At 5 p.m., we will adjourn a short distance to the Black Frog Restaurant (on the lake in downtown Greenville) to hear our keynote speaker: Paul Farrow, President of Moss Inc. in Belfast

Paul will discuss his company's dedication to employees, the environment, and our society. This discussion acts a precursor to the upcoming Penquis Conference on Sustainable Business Practices (see story below).

This Quarterly Meeting is open to the public and no rsvp is needed.

The PCEDC was an original co-author of the grant creating the incubator and was instrumental in acquiring its first tenant (see below). The incubator is owned by the Town of Greenville and is partnered with the University of Maine's Advanced Engineered Wood Composite lab in Orono.

CHEt/AMC Mapping Project goes forward
The PCEDC's Cultural Heritage & Eco-tourism (CHEt) Committee is moving forward with the Appalachian Mountain Club to create a map that highlights both recreational and cultural/heritage resources in the southern half of Piscataquis County.

The map will be similar to one created by the AMC for northern New Hampshire but will highlight cultural/heritage resources as well. The purpose of the map is to encourage tourism growth in the outdoor recreation and cultural/heritage sectors.

In 2004, the AMC purchased 37,000 acres of land between Brownville and Greenville. This property, part of the famed 100 Mile Wilderness, will be used by the Club to develop outdoor recreational opportunities, conserve unique landscapes, and sustainably harvest wood.

Know of a business needing help?
Have them call the PCEDC and we'll get them the help they need: 1-800-539-0332

Spread the Word
Some of our best business attraction leads have come from you, the public. Perhaps you know of a vendor or client that is interested in expanding? Or perhaps you meet a business executive on vacation and you strike up a conversation about their growing business plans. Let them all know that Piscataquis County will welcome them with open arms and that the PCEDC will assist them in any way necessary.

Margaret Chase Smith Draft Survey Results Shared
Thanks to a grant from USDA Rural Development, the University of Maine's Margaret Chase Smith (MCS) Center has completed a draft of its Piscataquis County tourism attitudes survey. The survey is a result of working partnerships between the MSC Center, the PCEDC, numerous Town Managers, and the Penquis Higher Education Center. The draft results were shared in the three public forums in January so as to gauge public response. The survey will help enable area leaders to develop countywide tourism strategy. Final results should be public soon.

Speaking of Tourism…
Based on a recommendation by the PCEDC, the Piscataquis County Commissioners have formalized a Tourism Task Force that will collect, study, and synthesize all past tourism studies within Piscataquis County and prepare a tourism development strategy by the end of 2005. For more information on this exciting work, please contact Roger Merchant at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (564-3301).

Sustainability Conference Planned
The Penquis Conference on Sustainable Business Practices is set for March 22 from 8am-4pm at the Penquis Higher Education Center, Dover-Foxcroft. This exciting conference will provide an opportunity for area business leaders to develop ideas and tools for conscientious business practices. The Conference is co-sponsored by the PCEDC and is being wholly developed by the Penquis Leadership Institute class of 2005.

To register for the Conference, click here.

Check Out our Website www.pcedc.org

Business Notes: Maine House Furniture
Maine House Furniture, headquartered in the Piscataquis County town of Abbot, recently celebrated its expansion into the Greenville Business Incubator (see incubator story above). While most people will know the company's retail outlet, Maine House Furnishings and Gifts, on Route 15 Abbot, many are surprised to learn about the company's growing custom furniture business. Owners Meinhulf and Siglinde Poiss will be moving the furniture business from their current cramped conditions into more than 5,800 s/f of space within the incubator. Maine House management is expected to create up to four or five jobs over the next few years.

The PCEDC coordinated an effort with Greenville officials, the Central Maine Power Company, and the Composite Technology Centers to locate Maine House Furnishings within the Greenville Incubator Building. While not a wood composites company, Maine House will act as a “market tenant” and create badly needed jobs for the regional economy.

Business Notes: Shaws Supermarkets , Inc.
Shaw's Supermarkets Inc. has entered the Piscataquis County market by opening a store in Dover-Foxcroft. The 45,000 s/f+ store has hired approximately 80 people.

Business Notes: Pleasant River Lumber Company
Pleasant River Lumber Company in Dover-Foxcroft has completed construction their new administration building on Rt. 6/16. This is part of a larger $4 million plant modernization that will create 14 permanent jobs.

The company's plans rely, in part, on the easy availability of municipal water. The PCEDC assisted the Town of Dover-Foxcroft in writing a Community Development Block Grant for $400,000 in order to help extend water lines to the company. The PCEDC also worked with the company on securing incentives from the State's Pine Tree Zone initiative.

Business Notes: Pride Manufacturing
Guilford headquartered Pride Manufacturing has announced its plans to consolidate much of its golf tee manufacturing operation to Burnham. This will eliminate the Florida operations and substantially reduce capacity at the Wisconsin facility. Company officials indicate that they will keep manufacturing in Guilford, sparing Piscataquis County a major layoff situation. Last year, the PCEDC, along with Guilford municipal officials and the Piscataquis County Commissioners, worked with Pride officials to successfully retain the turning operations in Guilford. At the time, Pride's management had pursued an option to move the Guilford operation to Burnham as well. Pride currently employs over 100 workers at the Guilford facility.

Economic Development Supporter Retires
County Commission Chair Eben Dewitt (District 3) retired from the Commission in late December after 18 years of service. Eben was a staunch supporter of economic development within the county and his dedication will be missed. He will continue to be a valuable member of the PCEDC Board of Directors.

Fred Trask, owner of Trask Insurance in Milo, was elected in November, 2004, to replace Dewitt. Also a member of the PCEDC Board of Directors, Fred's enthusiasm for economic development has been strong and forceful.

New Face at the PCEDC
The PCEDC's Cultural Heritage & Eco-tourism (CHEt) Committee recently contracted its work with Patrick Myers of Sebec. Patrick is an original resident of Piscataquis County and has an extensive background in administration. More importantly, Patrick brings a passion for promoting Piscataquis County's unique culture and heritage. In addition to helping fundraise for CHEt's Piscataquis County history book, Patrick will also be working with the Mid Maine Historical Society in promoting a display of late 19th and early 20th century historical photos of Maine's North Woods. Both of the projects have been developed to encourage pride of place among residents and attract tourists to the area.