FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine – A construction crew has been working at a feverish pace to adapt a downtown building, following the announcement last week that I Care Pharmacy had begun providing services to MaineCare clients once served by PIN Rx, a mail-order pharmacy formerly operated by the Penobscot Indian Nation, based at Indian Island, near Old Town. I Care owners Jerry Tanner and Terry Greenier also announced they would be opening a facility at 227 Main Street in Fort Fairfield, creating approximately 40 jobs and a $9 million investment to Aroostook County.
“We’ve (Tanner and Greenier) been considering expanding our Alaska operation to Northern Maine. This was sooner than we expected to do so, but the opportunity arose and we decided to take it,” said Tanner, president and co-owner of I Care Pharmacy.
Within a week, Tanner said he had a staff of about 10 employees and four pharmacists at the Indian Island facility, ready to serve customers.
“We hit the ground running. Fortunately, we have experience in this type of business and were able to make a smooth transition,” said Tanner.
Walt Elish, president and CEO of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, was instrumental in working with Tanner and Greenier to put the deal together, said Tanner.
“We worked with Walt. I told him what I wanted to do and he helped make it happen. It’s not like we’re reinventing the wheel. It’s what we do for a living. That’s the main thing,” said Tanner, referring to the multi-million dollar facility he and Tanner operate in Alaska – a business that ranked 18th in Inc. 500 in 2006 for smaller, privately owned companies in the U.S.
Working with PIN Rx and state officials, an agreement was reached earlier this month for the company to switch hands.
“The opportunity came along so we worked with PIN Rx and the state – came to an agreement and took over March 12. As of the end of business March 16, we’re happy to announce we’re current,” said Tanner. “It took just five days to make the transition.”
Tanner said his company’s main concern was getting medications in the hands of those who needed them.
“Some Maine residents were out of their medications. Once we got the products in, it was our primary goal to get them to those in need as quickly as possible. Since there was a chance many were out of their medications, we opted to overnight shipments,” said Tanner. “We take our job very seriously.”
Tanner said he was pleased with the efforts of all involved for making the process a smooth one.
“We give thanks where thanks is due. We’re pleased with the pharmacy and staff there. They stepped up to the plate. We appreciate their dedication and hard work,” said Tanner.
The Fort Fairfield division will do much of the same type of work, filling and shipping prescriptions in a timely manner. Tanner said while a couple positions will be offered to individuals currently employed by the company, the remaining positions will be offered to Aroostook County residents.
“We’ll need a few trained individuals with prior experience. The rest will be hired locally from Aroostook County. By hiring locally, we’re helping the local economy,” said Tanner.
Tanner explained that while the initial investment in the company is around $9 million, the majority of that money would be staying within the County.
“It’s staying here. The average dollar recycles in a community about seven times. Picture the impact $9 million will have on the County, based on that average,” he said.
Tanner is hoping other companies will begin looking at Aroostook County, following his lead. As the County’s business base grows, Tanner said so too will the standard of living.
“For the working class, the standard of living will improve. Bringing new businesses to the area will create a positive impact for our communities as a whole,” said Tanner.
Tanner indicated it wouldn’t just be his staff benefiting.
“Merchants throughout the County will benefit, as employees spend their money. In addition to a paycheck, staff will have access to benefits,” said Tanner.
Describing it as a “win-win situation,” Tanner explained that other merchants would benefit in the County through the growth in spendable income.
Work at the Fort Fairfield facility is currently being performed by A & L Construction, of Presque Isle.
“Rick Nadeau did such a good job at the Pub (Irish Setter), we decided to use his company on the new project,” said Tanner. “The crew is doing a great job and we expect to be up and running by mid-April.”
Tanner said the new business will be equipped with top-of-the-line security equipment.
“It will be like Fort Knox, with state-of-the-art keypad entry steel doors, motion sensors, security glass and more,” said Tanner.
With more and more people in the senior citizen age group and more needing medications, business has grown for businesses providing mail-order service.
“It’s convenient. Folks don’t have to get out in bad weather to fill prescriptions; with one phone call, an order can be placed and shipped directly to their homes. It will also save money. Where some pharmacies only fill prescriptions for a 30-day supply, we’ll fill up to 90 days. When you consider the money saved in co-pays – three 30-day supplies would have three co-pays, while our system would require only one co-pay – that’s a considerable amount of money over time,” said Tanner. “Our business is basically designed for those who have difficulty getting out.”
Another benefit, according to Tanner, is the reduction of paperwork for insurance companies.
Pharmacists will also be available to answer questions and explain drug interactions.
The Fort Fairfield facility is considered stage one of a three-stage plan. Limestone has been selected as the site for phase two and will handle business similar to the Fort Fairfield division. Phase three is expected to be put into play within a few years.
“We’d like to open a distribution center similar to our business in Alaska. That would be phase three. It’s still in the planning stage and wouldn’t happen for two or three years,” said Tanner.
Elish said the new business was just one more positive selling point for him as he tries to market Aroostook County to other businesses.
“This is wonderful news, not just for Fort Fairfield but for all of Aroostook County. Jerry and Terry know this business and know what they’re doing. That’s what made the transition so easy with PIN Rx. They stepped in and within a matter of days took over. This is just the beginning. They have some wonderful ideas for the future as well,” said Elish.
A resident of Fort Fairfield, Tanner said he wanted to help Aroostook County communities expand and grow.
“We’re trying to help all of Aroostook County. We’re part of Aroostook County and its communities. This is where we call home,” said Tanner. “This is where we want to expand our business and create jobs for members of those communities.”
