Baldacci thanks Chambers of Commerce executives for helping drive Maine’s economy.
AUBURN – It took Gov. John Baldacci about 15 minutes to reassure everyone gathered at a statewide assembly of Chambers of Commerce executives that he was truly OK after his car accident last week.
“I had my brain examined and they say it’s OK,” said the governor as he greeted Catherine Glover, president of the Maine Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
“This came as a complete surprise to the Legislature,” he joked.
Kidding aside, the governor then greeted the 20 or so executives who represent Chambers from across the state and who came to the Hilton Garden Inn to attend the MACCE winter meeting.
The association sponsors three professional development sessions a year for Chamber directors; this was the first time a session had been hosted in the L-A area for many years.
“Since all the Chambers are nonprofits, this gives everyone a chance to exchange great ideas for fund-raisers, and to network, of course,” said Glover.
The governor tapped into that exchange. He thanked the Chamber executives for their work in helping drive Maine’s economy, then made a few remarks about tax reform, health care and regionalization. Next, he asked the if the Chamber executives had any questions or suggestions.
Rick Stanley, president of the Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce, said many smaller companies have approached him about relocating to the Sanford area in the wake of the attention the city drew over its casino proposal. But they lack the capital to move.
“They don’t need the incentives that drive a larger company like Fairchild,” he said, offering Pine Tree Zones and TIFs as examples.
“The state doesn’t have a relocation fund to tap for $100,000 to help a company with 20-30 employees come to Maine,” he added.
Baldacci said it was a good idea and encouraged him to draw up a pilot project for a Pine Tree Zone or Empowerment Zone initiative, adding there could be potential for a state matching program.
“I’d look at that as something that could pay for itself,” said Baldacci.
The governor was then off to the Central Maine Civic Center to drop the puck for a game between the Lewiston Maineiacs and the Quebec Remparts where he planned on making an announcement about his upcoming trade mission to Quebec.
But before the governor left the Hilton, local Chamber President Chip Morrison advised him not to fall on the ice.
“It wouldn’t hurt anyway,” quipped the governor, as he knocked on his head. “Solid Italian granite.”
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