Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A local business was recognized for its contribution to the economic base of the Star City during the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Annual Recognition Dinner held March 2 at the Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center.
Lowe’s Home Improvement Center, located on Maysville Street, was the latest recipient of the Economic Development Award – an honor presented to recipients as deemed appropriate. One of the most recent recipients of the award, according to Chamber Executive Director Allen Deeves, was Brian Hamel and the Loring Development Authority.
“The LDA was a member of the Chamber and received the honor. That’s one of the most recent cases,” said Deeves.
Presenting this year’s award to Rodney Wohlford, manager of the Presque Isle store, was Ken Arndt, Presque Isle’s planning director.
“This is an exciting evening,” said Arndt, describing the city as being in a, “psychological mode of growth.”
“This is great for the community,” Arndt continued, explaining a bit about the history of Lowe’s approaching the city in 2002, with demolition of the theater and construction of the new building taking place in 2006. “The cost of the 147,000 square foot project was nearly $150,000,000. The store employs 90 full-time and 30 part-time staff.”
Arndt indicated Lowe’s commitment to the community will enhance future business prospects.
“This was a huge expression of confidence in Presque Isle. I think it creates an atmosphere promoting pride in the community, with benefits to the mall property itself. It’s important we recognize Lowe’s,” said Arndt, adding, “the rising tide carries all boats. On behalf of the PIACC, we welcome you to Northern Maine.”
With that, Wohlford made his way to the podium to accept the award on behalf of Lowe’s.
“I’m proud to be here. I’ve lived in 13 different communities, some smaller than Presque Isle to ones as large as Philadelphia,” said Wohlford. “Presque Isle is the best place I’ve ever been in in my life.”
Wohlford said the welcome he and his staff have received at the new facility has been “phenomenal.”
“Lowe’s stands for something that means something but it’s the County people working there that makes it successful. We’ll continue to try to work with communities,” said Wohlford, explaining how he and staff took part in a Habitat for Humanity project in Fort Fairfield last fall and how the store is currently working with Mapleton Elementary School on a project.
“We’re (Lowe’s) working on a project with Mapleton Elementary School through our Toolbox for Education program – a $5,000 grant for an upgrade at the school,” said Wohlford. “We want to take an active role in being part of our community. Working on these projects allows us to do that.”
Upon completion of his speech, Wohlford was presented by Arndt with a framed photo depicting an historic scene from downtown Presque Isle.
