PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The PROBUS Club of Aroostook welcomed Kimberly Smith, resource development and public information officer for the city of Presque Isle as its speaker on Nov. 17.
Smith updated the club on numerous happenings in Presque Isle.
Smith’s primary presentation was on the new aerospace research park planned at Presque Isle International Airport. The infrastructure, road access and first hangar will be funded by the newly awarded $4,503,302 Economic Development Administration grant.
The 70-acre park has already signed its first long-term tenant, VALT. VALT, short for Vertical Air-Breathing Launch Technology, develops hypersonic vehicles to deploy satellites into orbit. The aerospace company is already renting space from the airport at the General Aviation hangar.
The aerospace park will have an enormous economic impact on the area, Smith said. VALT currently employs about 14 people, but within the next year expects to expand to 140. With the addition of employees of the other planned 10 hangars, the number of new jobs could total over 400. In addition, private investment and government defense contracts could bring almost $40 million to Presque Isle.
Another important impact would be the potential increase in per capita income and educational level, she said. Presently, Aroostook County’s median income is $25,477; Presque Isle’s is $27,927; and the U.S. median income is $34,103. The average aerospace defense worker makes $93,000 annually and an aerospace engineer’s average salary is $127,000.
In addition, VALT employs mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineers — all requiring college degrees. In the U.S., 32 percent of the population has a bachelor’s degree. In Aroostook County that number is 19.2 percent. The aerospace research park, when fully leased, has the potential to significantly impact all these numbers.
The club also heard about a possible new snowmobile museum, the potential expansion of the Presque Isle Air Museum, the city’s hosting of Maine Archives and Museum’s annual conference in 2023, as well as a national tour by the Antique Automobile Club of America. The area is also preparing for the influx of thousands expected in April 2024 for the viewing of the total solar eclipse.
A short business meeting led by Ginny Joles followed. Dick Engels was welcomed as a new member. The group discussed potential members to be considered for nomination to a slate of officers next month.
Janet Snowe closed the meeting with a short reading of “Write it on Your Heart” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
PROBUS is a Rotary-Club-sponsored community service program to provide an avenue for semi-retired and retired people to meet and expand their interests. PROBUS Club of Aroostook activities are directed primarily to provide fellowship and networking.
The Club is non-political, non-sectarian, and is not a fundraising organization. Each year the membership supports a $500 scholarship to a local student attending Northern Maine Community College.
The next PROBUS Club meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. at Northern Maine Community College, Reed Commons. Guests are always welcome.
