Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 35 O C T O B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5 Dorsey says. "Growing that awareness is important." Adam Cyr agrees. He grew up in Caribou, graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2004, then man- aged a hotel in Portland for six years, followed by eight months in Providence, R.I. Today, he's general manager at the Presque Isle Hampton Inn, which opened six years ago and created 34 jobs. "I got the opportunity to come home," he says. "My family was home. I like this type of lifestyle. ere's a lot to be said for the peacefulness, and I'm big into outdoor activities. In Providence, you can't walk out your door and hop on your snowmobile." Bringing talent back home is key for preventing communities from becoming ghost towns, says Dorsey. "All of rural America is facing same thing we are," says Dorsey. " ere's going to be real competition for the best and brightest students. So we feel we've got to get out ahead of that." And APP is helping to do that. Aroostook has seen signifi cant industry and infrastructure development in recent years, and more is on the horizon, says Dorsey. ese include $39.14 million in investments, in 2012, in both company- driven and APP-supported energy, broadband and rail infrastructure; $77.2 million in investments and 142 jobs cre- ated in 2013, related to further infrastruc- ture improvements and business creation and upgrades; $199 million in invest- ments and 271 jobs created in 2014; and for 2015 so far, an estimated $25 million invested and 134-plus jobs created. Dorsey says APP is tracking potential in the coming year or two for a variety of additional projects. In 2009, an industry analysis of the renewable energy industry of northern Maine, conducted by ViTAL Economy and APP and NMDC industry executives and profession- als, identifi ed renewable energy as a potential high-growth industry, based on the wind and biomass resources in the region. at fi nding has been borne out, says Dorsey, by new and proposed projects, including Texas-based EDP Renewables North America's proposal to build a $613 million wind farm of 250 megawatts in the unorganized territory. Missouri-based SunEdison's 148-megawatt, $360 million wind project in Oakfi eld brought nearly 300 construction jobs. APP is leading a grassroots eff ort to advance the forest products sector as a "cluster" with strong potential for adding good-paying jobs in e County, driven by new home con- struction nationwide, says Dorsey. " e challenge is that, every time you hear a 60-year-old mill is shut- ting down, the perception is that the forest industry is dying," Dorsey says. "But that's not the case. Up here, it's growing." Recent developments include J.D. Irving Ltd.'s state-of- the-art softwood sawmill in Ashland, a $30 million investment that opened in 2014; ReEnergy Holdings resump- tion of full operations in late 2014 at its biomass-to-electricity facility in Ashland; Quebec-based Maibec Inc.'s purchase in January 2015 of Fraser Timber LLC's lumber mill in Masardis; and cedar shingle-maker Ecoshel's relocation from Georgia and construction of a mill in Ashland. Manufacturing appears to be steadily growing, with more than 350 new jobs projected over the next few years, Dorsey says. is includes a potential deal by Beijing-based China North Industries Group Corp., or Norinco, to bring rail car manufacturing to the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone. "We have high hopes for that," Dorsey says. Diversifi ed agriculture is a focus because of the potential of the county's approximately quarter million acres of underutilized land, says Dorsey. Maine, led by Aroostook County, once produced more potatoes than any other state in the nation. Acreage for potato production today is about half what it was, but in recent years, the loss has been partially off set by eff orts to diversify into other crops, the largest of which is broccoli, and into grains and organic food production. "I'm getting calls from folks out- side of New England seeking acreage to grow organic produce and grains," he says. " ere's more than just pota- toes growing up here." To round out their initiatives, APP is bringing educators into the mix. APP's "Education to Industry" initiative pro- motes job shadowing and internships to show middle, high school and college students there are good jobs available in the region, with the goal of stemming their outward migration. In tandem, colleges are tailoring programs to suit local industry, he says. "We're trying to attract folks back to e County," Dorsey says. "A num- ber have come back in the last few years, but oftentimes, the perception is, 'I'll come back when I retire, because there are not many jobs there.' We're trying to dispel that perception." L a U r i e S C H r e i b e r , a w r i t e r b a s e d i n B a s s H a r b o r, c a n b e r e a c h e d a t e d i t o r i a l @ m a i n e b i z . b i z Caribou offers the right combination of assets when choosing a location to expand your existing business or relocate your firm: • Being at the pivotal market place for Maine and to break into the Canadian market place • A team of experts that can help in every stage of business planning for new businesses, business expansion, and to help take any business to the next level • A combination of tax incentives, financing options, and land opportunities that are hard to beat • A well trained workforce that is ready to work • Easy access to a number of higher education opportunities to assist with employee development and growth Visit GrowInCaribou.com or contact Austin Bleess at 207-493-5962 to find out more. Grow In Caribou! The place to live, work, and play in Maine. ATTN: BUSINESS OWNERS & MANAGERS: Save $$$ on your company's heating AND AC bills!!! The ductless heat pump The latest technology is typically 1/2 the cost of heating with oil, propane, kerosene or electric baseboard Save up to 35% on your company's energy consumption One unit provides heating and cooling with easy zone installation Low cost heating in the Winter AND efficient AC in the Summer Provides improved air quality Call Maine Electrical Alliance today! 1-888-666-1947 MaineElectricalAlliance.org Some restrictions may apply $ 1600 for commercial installs!! *Efficiency Maine — up to $1250 in rebates *Maine Electrical Alliance — up to $350 in rebates SAVE up to

• Cover