Monday, December 5th , 4-7pm at The Nor'Easter Restaurant, Dover-Foxcroft
(across from the Post Office, next to Grave's Shop-N-Save)

Topic: "Piscataquis Tourism Task Force Report on Findings"

In early 2005, the Piscataquis County Commissioners authorized the creation of a task force that would provide strategies to build tourism in Piscataquis County. Piscataquis County's potential for tourism is large, and yet we haven't fully realized that potential. The Piscataquis Tourism Task Force will be making its final recommendations to the County Commissioners during our Annual Meeting. We are pleased to host this exciting event and hope you will attend.

To RSVP, contact PCEDC Administrative Assistant Lisa Herzog by email or phone at (207) 564-3638. Dinner is $15 payable at the Nor'Easter Restaurant.

Greenville Steam Purchased; Upgrade Planned
One of the County's true assets, the Greenville Steam Company has been purchased by New Energy Capital Corporation. New Energy invests in, owns, and operates renewable energy generation plants. Greenville Steam currently employs over 24 workers and is an important link in attracting wood product manufacturers to the Greenville Industrial Park. With the purchase, New Energy also announced a multi-million dollar upgrade to the plant that will allow it to "improve performance, increase generating capacity, and reduce emissions."

More info here and here.

Mayo Opens Milo Family Practice Building
Top notch schools and medical care facilities are integral part of any economic development effort. Such efforts in the eastern part of the County were enhanced recently with the final construction of Mayo Regional Hospital's new 5,000 s/f Family Practice building in Milo. The building is the first tenant within the new Eastern Piscataquis Industrial Park and will undoubtedly be a draw for future tenants within the park.

More on the building here.

PCEDC Budget Request
This year, the PCEDC asked the Piscataquis County Commissioners for an increase of their annual contribution. The increase will be used to implement the recommendations of the Piscataquis Tourism Task Force as well as increase business attraction marketing efforts. The Commissioners have indicated their willingness to support an increase.

Nomination of Moosehead Mfg for Governor's Award
Every year, Maine's governor promotes a small group of companies with an "Award for Business Excellence." This year, the PCEDC was proud to forward the nomination of Moosehead Manufacturing to the Governor. Moosehead's generosity toward its employees and community are already well known and regarded throughout the County. If successful, this award will be a suitable recognition by the State of a model corporate citizen. Special thanks to Tracy Michaud Stutzman of the Maine Highland Guild who greatly assisted in the nomination application.

New Name; Still Proud
Brothers Doug and Jody Fletcher, owners of Maine Wood Turnings in New Vineyard, have officially purchased Pride Manufacturing's Guilford plant. The PCEDC wrote a successful $400,000 State grant earlier this summer in order to facilitate the transaction. Although the Guilford plant will compliment the New Vineyard operations, it will remain independent with its own name: American Pride, LLC.

More on the completed sale here.

Pleasant River Lumber expands
Company Vice President Jason Brochu announced the purchase of a new generating boiler; a $750,000 investment. The boiler will produce power for the company while greatly reducing their dependency on fuel. Brochu estimates that the boiler will save the company from using 10,000 gallons of fuel weekly.

Economic Lifeline Nears Completion
It's been a long time coming but the Rt. 15 transportation projects are nearing completion. Route 15 is one of the County's principle economic lifelines and, for too long, it was in disastrous shape; especially the road between Guilford and Dover-Foxcroft. While this stretch will be finally finished next spring, other related projects have already been completed. These include the bridge over Kingsbury Stream in Abbot and the bridge over the Piscataquis River in Sangerville.

$550,000 for EPIP
Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of our Congressional Delegation, the Eastern Piscataquis Industrial Park (EPIP) comes much closer to final development. Senator Collins and Congressman Michaud were on hand during the recent dedication of the new Milo Family Practice building to announce the successful passage in Congress of $550,000 toward general development in the Park. The PCEDC was pleased to have authored the request for the towns of Milo and Brownville, co-developers of the Park.

Senator Snowe and Collins remarks

Congressman Michaud remarks

Dog Powered Racing in Piscataquis County?
Is there a future for dog sled racing in the county? According to a recent study by the Margaret Chase Smith Center at the University of Maine: YES! For five years, the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the successful Maine Highlands Sled Dog Challenge. Now, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Plum Creek Timberlands, the 100 Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race is approaching its second year. According to the race's chief volunteer organization, the Appalachian Mountain Club, interest among mushers is running high for the February, 2006 race.

People Notes
Piscataquis County Manager Mike Henderson has been called to military duty. Henderson, who serves in the Marine Corps Reserves, will be mobilized for approximately a year and will be deployed into Iraq for seven months. He will be replaced on an interim basis by former Dover-Foxcroft Town Manager Owen Pratt. If you'd like to maintain contact with Mike after he leaves, here's his military email address: hendersonmj@mfr.usmc.mil.

Check out the PCEDC's updated website. The PCEDC website has been updated in order to provide a more organized presentation of information. Check it out: www.pcedc.org

And Speaking of Moosehead....
The company has started a new high-end line of furniture: J. Wentworth. According to the company, initial response has been very positive.

Did you know....
that between 1990 and 2000 the number of County residents who commuted less than 20 minutes fell by 10%? Meanwhile, the number of residents who commuted more than 20 minutes grew by 16%. Clearly, our workers are traveling greater distances to work. In fact, during the same decade, the number of workers traveling outside Piscataquis County to work increased 37%!