By Kelly Morgan,Staff Writer

PARIS – EnterpriseMaine has released its 2004 annual report and has begun a round of funding requests for 2005.

Barbara Olson, who represents one of EnterpriseMaine’s five affiliates, the Growth Council of Oxford Hills, appeared at a Paris Board of Selectmen meeting Monday to request $12,000 in funding.

The money would be used to support the growth council, which does not generate its own revenue, Olson said. “So the appropriation we are asking for from you this year will directly support business development and community development.”

According to EnterpriseMaine’s Web site, the growth council provides business development services in the Oxford Hills region and improves “business competitiveness and quality of life through targeted infrastructure, community and work force improvements.”

Olson said EnterpriseMaine and its affiliates in 2004 created 430 new jobs and helped the region retain more than 1,000 jobs.

The opening of the Western Maine University, Community College and Career Center on Route 26 in Paris was a major accomplishment last year, she said. There also was a successful effort to bring $16 million in improvements to Route 26, the region’s main artery.

Parts of Poland and New Gloucester that were affected by the improvements may be outside the Oxford Hills region, Olson said, but betterment of a major entryway will help local business.

Also, Olson said, the group of affiliates has launched a campaign to attract a permanent L.L. Bean call center to the region. “I can tell you, we have not received a decline letter from them, so that’s very good news,” she said.

Selectman Bruce Hanson, board vice chairman, asked Olson about a micro-loan program the board discussed last September with Bob Shinners, vice president of EnterpriseMaine affiliate Western Maine Finance.

Shinners said a $100,000 revolving loan fund to assist businesses in the eight-town Oxford Hills region could be established within a month.

“It just seems like it’s dragging along,” Hanson told Olson Monday.

Olson said she has been assured a related agreement is being worked out with an attorney.

Selectman Barbara Payne asked how many jobs have been lost in the region.

“We don’t track jobs lost,” Olson said.