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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 35 J U N E 1 , 2 0 1 5 Goals and objectives Aroostook Partnership for Progress's Dorsey says the working group already has identified several goals and objectives to support its ultimate goal of growing Aroostook County's forest economy by increasing its value-added processing and manufac- turing capabilities and thereby creat- ing new, good-paying jobs. "Value-added production is where the real money is," he says. "We need to take a look at the Maine regulatory envi- ronment to see if there are jobs we're los- ing, if there is value we're losing, if there are profits our companies are losing to other states because of regulations we might have that reduce competitiveness." Building on Strauch's point that much of the recent investments by for- est products companies in Aroostook County are being driven by innovation, Dorsey says the working group has identified workforce training as a top priority to make sure those investments are supported by skilled workers. Part of that effort, he says, involves educat- ing teachers about how much the forest industry has changed in the last 20 to 30 years, and that today's forest-sector jobs require strong skills in science, technol- ogy, engineering and mathematics. "ese are $45,000 and $50,000 jobs, they're good jobs, they're rais- ing the overall wage structure of Aroostook County," he says. In addition to improving the image and doing a better job of promoting the forest industry, Dorsey says the working group already has identified a need to increase training opportuni- ties for equipment operators, off-road truckers and self-employed con- tractors who might lack some skills needed to sustain their businesses. Improving transportation networks, reducing energy costs and creating consistent state economic development policies that support forest product com- panies' ability to compete effectively in a global economy are some of the other objectives that have been raised, he says. "What is our growth plan for the next five to 10 years to grow those areas where our strengths are?" Dorsey says. "We're not simply looking at things from a regional perspective either. We're hoping this can be an example of how working together will help grow Maine's economy. We're hoping by having a clus- ter, we're going to get people thinking a little bit more broadly about what needs to be done to realize our potential." Ja m e s M c Ca rt h y , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r writer, can be reached at jmcc arthy @ mainebiz.biz and @ Jame sMainebiz The Secret To Business Travel: Keep It Simple Insiders know. The best way to travel on business is hassle free. Fly from an airport close to home. One that off ers lots of parking. Short lines. Friendly people. With frequent nonstop fl ights to major cities and connections around the world. So keep it simple. Fly from Bangor International Airport. FlyBangor.com And we love small business loans. Federally Insured By NCUA Rick L. Koch Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Call or email me: (207) 373-5101 rkoch@atlanticregional.com We are locally owned and we make the decisions. www.atlanticregional.com SIZE MATTERS!