Aroostook, Washington counties plan economic development strategies
PHOTO / CITY OF PRESQUE ISLE, FACEBOOK
Presque Isle, in northern Aroostook County, abounds with outdoor recreation possibilities.
An economic development strategy is in the works to tackle the economic challenges faced by Aroostook and Washington counties, from their aging demographics to the impact of global industrial competition.
The Northern Maine Development Commission is inviting comment on its draft 2024-28 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Aroostook Washington Economic Development District.
The plan “is an important economic tool that reflects the vision and priorities of our communities and stakeholders,” said Jon Gulliver, the commission’s director of economic and community development. “It helps us leverage resources, foster collaboration and align our efforts with regional and national goals. We encourage everyone to review the draft CEDS and provide us with their feedback."
The five-year plan identifies economic challenges and opportunities, sets goals and objectives, and outlines strategies and projects to enhance the economic vitality and resilience of the district.
The plan is also intended to serve as a guide for federal, state and local investments in economic development.
Jonesport working waterfront
Last year, the commission identified one project that fits the bill.
The Jonesport working waterfront project is an initiative to revitalize the town's marine economy and culture by creating a hub for commercial fishing and aquaculture. The project aims to provide infrastructure, services and access for local fishermen and aquaculture operators, as well as educational and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The project involves acquiring a portion of the town-owned campground on Henry Point and developing it into a multi-use facility that includes a pier, boat ramp, fish processing plant, ice house, fuel station, gear storage area and public park.
The project also involves partnering with Kingfish Maine, a company that plans to build a land-based recirculating aquaculture system facility nearby, with the goal of producing yellowtail kingfish, a high-value species that can be sold to domestic and international markets. It’s expected the project will provide jobs, training and research opportunities for the community, resulting in positive impacts on the local economy, environment and social fabric.
According to the plan, additional benefits would include enhancing the viability and diversity of the local fishing industry, increasing tax revenues and property values, attracting new businesses and visitors, protecting water quality and marine habitats, preserving maritime heritage and traditions, and fostering civic engagement.
Pros and cons
The plan also provides an analysis of the economic strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for Aroostook and Washington counties.
Strengths include natural resources, geography close to Canada and Europe, Loring Commerce Centre, a bilingual population in the St. John Valley, access to outdoor recreation, quality of place, low crime, agency partnerships, colleges and universities, and housing affordability.
On the negative side, there are high energy costs, a slow rural broadband rollout, outmigration and a declining workforce, a low labor force participation rate, lower than state average wages, distance to large markets, lack of rail infrastructure connection to the Port of Eastport, lack of adequate housing and few day care options.
Additional challenges cited are the region’s aging population, climate change and its effects on the ocean and marine resources, drug abuse, and business relocation out of the region.
Opportunities
But the analysis suggests there are opportunities related to energy production, the aerospace industry, expanding and diversifying value-added wood products, expanding value-added processing of crops and marine resources, development at Loring Commerce Centre, expanded shipping opportunities at the Port of Eastport and leveraging its status as the deepest port on the East Coast, growing entrepreneurial opportunities, local food production, regional tourism, and building the population by attracting more remote workers.
Regional vision
Overall, the vision is to create economic growth by focusing on sectors that best leverage the region’s assets and by working to develop policies that promote private sector investment, while also retaining the quality of life that makes the region special.
The draft identifies promising avenues to economic growth as agriculture, forest resources, marine resources, tourism, manufacturing and renewable energy.
Draft goals
- Agriculture: 100 new farm businesses and jobs, increase value added production, increase net income to farmers by 10%, promote sustainable farming practices that conserve soil health, water resources and biodiversity.
- Forest products: Increase total value-added wood products manufacturing by 25%, increase the workforce, and create markets for wood waste.
- Marine resources: Grow Washington County marine-related employment by 200 jobs by 2028 through expansion of research, harvesting, processing and adaptation to climate changes.
- Tourism: By 2028, increase overall economic impact of tourism by 20%, total employment impact by 15%, length of stay by 0.5 nights, and number of non-peak season travelers by 12%.
- Manufacturing: Grow 200 jobs in manufacturing and attract at least five new manufacturing businesses to the region.
- Renewable energy: Realize 400 jobs by 2028.
- Entrepreneurship and access to capital: Leverage the commission’s Center for Business Growth and Sunrise County Economic Council’s Maine Street Business Building to help entrepreneurs get established or scale up.
- Broadband: Continue advocacy for the build of affordable fiber-optic internet infrastructure, support device programs and enhance digital literacy.
- Workforce development and housing: Continue to reinforce and leverage resources and tools within economic and workforce development.
The draft contains strategies and discussions for each goal.
The public comment period will run until March 30. Comments can be submitted to Jon Gulliver at jgulliver@nmdc.org.
To read the plan, click here.
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