OLD TOWN – Congressman Bruce Poliquin last week announced that he will be introducing legislation to revise an outdated law in Old Town to help attract businesses to the region and create jobs for the community.

According to a press release, Poliquin has been working closely with town officials from Old Town, local business leaders and officials from the Old Town Municipal Airport in developing legislation to remove outdated restrictions on land so businesses can grow there and bring new jobs to the community.

Recently, town officials and officials from the airport have expressed interest in developing portions of the land adjacent to the airport for commercial use to attract businesses. Multiple businesses have expressed interest in using the site, each bringing potential new jobs to the area; however, town officials recently discovered that antiquated restrictions exist that would prevent the site from being used for these businesses.

In 1937, Congress passed the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act, a law that authorized the federal government to acquire damaged lands for the purpose of rehabilitating the space for various programs, mostly related to farming. Some of the land purchased was in Old Town. In the early 1980’s, this land in Old Town was sold to be used as part of the Old Town Airport with the stipulation that it only be used strictly for that purpose, due to requirements in law under the Farm Tenant Act.

Poliquin’s bill would remove the deed restriction on the land completely so that the town and airport can move forward with the project of developing the land to attract and welcome new businesses and jobs to the area.