J.D. Irving Limited named Business of the Year
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — J.D. Irving Limited was recognized as Business of the Year at the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, held Jan. 22 at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR for 2014 went to J.D. Irving Limited. The company was recognized during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner, held Jan. 22 at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center. Pictured from left are: Karen Gonya, CACC president; Tony Pineo, manager of Irving’s Ashland Sawmill; Peter Tabor, regional manager for Irving Woodlands LLC; and Theresa Fowler, executive director for the CACC.
“The Business of the Year is being recognized based on its investment and increased growth in the area. The company we are honoring tonight has made a considerable investment in the region,” said Karen Gonya, president of the CACC.
Gonya said the business is “one of the largest landowners in the state,” managing approximately 1.3 million acres.
“Irving Woodland LLC invested $35 million (at the Ashland Sawmill, located in Nashville Plantation) and employs 147 people,” said Gonya.
In addition, Gonya noted the company directly affects dozens more.
“Irving uses the services of over 150 contractors in the area. The business continues to grow while using the latest in science,” she said.
“We’re proud to recognize Irving as our Business of the Year,” said Gonya.
Peter Tabor, regional manager for Irving Woodlands, and Toby Pineo, manager of the Ashland Sawmill, accepted the award.
“The work ethic of the folks in The County is legendary. These are tremendous people — awesome to watch work every day,” said Pineo.
“On behalf of them, thank you for this award,” said Pineo.
J.D. Irving, Limited is the parent company of Irving Woodlands, LLC, which has offices in Fort Kent, Nashville Plt. and Presque Isle, as well as Irving Forest Products, Inc. Irving’s Sawmill Division invested millions in a new state-of-the-art softwood sawmill in Ashland (Nashville Plt.), creating dozens of jobs in the mill and additional jobs were created in support industries in the region. Biomass boilers, dry kilns and a planer mill are also part of the investment.
The softwood lumber produced at this new facility will provide customers their choice of products that are environmentally certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) programs. The majority of the lumber produced will be sold to major retail lumber yards located throughout the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
“The round wood log supply for the new sawmill is being procured from the company’s Maine freehold woodlands as well as other woodlot and timberland owners in the state,” said Theresa Fowler, executive director of the CACC.
