CARIBOU — Officials with the Northern Maine Development Commission announced on Jan. 13 that Van Buren-based LaJoie Growers, LLC is yet another St. John Valley company to earned the prestigious Maine Pine Tree Development Zone certificate.
The Maine Pine Tree Development Zone (PTDZ) offers eligible business the chance to greatly reduce or virtually eliminate state taxes for up to 10 years.
“The process of securing the certification was a fair amount of work, however, once we made contact with the staff at the Northern Maine Development Commission, all the necessary steps quickly and easily fell into place,” said Jay LaJoie, one of the company’s executives. “They were knowledgeable about every detail and they were prompt with the information we needed to complete the Pine Tree Zone application and the necessary documents.”
A fifth generation fresh vegetable grower, the family business formed in 2007; the company plans to complete their expansion in Van Buren during 2012 with the goal of being operational for the upcoming growing season.
LaJoie Growers prides itself in growing a number of varieties of produce to supply vegetable chip processing companies and fresh markets throughout the country. The business also produces approximately 450 acres of small grains with a total agricultural production of about 900 acres in the St. John Valley.
“Our staff is pleased to have been of assistance to this fine company,” said Robert Clark, executive director of NMDC. “[LaJoie Growers LLC] represents the new paradigm in agri-business in northern Maine and we are pleased to have been able to help them in achieving this notable certificate.”
Some of the benefits of participaint in the PTDZ program include corporate and income tax credits, tax exemption on various purchases along with access to competitive energy rates.
Additional information on the PTDZ program can be obtained by visiting www.maine.gov/decd/mainebiz/pine_tree_zones/index.shtml or by contacting NMDC officials at 498-8736.
