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V O L . X X X I N O. X I I J U N E 2 , 2 0 2 5 16 A G R I C U LT U R E / A Q UA C U LT U R E F O C U S Andy Martin is the project manager of the construction. Martin affirms that the project will be completed next year. "We're scheduled for a certification of occupancy for July 6, 2026," he says. Cost of construction has been reported at $55 million. Logical logistics One of the distinctive attributes of kettle chips is the fact that they shrink quite a bit. is can result in a business advantage for the plant in Limestone. Sargent says that because the key ingredient is grown nearby, less money will be spent on shipping the chips. And chips are lighter than potatoes, which are 90% water before they are processed. e majority of the shipping cost will be just the processed product. For processors located farther from the potato fields, if they buy 55,000 pounds of potatoes, they end up with 12,500 pounds of chips. Another advantage for Taste of Maine is the fact that Sargent also owns Falcon Transportation, a trucking busi- ness based in Presque Isle. "I've got the shipping," says Sargent. e new plant will be a significant job creator in a part of the state where jobs are needed. In addition, the con- struction of the plant provides an eco- nomic boost to Aroostook County. Buck Construction has experience with large projects in the County, hav- ing constructed a dry storage building at the McCrum french fry facility in Washburn in 2023. Martin says there are currently 30 to 40 people work- ing on site in Limestone but 60 to 80 people will be working on the plant as completion nears. "It's the best thing that has happened to Aroostook County in my lifetime," says longtime potato farmer Wayne Marquis of Marquis Farms in Van Buren. "When I was a kid all the french fry facilities went belly up." Marquis notes that the McCrum facility built in 2020 has increased opportunities for farmers in the region, along with longstanding pro- cessor McCain's. "Lumber and potatoes are the two big things in Aroostook County," he says. Marquis does note that there might be something of a learning curve for farmers who haven't sold to the chip market before. "It's grown a little different and its's stored a little different. Once you learn it though it's not really harder," he says. Marquis is interested in grow- ing for the new plant but it is too early to tell if that will happen. "e jury is still out," he says. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F B U C K C O N S T R U C T I O N A 96,000-square-foot Taste of Maine potato chip factory is under construction on the former air base in Limestone, Aroostook County. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F TA S T E O F M A I N E P O TAT O C H I P C O. Bruce Sargent is leading the Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. effort. 96,000-square-foot potato chip plant is under construc- tion at the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. Owner Bruce Sargent says he expects the plant to be open by April 2026. e plant will use up to 1,500 acres of Aroostook County potatoes annually and employ 40 to 60 people. Sargent had hoped for an earlier opening date but the construction was delayed by the state permitting processes. Located on Northcutt Road near the west entrance of the former base, the plant will initially use four kettles to make kettle chips but is being built for an eight-kettle capacity. At the start, the plant will be able to process 2,200 pounds of chips an hour. is will be the flagship plant for Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co., which is based in Preque Isle. Buck Construction, of Mapleton, is leading construction of the plant. Taste of Maine potato chip plant under construction in Aroostook County B y J o h n O ' M e a r a

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