News Briefs

Three Ring binder construction commences in Aroostook County
AMITY — Tilson Fiber Technology, LLC, a member of the Tilson family of companies, announced last week that construction recently began ahead of schedule in Orient on a section of Maine Fiber Company, Inc.’s Three Ring Binder Project.
When completed, this section will link the Aroostook County communities of Orient, Amity, Cary Plantation and Hodgdon, which according to a recent ConnectME Authority report, is an area that is largely unserved by broadband providers.
    Pioneer Broadband, an Aroostook County broadband provider, is currently providing DSL service in that area and will ‘backhaul’ service over the Three Ring Binder out to the Internet.
“We’re excited that construction has begun ahead of schedule in Orient,” said Amy Hayes, program manager. “We foresee a heightened pace of construction over the coming months as we complete sections of the project across Maine. We’re working closely with nextGen Telecom Services Group, Inc., our prime network infrastructure construction contractor, to ensure the timely completion of the project, and project that 500 miles will be completed by the end of 2011.”
An open access, 1,100 mile, high-capacity fiber optic network, the Three Ring Binder Project will make broadband Internet access more readily available to 110,000 households and 600 community anchor institutions throughout rural Maine. Community anchor institutions include hospitals, rural health care clinics, community colleges, University of Maine campuses, libraries, government facilities, and public safety departments.
A public-private partnership, the Three Ring Binder Project represents an investment of more than $32 million in Maine. $25.4 million was provided through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, and was matched with $7 million in private investment.
Retired local business owner featured as national “Power of Wind” spokesperson
WESTON — America’s wind energy industry has launched a promotional campaign featuring the stories of Americans who have welcomed wind energy into their communities, including retired local business owner Judy Cleaves of Weston.
The multifaceted campaign so far has included Capitol Hill subway ads in Washington, D.C., online banner ads on leading political and energy websites, Facebook, and Google, and short video profiles and photos on the website PowerofWind.com, which serves a national community of wind advocates.
“Wind turbines radiate strength and innovation, and so do the stories of the Americans featured in the Power of Wind campaign,” said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “Their hometowns and their professions may differ, but they’ve all been blessed by the breezes blowing across their plains and the benefits of economic development that spill over into their communities. These people represent the opportunity of American wind power.”
The founding owner of rustic First Settler’s Lodge in Weston, Cleaves credits the development of a wind farm on nearby Stetson Mountain with her business’ success.
“The wind farm boosted business at our lodge, allowing me to finally retire,” said Cleaves. “The project created an influx of business — from engineers, developers, construction workers, utility workers, and tourists — which ensured that the lodge would live on under new owners Stephen and Susan Mine. I can see the towers out my front window and some mornings, when the sun is rising and it hits those towers they are absolutely beautiful.”