The group has been trying to find parcels of land that could be designated for the tax breaks.
By Gail Geraghty
Staff Writer

OXFORD – It’s just another economic development tool, but it could be one to make a big difference.

That’s why the Growth Council of Oxford Hills has been working diligently over the past month to identify parcels of land in Oxford Hills towns that could be designated by the state as Pine Tree Development Zones.

Growth Council Vice President Barb Olson was at the selectmen’s meeting Thursday to show them which parcels have been selected for Oxford. Ron Kugell, head of the town’s Economic Development Committee, said the committee strongly favors the work the growth council has been doing on behalf of the town.

Olson said the rules for the program have already designated the Androscoggin Valley region as meeting the Pine Tree Zone criteria of higher-than-average unemployment and lower-than-average wages. The advantages are greater for businesses establishing a new building, but any existing business that undergoes an expansion also gains in becoming eligible for breaks on sales taxes and corporate income tax credits.

“We see this as just another tool we can use” to revitalize the economy in the Oxford Hills region, Olson said.

Among specific Oxford properties included for potential designation as Pine Tree Development Zones are the proposed Oxford Business Park, the Oxford County Regional Airport, land on Route 26 owned by the University of Maine, Robinson’s Manufacturing in Oxford village, Schiavi’s industrial business park on the Roller Rink Road, National Wood Products, Cornwall Industries, Oxford Homes and Burlington Homes.

Selectman Mike Thompson expressed frustration about the recent announcement that the ICT Group, which has operated a telemarketing business on Route 26 since 1997, is moving its operation out of the country.

“When is it going to stop?” Thompson asked. Bringing industries in like ICT has created a “false economy” because they could pick up and leave at a moment’s notice, he said.

Olson said that is why the call center building was not included in the list of Pine Tree Development Zones.