Staff Writer
ASHLAND — A meeting scheduled Feb. 12 to discuss issues pertaining to the recent closure of Fraser Papers Inc.’s mills in Masardis and Ashland has been indefinitely postponed but talks continue elsewhere to find a solution that will help get both facilities back on track and employees back to work. “We met with Fraser (officials) this morning,” said Town Manager Jim Gardner during a phone interview Thursday. “I went to Augusta yesterday and met with Gov. Baldacci and Rosaire Pelletier to discuss what can and is being done to solve this problem.”
Gardner said talks with Baldacci and Pelletier included looking at savings and options that would be possible through the Pine Tree Development Zone Program.
The PTDZ Program offers eligible businesses the chance to greatly reduce or virtually eliminate state taxes for up to 10 years. The program’s goals include creating quality jobs in targeted industries located in geographic areas with high unemployment and low wages. The Zones offer 30,000 acres in over 100 communities. Eligible sectors include manufacturing, including precision manufacturing technology. As of the fall of 2004, eight zones were designated as eligible locations in the state, including Aroostook County. NorthEast Pellets LLC, of Ashland, is one of several businesses the program has helped locally.
Gardner said a lot is also riding on what happens in Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks and months.
“A lot will depend on President Barack Obama’s stimulus package and what that entails for Maine and its communities,” said Gardner.
Plans are being made to reschedule the meeting at some point in the future.
“We’re waiting for Torry Eaton (director of CareerCenter Employment Services) to reschedule,” said Gardner.
For more information, contact Eaton at 760-6300 or Gardner at 435-2311.