups.
