This Quarterly Meeting is being hosted by the PCEDC’s Cultural Heritage & Ecotourism (CHEt) Committee and will highlight efforts to encourage a "creative economy" in Piscataquis County.

Suggested donations for dinner are $20.

Please RSVP to Lisa at 1-800-539-0332 or email her at lherzog@emdc.org

But a reminder why of we are here
According to a new release by the Maine Department of Labor, Piscataquis County residents scored lowest in terms of Average Annual Wages in 2003.

While Piscataquis County had an average annual wage of $23,205 in 2003, top-scoring Sagadahoc residents earned a much higher average annual wage of $34,880; a difference of $11,675.

More disturbing is the fact that in 2000 both Piscataquis and Sagadahoc had similar high/low rankings. However, between 2000 - 2003 Sagadahoc’s average annual wage grew by 10% while Piscataquis County’s grew only 4.83%. This anemic wage growth rate represents the lowest in the State. The next lowest average annual wage growth is Oxford County at 7.21%. Residents in Knox County, on the other hand, saw a robust average annual rate growth (2000-03) of 13.63%.

Bond Referendum Vote in two months
County voters will have an opportunity to authorize Commissioners to borrow up to $952,000 for far-reaching economic development projects including:

* the creation of an industrial park in the eastern part of the County (Milo),

* expansion of the Greenville Industrial Park,

* construction funding for the wood composite incubator, and

* extending water lines to Pleasant River Lumber company for productivity upgrades.

New Municipal Faces around the County
Former Hardwood Products executive Dick Drummond has been named Town Manager of Sangerville. Former Corinna Town Manager Judy Doore has been appointed Town Manager of Monson. Jack Clukey of Baileyville has assumed the Town Manager’s position in Dover-Foxcroft.

All have shown a strong interest in economic development and are hitting the ground running.

For more information on the book, contact project director Helen Kelly at 564-2943.

Encouraging an entrepreneurial economy
Are you- or someone you know- interested in starting a business but don’t have a business background? No problem, there’s help.

The Fall class of the Incubator Without Walls program is accepting applications. This program provides basic business education over a four month period. The program is unique in that is encourages a level of networking among current and past participants in the program.

For more information on the Fall class, contact Jim Macomber at 564-7116 or email Jim at jmacomber@penquiscap.org.

PCEDC Website Updated
Please take a moment to check out our revised and improved PCEDC website. This is part of our ongoing effort to attract more businesses, retain our current businesses, and educate the public about PCEDC activities.

New County Manager Named
Mark Henderson of Glenburn will become the County’s first Manager. Henderson’s background includes leadership experience in the Marine Corp and American Red Cross.