| Plum Creek Plan Newsletter |
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Coalition to Preserve and Grow Northern Maine Coalition Newsletter - Issue Number 98 Chair: Jim Batey, Somerset Economic Development Corporation Treasurer: Diane Bartley, DKB Catering, Greenville Secretary: Carolann Ouellette, Moose Point Tavern, Jackman Happy Summer! Interveners Line Up For LURC Hearings on Plum Creek Plan LURC expects to schedule about 10 hearings and work sessions spread over several weeks in locations around the state. The list of groups that have filed a Petition to Intervene with LURC on the Plum Creek application is as follows:
Read the Revised Plum Creek Plan Tax Reform Bill Fails Earlier this month, a majority of the Taxation Committee had endorsed a package that supporters said would cut taxes overall for Maine residents by a little more than $140 million, largely by shifting more of the current state tax burden to nonresidents. That package would have lowered the top income tax rate in the current multi-tier system from 8.5% to a flat 6% for all. The general sales tax rate would have been held steady at 5%, but expanded to include numerous services not currently covered. To provide property tax relief, a homestead exemption would have been increased, and a property tax and rent rebate program known as the "Circuit Breaker" expanded. Business group opposition to the Taxation Committee package was widespread. An amended version of the original package failed to pass and was put on hold with the potential for a special session that possibly could be held in the fall. Domtar Idles Paper Machine Again The mill has about 500 workers and the move will idle about 90 employees indefinitely. Although the paper machine is down, the production of pulp - the raw material that Domtar ships worldwide and that is used in the papermaking process - will continue. Domtar, based in Montreal, is the third-largest producer of uncoated, free-sheet paper in North America. It is also a leading manufacturer of business papers, commercial printing and publication papers, and technical and specialty papers. The company blamed the latest shutdown on poor market conditions. In previous shutdowns, some workers have been kept on board to do maintenance. But not this time. The company will be asking employees to take vacation time if possible. The paper machine will run through June 24th and will conclude on the 25th. There is no announced restart date. Interface Sells Fabric Division The buyer, Florida-based private investment firm Sun Capital Partners, is expected to pay as much as $70 million for the fabrics division, InterfaceFABRIC, which includes the Guilford of Maine, Chatham and Terratex brands. The fabric division employs roughly 500 people in Maine. The deal is the latest in a string of acquisitions by Sun Capital, which earlier this week agreed to spend $337 million to purchase the Friendly Ice Cream restaurant chain. The Interface deal is expected to close this fall. Can Am Gets Money For Promotion The money must be spent in 2007. Organizers hope to create a video of the races, clips that can be used in Boston and beyond. Besides using television, they hope to advertise on radio and in major newspapers. The Northern Maine Development Commission helped the Can-Am group write the grant proposal. Attracting more people from out of state to the Can-Am would be good for all of Maine since visitors must travel the length of the state to get to Fort Kent. They will have to stop for food and gas or stay overnight along the way. If the advertising effort is deemed successful, the group could get more funds in future years to further boost tourism in the area. The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race is actually three races - a 30-miler, a 60-miler and the 250-mile classic - held each year during the first weekend in March. Next year's race will be on March 16th. Can-Am will start taking registrations from mushers on Aug. 15th. Last year, the 90 team slots for the three races were filled within one week with mushers from throughout the northern states and many Canadian provinces. More than $40,000 in prizes is up for grabs in the three races. The committee raises $80,000 each year from more than 50 sponsors to pay for the prizes and cover the expenses for putting on the races. Greenville High Honored email: info@preservegrowme.org |
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