OXFORD – Gov. John Baldacci spent much of Friday in Oxford County, visiting the manufacturer’s housing show and then attending a ceremony marking the expansion of the Bethel Airport.

“Traffic generates traffic,” he told a group of 30 people who gathered for his presentation in Oxford.

The governor was referring to the joining of seven competitive housing manufacturers to hold the show from April 25-27. The seven participants were Alternative Modular Homes, Keiser Industries, Maine Home Center, Maine HomeCrafters, Oxford Homes, Schaivi Homes and Twin Town Homes. All businesses are located within a 3-mile radius on Routes 26 and 121.

He praised the home manufacturers, noting the hard work required to be on the cutting edge of manufactured housing. Baldacci called Oxford Hills the center of manufactured housing in New England.

He also said Maine is facing difficult challenges in the areas of health care and taxes.

“We have the state pointed in the direction we need and we have to stay on that track,” Baldacci said. “That’s how we do things in Maine. The elections are over and now we need people to work together and let’s solve issues.”

The governor toured the Oxford Public Safety Building, where his opening remarks were made. He then toured the Maine Home Center on Route 26.

His suggestion they might be able to do something with the Blaine House drew a chuckle from the manufacturers.

Baldacci was also the featured speaker at the Bethel Regional Airport special dedication ceremony. The event was held to highlight recent improvements, including a nearly 700-foot expansion of the previous runway.

The Airport Authority extended the runway from 3,147 to 3,818 feet and widened it by 60 feet. The cost of the project was approximately $2.8 million.

jsmedley@sunjournal.com

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