Staff Writer
New officers were elected recently during the annual meeting of the Loring Development Authority of Maine. The panel also approved a $3 million budget to continue marketing and finding reuses for the sprawling former Air Force base. The LDA also welcomed a board member, who although has been part of the board for 16 months, attended his first meeting on June 11. John Richardson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, discussed his need to be more involved with the LDA and his vision of development around the state.
Kay Rand of Augusta, part of the law firm of Bernstein Shur Government Solutions, was elected as chairman of the board. Phil Parent of Van Buren was selected as vice chairman and Ed Therrian of Presque Isle was elected as treasurer. Phil Cyr of Caribou was elected as secretary.
Rand replaced James Donnelly, whose term expires in November. He has been on the board since November of 2004. Mary LeBlanc’s term also has expired and the reuse panel is awaiting a new appointment from the governor.
In presenting the budget during the June 11 session, LDA President Carl Flora said that this year’s spending plan “clearly illustrates the pressure heating fuel is having on our expense line. During the current fiscal year, the authority spent 18 percent more than it budgeted for fuel.
LDA officials budgeted $297,000 for fuel oil during the current year, but ended up spending $353,000.
A total of $88,000 has been budgeted for the next year’s spending plan, according to the budget proposal.
The agency plans to focus on energy conservation measures to curb usage. In addition, the LDA plans to look “with renewed interest” at alternative energy sources, such as wind, hydro or pellets to reduce dependence on oil.
On the revenue side, the LDA received a reduced amount of funding from the state. Last year, the state paid $283,000 toward the redevelopment effort. This year’s allocation dropped to $227,000.
However, other income from interest and personal property rose from $101,000 to $168,000. Lease revenues were up also to help balance the budget.
In his comments to the board, Commissioner Richardson explained that he also is a member, by statute, of the Finance Authority of Maine board and the Mid-Coast Regional Redevelopment Authority. At times, the LDA and the two other agencies have conflicting meetings.
“I’m sensing my attention is needed here as well as anywhere else,” said Richardson. “I don’t play favorites.”
The commissioner addressed the board on several topics, including energy concerns, technology and the state’s economy.
The highway of the 21st Century will be the “broadband” information highway, Richardson said. The Internet is so important to economic growth, he said.
Regarding the energy issue, Richardson said that the state is examining the re-emergence of rail transportation. In addition, a third deep water port is needed in the state, he said.
The commissioner urged the board member to read a recent study on “clusters,” which in economic terms means a collection of critical mass that creates and industry.
For example, the information technology industry is a cluster as well as the aviation refurbishment industry, both of which Loring can be part, Richardson said.
