HOULTON, Maine — For 24 years, Jon McLaughlin has worked quietly, but diligently, behind the scenes as one of the area’s biggest supporters for economic development.
As the only person to wear the title of executive director for the Southern Aroostook Development Corp., McLaughlin has been instrumental in bringing new businesses and helping existing ones remain and expand in southern Aroostook County.
Now McLaughlin, 66, of Houlton is finally ready to hand the reins over to someone new.
McLaughlin had decided to step down in May 2021, but remained with the corporation until a replacement was found. Jared Tapley has been tabbed as the next executive director for SADC. He takes over the position May 1.
“I will spend a few weeks with Jared to get him up to speed,” McLaughlin said.
The decision to finally retire did not come without a lot of soul searching. After all, McLaughlin followed in the footsteps of his father Aubrey, who from 1957 to 1964 served as the director of the Houlton Regional Development Corp. — the precursor to SADC.
“I have been very fortunate to have great town managers who really believed in what we were trying to do,” McLaughlin said. “I will miss all the people for sure.”
Founded in 1998, the corporation has but one employee — its executive director — but has a vast network of volunteers who comprise its board of directors.
“When we first started out, SADC was focused on marketing the area to businesses outside of Aroostook,” McLaughlin said. “More recently, we decided we also needed to help our existing businesses so they can expand.”
Funding for the position comes from stakeholders, local and regional businesses, as well as the municipalities of Houlton, Smyrna, New Limerick, Monticello and Littleton who provide funds on an annual basis.
SADC is an economic enhancement organization, founded in 1998, to develop and expand the economic base of southern Aroostook County. Business and community leaders from throughout the area work together to help coordinate, promote and guide new business creation.
A non-profit organization, its mission is to promote economic growth throughout southern Aroostook County by preserving the merits of the region by seeking new business opportunities, preserving existing industries and fostering job opportunities. It also focuses on promoting entrepreneurism, eliminating hurdles to local development and building relationships with organizations that share similar views.
McLaughlin said even though he is getting done, he plans to stay busy volunteering as a member of the SADC board of directors. He has also been named as the executive director of the Houlton High School Alumni Association.
