Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — The Loring Development Authority (LDA) met on Dec. 10 for their Board of Trustees Meeting. A wide range of topics were discussed, many included the possibility of bringing new businesses to Loring. Over 1,500 individuals are currently employed through various businesses at Loring, a number that has increased at an annual rate of 100 per year since 1994. The LDA is currently working toward making Loring a center for development and flight testing of unmanned aircraft. Currently, most testing is done in the Southwest; bringing aviation development and testing to the area would provide potential businesses with an East Coast base of operations. There are many details still to be worked out, but the LDA is hard at work in bringing this genre of business to The County.
Talks are also under way of the possibility of doing some sort of educational collaboration with the University of Maine to provide training in areas needed for aviation, although no further information is available at this time regarding any potential collaboration.
There were also discussions regarding the possibility of developing a potato processing plant at Loring.
The LDA also took time to recognize the new director of the Limestone Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) site, Wayne Ingle. Among other quality experiences, Ingle was previously director of DFAS Japan for eight years.
Financial discussions were also conducted at the meeting, including talks of lease payments, budget cuts, and specialized fire services for the Loring Job Corps Center.
The LDA was also asked by the U.S. Economic Development Administration to identify potential projects that would become part of a possible national economic stimulus program. In response, the LDA compiled ideas for the administration that included street resurfacing, updating and maintaining Loring’s sewers, demolishing substandard buildings, and reestablishing rail services.
Updates were given on the wastewater initiative with the Limestone Water and Sewer district and water plant upgrades.
Other issues discussed including property tax valuations, Cary Medical Center/Pines lease renewal, and a delay in the refurbishing of an aircraft.
