LEWISTON — Black Bear Ladder opened 18 years ago on Pleasant Street, then a father-son operation that has grown to carry hundreds of ladders, seven kinds of caution tape, hard hats in nine colors, scaffolding and a host of safety equipment. It may be the only place to find a “Danger: Crane working overhead” sign […]
economic development
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Power line project offers prospect of better internet in rural Maine
FARMINGTON — A possible benefit of the proposed $950 million hydropower transmission line between the Canadian border and Lewiston is the opportunity it offers to extend high-speed internet into more of rural Maine. Central Maine Power plans to include fiber-optic strands atop its transmission towers, with on-and-off ramps every 3 to 5 miles that would […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Lewiston-Auburn issues nearly $94 million in commercial permits in past year
A new elementary school. Housing developments. Dozens of additions, remodels and new builds from the ground up — they have all happened here. The Twin Cities combined to issue nearly $94 million in commercial building permits over the past 12 months, according to records from Lewiston and Auburn’s planning departments. Since July 2017, Auburn has […]
Posted inOxford Hills
Paris selectmen consider magazine to promote economic development
PARIS — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Monday evening to look into promoting the benefits of living in Paris. The issue arose after Selectman Gary Vaughn said he did not think the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce represented the town well in one of its recent magazines. “I truly believe that we’d have a lot […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Lewiston state senator questions tax breaks for Carbonite
AUGUSTA — A state senator said it’s “really inappropriate” for Carbonite to slice its workforce in half over the past three years by shipping some jobs overseas while getting a state tax break for hiring in Maine. Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, said he was shocked Wednesday to read in the Sun Journal that Carbonite, a […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Educate young people about history of this community
Last year’s proposition to formally unite the governments of Lewiston and Auburn failed spectacularly and it is no wonder. The proponents waged a purely political campaign (which is to say, one of persuasion), trotting out endorsements from all of the local elite and appealing principally to community members’ pocket books. If a community were merely […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web, Uncategorized
Trump budget defunds agency that seeks to boost Maine's economy
A federal agency created to boost the fortunes of communities near the Canadian border with New York and New England faces extinction under President Donald Trump’s proposed federal spending plan. The agency, the Northern Border Regional Commission, was created in 2008 to promote jobs and opportunity for those living in the northern reaches of the […]
Posted inFranklin
Commissioners consider subcontracting economic development services
FARMINGTON — In an effort to seek new leadership and have stable funding, members of the Greater Franklin Development Council have asked Franklin County commissioners to consider another funding model. Council members suggested subcontracting for the council’s services. Currently the organization’s request for funding goes under the program grants in the county budget. For several […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn hears both sides of Economic Development issue
AUBURN — Monday night was the first chance residents and councilors alike had to glimpse a new city planning and economic development structure. According to Eric Cousens, the deputy director under the new structure, Auburn’s new Economic and Community Development Department would try to streamline city actions in three areas: planning and code enforcement, economic development and […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Peru selectmen asked about economic development sites
PERU — A program manager with Community Concepts met with the Board of Selectmen on Monday evening at the Town Office to discuss economic development opportunities for the town. Mia Purcell, program manager of economic development in Oxford County for Community Concepts Finance Corporation, said she does not have a staff, which made it difficult […]