Staff Writer
An organization formed more than 20 years ago to promote Aroostook County’s economic development has experienced some changes in order to offer a more energized picture of opportunity in northern Maine. Principles of Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development addressed the Caribou Rotary Club last week regarding its new focus. Executive Director Walt Elish and LEAD President Nate Berry discussed new activities and revived older ones during the noontime presentation.
Once an independent organization, LEAD has been taken under the umbrella of Northern Maine Development Commission and Aroostook Partners for Progress, which is located at NMDC’s offices in Caribou.
According to Berry, the 2008 schedule includes a “re-energized” work plan and list of activities that will provide value for its dues-paying membership.
“We need to get the word out there on different issues,” said Berry.
Included in that work plan is actively tracking legislative issues, a pursuit that waned in the late 1990s and early 2000s, according to Elish. However, that activity is back on LEAD’s table.
“Things are happening in Augusta that keep us pretty busy,” sad Elish.
As part of that tracking, the LEAD board plans to take positions on hot topics such as a proposed new electrical transmission line between Aroostook County and the rest of the state and the various segments of a proposed north-south highway.
Elish cited other activities that LEAD will promote including Aroostook Day at the Legislature and Governor’s Day in Aroostook. The latter event will be held June 13th in conjunction with LEAD’s and APP’s annual meeting, according to Elish.
Business workshops are planned for May 6 and 7 in order to help local business procure federal contracts.
“We’re going to continue to do things like this,” said Elish.
The LEAD executive also encouraged Rotary members, who aren’t LEAD members, to consider joining the organization.
Elish, who is also chairman of the Presque Isle City Council, was asked about a recent letter to the editor that questioned whether a bypass should be built around Presque Isle. Elish said he hadn’t read the letter, but said that it was “imperative” that the bypass by constructed.
“I look at the bigger picture,” Elish said. “I look at the region.”
If either McCain Foods or J.M. Huber Corp. in Easton closed it would have a devastating effect on Presque Isle even though the companies aren’t located in the city, Elish said.
In answer to another question, Elish said that LEAD officials have approached neighboring Canadian officials about joint marketing programs. Another questioner asked whether with about 72,000 in total county residents living in about 70 municipalities, has there been any thought to consolidation to reduce costs. Elish said it could be examined.
“We could take Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Fairfield and name the city Aroostook,” quipped one Rotarian.
