CARIBOU — The First Regular Session of the 127th Maine Legislature convened Dec. 3, but the real work does not get underway until senators and representatives return to Augusta in January. To help better prepare Aroostook County legislators, Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) hosted an informational session recently for area lawmakers.
APP President Bob Dorsey said the Dec. 9 meeting focused on three primary issues: the potential for rail car manufacturing at the Loring Commerce Centre, mining at Bald Mountain and the need for the expansion of broadband services in rural Aroostook County. Carl Flora, president of the Loring Development Authority, Anthony Hourihan of J.D. Irving and Don Flewelling of Pioneer Wireless presented on the three topics respectively.
Flora said the possible Norinco rail car manufacturing facility and the projected 280 jobs is just the start.
“Increased rail traffic will open the door to other possibilities,” he said.
Hourihan told the group that even though mining regulation changes may have stalled in the last legislature, the issue will be readdressed and hopefully a compromise can be found.
Flewelling addressed the need for robust Internet connectivity in Aroostook. He said there are many underserved areas and some federal and state dollars have helped grow broadband, but more needs to be done.
“These issues comprise two of the biggest opportunities for economic growth in Aroostook and perhaps the greatest challenge, outside of younger workforce retention, in the county,” stated Dorsey. “We have been advocating for a balanced approach to mining since 2012 and the growing need for modern rail cars has presented a tremendous opportunity for Loring.”
APP currently sees a potential for more than 1,000 emerging jobs if these and other forestry/manufacturing jobs occur due to anticipated demand rising for Aroostook forest products which could result in a greater than $100 million increase in Maine gross domestic product.
According to Dorsey, “It is important our legislators understand Aroostook’s major opportunities and challenges prior to them considering the bills they will review in Augusta and to be aware of the impact bills may have on either supporting or hurting these issues.”
Legislators in attendance were Representatives John Martin, Danny Martin, Robert Saucier and Senators Mike Willette and Peter Edgecomb.
