To the editor:
Lawmakers recently had the opportunity to meet with nearly 100 employers, workers, students and community leaders during our three day jobs tour in Aroostook County. We were grateful for the opportunity to listen and hear from so many people.
We learned a lot.
First, there is so much pride of place in Aroostook County — and for good reason. The County has so much to offer Maine and the nation, including its incredible farms and forests, people with a strong work ethic, and a growing manufacturing industry that will need a skilled workforce.
Second, we heard a clear message from industry leaders and workers: invest in job training and workforce development to grow good jobs and strong wages in the County. A skilled and well-trained workforce is key to success for both workers and businesses in our state.
Maine has lagged behind the nation in job and wage growth since the recession, and Aroostook County’s unemployment remains among the highest in the state at 7 percent. Maine’s comeback story depends on growing more jobs and strong wages across the state. Doing so will help grow the middle class in our state. That’s why I will introduce a measure to increase job training funds for public-private partnerships and scholarships by $5 million over five years, and will work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to create more economic opportunity for Maine families.
I’d like to thank all of the people who met with us, including officials, workers and students at Louisiana- Pacific Corp.’s manufacturing plant, McCain Foods, the St. John Valley Technology Center, JM Huber, Smith & Wesson, JD Irving’s Ashland Sawmill and the Northern Maine Community College as well as members of the Northern Maine Development Commission. I also want to thank Rep. Danny Martin of Sinclair, Rep. Bob Saucier of Presque Isle, Rep. Henry John Bear of the Houlton Maliseet Indians and Rep. Roger Sherman of Hodgdon for joining us on the tour and Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake for his help planning the trip.
Rep. Mark Eves
Speaker of the House
(D-North Berwick)
