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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 2 2 , 2 0 2 2 16 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S In addition, the RFP specifies that bids will be evaluated in part on their eco- nomic development effects for northern Maine. Minimum criteria of that require- ment aren't laid out, but local officials have some ideas about how to meet it. "Building a new fire station for a town, yeah, that would be good," says Towle. "But what can you do to help attract entrepreneurs or attract new business or help to develop businesses? Can they put up private funding to help match state and federal grants for developing new projects and new businesses?" For Stewart, the two community needs where developers could have the greatest regional impact are sup- porting education in northern Maine's unorganized territories and helping to fund the county jail. "I've been consistent in what I've said to [developers], which is if they want to invest basically hundreds of millions of dollars into Aroostook County, and they want to do it at the county level," says Stewart. Ryan Pelletier, the Aroostook County commissioner, wants the public to weigh in on economic development plans that result from the proposals. "I think policymakers and bureau- crats and all the politicians, even, I think they tend to think they know best. But I think sometimes it's better to go right to the people and find out from them what they'd like to see in their own commu- nities," he says. Short-term gigs While many are confident that significant numbers of jobs will be created, some business leaders are wondering how the short-term con- struction work involved would really benefit the County. "What are we going to do [after the construction projects are done], because all of us employers are going to have to fill our vacancies, even while solar and wind is being produced or constructed," says Lovley. He acknowledges that the wages and benefits will help workers, but "it puts manufacturers in a tough situation." Stewart is also concerned about the short length of many of the jobs, as well as the number of out-of-state workers who would have to be brought in. But he hopes local community college pro- grams for turbine technicians can help fill some of that workforce gap. "If they employed 500 [workers] for five years, that's wonderful, excellent. I'm never gonna say, 'Please don't do that,'" says Stewart. "We want that, but 100% EMPLOYEE OWNED WORKING WITH BUSINESSES & COMMUNITIES to serve their engineering, environmental & surveying needs ME, MA, FL | HALEYWARD.COM | 207.989.4824 COMMUNITY FIRST. TheFirst.com/1-800-564-3195 The Maine Discovery Museum is a vital nonprofit community resource, where children and families can explore and create dreams of their own. With a little help from the inspired crew at our Bangor and Brewer branches, the museum was able to raise much-needed funds to support ongoing operations. First National Bank. Let's create stronger communities, together. Visit TheFirst.com to make your plans happen! Big Dreams? We're all in. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E

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