2006-2007 Annual Report

2006-2007 Annual Report

In the News... Connect North America Brings Jobs to Presque Isle A New Brunswick-based telemarketing business selected the Presque Isle facility for its newest division and first stateside operation... -The Star-Herald, November 7, 2006 Fort Kent: New firm bringing 100 jobs to County Gov. John Baldacci joined officials from Synergy Solutions to announce the creation of 80 full-time jobs at the former MBNA building in Fort Kent... -The Bangor Daily News, March 5, 2007 PIN RX Sold; 40 Jobs Expected in County I Care Pharmacy, a mail-order pharmacy, will bring 40 new jobs and a $9 million investment to Aroostook County... -The Bangor Daily News, March 14, 2007 The Maine Development Foundation (MDF), during its annual meeting, announced that the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) and the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) were one of four recipients of MDF s 2006 Champions for Economic Development Award.

L e t t e r F r o m t h e C h a i r Aroostook County is more than just a place, more than any one city or any one attraction, and certainly, more than any one industry. What makes Aroostook County unique among areas to live and work is the combination of its diverse features, varied businesses opportunities and our ability to work together to achieve a common goal. The Partnership embodies this cooperative spirit as it is comprised of business and education leaders from all parts of the County working together to enhance the economy of northern Maine. In my role as Chair this past year, our focus has been to move forward with the Partnership s strategic priorities, including business development and regional marketing, identifying measureable results and strengthening our relationship with LEAD. As you will see in the pages of this annual report, the Partnership has made significant strides in these and other initiatives. I d like to highlight two key initiatives. Our regional marketing efforts proved their worth this past year when, as a result of our national network and APP board support, we were quickly able to attract new businesses to expand into the former MBNA facilities in Fort Kent and Presque Isle. Also, recognizing that northern New Brunswick and northern Maine have a lot of similarities, APP initiated discussions with Business New Brunswick about the possibility of developing and implementing a joint marketing initiative. Secondly, APP recognizes that successful economic development programs involve not only targeted business attraction and retention programs but also capacity building strategies. What makes Aroostook County unique among areas to live and work is the combination of its diverse features, varied businesses opportunities and our ability to work together to achieve a common goal. This past year, APP, in partnership with our three higher education institutions, hosted a workforce summit and met with the school superintendents to begin the discussion about northern Maine s current and future workforce. We also worked to strengthen our relationship with LEAD and enhance its role as the business advocacy entity in the County. These discussions will continue and I m confident that important strategic initiatives will be developed to address the present and future needs of our community. It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress this past year and I d like to take this opportunity to thank my APP colleagues who have generously given of their time and resources to keep the mission of this organization moving forward. Let s continue to work together to achieve prosperity for all of northern Maine. Sincerely, Kris Doody CEO Cary Medical Center www.appme.org 1

A P P O f f i c e r s a n d B o a r d M e m b e r s Kris Doody, Chair CEO Cary Medical Center Larry Shaw, Treasurer President & CEO MMG Robert P. Clark, Vice-Chair Executive Director NMDC Alan Landeen, Secretary Regional Manager Dead River Company Chris Anderson President F.A. Peabody Company Steve Gagnon Regional Manager KeyBank, NA Richard Daigle President Daigle Oil Company Virginia Joles Director of Eco. & Com. Dev. Maine Public Service Mike Fogarty President LEAD David Peterson President & CEO The Aroostook Medical Center Jon Prescott President & CEO Katahdin Trust Company James Thibodeau President Thibodeau Insurance Agency United Insurance Group Front L to R: Kris Doody, Jack Ginty, James Thibodeau & Virginia Joles Back L to R: Mike Fogarty, Steve Gagnon, Larry Shaw, Jon Prescott & Robert Clark Absent when photo was taken: Alan Landeen, Roger Tremblay, David Peterson, Chris Anderson & Richard Daigle Roger Tremblay Director of Operations Aroostook Newspapers I n v e s t o r s Acadia Federal Credit Union Aroostook Newspapers Cary Medical Center Cianbro Daigle Oil Company Dead River Company F.A. Peabody Company Fleet Bank Harry s Honda Mitsubishi and Motor Sports Katahdin Cedar Log Homes Katahdin Trust Company KeyBank, NA Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development Maine Public Service Company Maine Mutual Group Northern Maine Development Commission Sheridan Corporation S.W. Collins TD Banknorth The Aroostook Medical Center The County Federal Credit Union Thibodeau Insurance Agency- United Insurance Group Time Warner Cable 2

Ye a r 3 General Highlights Realized the retention and growth in investor base; Solidified MOU partner relationship with Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) and incorporated the organization into the APP business plan; Initiated discussions with high school and higher education institutions to address the region s current and future workforce needs; Continued enhancing the web site design and improved its utility. (see below) Targets: 600 Site location consultants, corporate real estate and business executives, resort developers and/or investors were targeted for regular communication Inquiries: 60 Unqualified inquiries that are generated from APP marketing or business development activities Leads: 45 Legitimate lead or long-term projects lacking some key elements for reclassification to a higher status Prospects: 12 Extensive research and qualification legitimate enterprises with definite expansion/relocation plans www.appme.org 3

L e t t e r F r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t & C E O Aroostook County is a quality place to live, work, and do business; rich with a diverse economy, talent, top-notch schools, cultural assets, and vibrant local neighborhoods. Our region has unique qualities that distinguish it from the rest of Maine in ways that make it attractive and refreshing. With wide open spaces, a rich and varied history, and a can do spirit, we look for solutions to most any situation in order to keep Aroostook County the shining crown jewel of Maine. However, in a worldis-flat environment, the opportunities and challenges that impact the economy of northern Maine are felt deeply each and every day. Businesses are looking for a productive labor force and cost-efficient solutions just to remain competitive. Some businesses are investing in their infrastructure, while others are downsizing in order to remain competitive. The Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) and an affiliate organization, Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD), are attempting to address these issues. LEAD, an advocacy group, has been working tirelessly since 1986 to ensure that businesses remain competitive while operating in northern Maine. At the same time, APP, the County s driving force in marketing Several key projects demonstrate the effectiveness of the Partnership and our ability to bring together a number of entities to produce success for the region. the region, works to promote northern Maine as an attractive place for capital investments and quality jobs. APP s team efforts, in 2006-2007, resulted in the attraction of approximately 500 new jobs and $3 million in new investment to northern Maine. Several key projects demonstrate the effectiveness of the Partnership and our ability to bring together a number of entities to produce success for the region. APP continues to pursue resort development initiatives for the region and work with our educational institutions to address current and future workforce needs. With more than twenty-five supporting companies and investors, and nearly one hundred member businesses of LEAD, the Partnership provides valuable connections and support for future business growth and innovation. Please review this report for more details and feel free to contact APP with any suggestions you may have. Walter J. Elish 4

G o a l Attract 1,500 net new jobs and $50 million in new investment within four years. APP s marketing business attraction program comprises a two-pronged approach focusing on (1) contacting targeted industry executives and business influencers, as well as, (2) developing and pursuing specific projects that have the potential to bring significant investment to northern Maine. This approach ensures that our resources are targeted to specific industries and businesses that have the best possibilities for northern Maine. APP s aggressive marketing and development activities proved once again to be successful this past year. APP s proactive approach led to successful business attraction projects in Presque Isle, Fort Kent and Fort Fairfield. These projects M a r k e t i n g A c t i v i t i e s F Y 2 0 0 6 have the potential to create approximately 500 new jobs in northern Maine. Since its inception, APP has been involved in projects that resulted in the retention of approximately 650 jobs, the creation of approximately 1,000 additional jobs and investment of approximately $115 million. In addition, our resort marketing initiative continues to attract interested parties. Site visits were made by a number of companies and articles were published in three national resort journals. It is APP s intent to work to meet the above goals as well as develop and implement a sustained economic development process that assures new jobs and investment will be continuously sought after and created. The Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) is a regional public-private partnership focused on aggressive results-oriented economic development actions that leverage the financial commitments and talents of the private sector in close partnership with the public sector. Dedicated staff is provided through NMDC; effectively providing close coordination between APP economic activities and resources from other NMDC divisions. Marketing Activities and Initiatives included: 1. Targeted industry and business influencers initiative: Placed ads in various targeted publications to promote northern Maine to business executives, site location consultants and resort developers; Mailed 1,500 packets to targeted industries; Hosted Showcase Aroostook events for business prospects; Secured news articles and editorial placements in local, state and national media; Enhanced the APP web site. 2. Significant projects identified and pursued by the APP team: The attraction of an airplane maintenance facility; The attraction and development of a value-added wood products business; The attraction of a resort development; The attraction and development of a food processing facility. www.appme.org 5

S u c c e s s e s I Care Pharmacy - Ft. Fairfield Jobs Created: 40 Jobs Retained: 0 Investment: n/a Project Type: New Development Public Sector Investment: $0 Public Partners: APP, NMDC, Ft. Fairfield Synergy Solutions - Ft. Kent Jobs Created: 150 Jobs Retained: 0 Investment: n/a Public Sector Investment: $500,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC, NMFC, Ft. Kent, MRDA New Jobs Attracted: 513 P r o j e c t s i n P r o c e s s Call Center Potential Jobs Created: 120 pt. time Investment: $500,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC Manufacturing/Assembly Potential Jobs Created: 500+ Investment: $65,000,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC Service Center Potential Jobs Created: 50 Investment: $500,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC Potential New Jobs: 920 O u r C o l l e a g u e s A quick note of thanks for your efforts in getting a tenant in the FK MBNA building. Although the politicians get all the thanks and glory, some of us know who s on the front line. - Anonymous 6

Connect North America - Presque Isle Jobs Created: 300 Jobs Retained: 0 Investment: $500,000 Public Sector Investment: $1,000,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC, NMFC, PI, PIDF, DECD, MRDA Starch Partners Inc. - Ft. Fairfield Jobs Created: 23 Jobs Retained: n/a Investment: $3,300,000 Project Type: New Development Public Sector Investment: $1,000,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC, SBA, Ft. Fairfield New Investment: $3.8 million Public Investment: $2.5 million Food Processing Potential Jobs Created: 100 Investment: $40,000,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC Food Processing Potential Jobs Created: 150 Investment: $80,000,000 Public Partners: APP, NMDC New Investment: $186 million My knowledge and awareness of business opportunities in your region went up about 1,000 percent from the visit. Your successes, the hospitality and friendliness of the people, the work ethic, and the business environment helped me to better understand the possibilities. - Jonathan L. Sangster, CB Richard Ellis www.appme.org 7

R e s o r t D e v e l o p m e n t Photo courtesy of Katahdin Cedar Log Homes. Using the market/feasibility report developed by Global Resorts Inc. (GRI), APP embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign. The campaign led to having articles appear in three national resort publications describing the unique aspects of the project. These articles, coupled with GRI s report findings, attracted the attention and interest of potential developers and investors. APP hosted site visits by two companies and discussions are ongoing with a number of others. Resort Development Wanted! say northern Maine local leaders. - Vacation Ownership World Magazine - Oct. 2006 People Love maine and want to come back here again and again. - Vacation Industry Review Magazine - April 2007 Northern Maine Opens Door for Resort Development - Developments Magazine - January 2007 Ad in Vacation Ownership World magazine. 8

Strategic Initiatives for Organizational Purpose National Marketing for Competitive Advantage The number of business expansion/relocation projects throughout the U.S. is limited, but the competition for them is extremely competitive. To remain competitive with other regions in the U.S., it is imperative that APP build on its solid foundation and attract additional resources to position northern Maine as a world-class destination for all types of business development. Strategic Initiative: Attract additional investors to the Partnership and expand the attraction and retention program to support a first class economic development strategy. Regional Marketing for Competitive Advantage The similarities between western New Brunswick and northern Maine are well known throughout the region. Family relationships, employment and educational opportunities and like economies have brought the two regions close together for years. APP believes that these similarities, if developed into an effective strategy, have the potential to make the entire region even more attractive to commerce and industry. Strategic Initiative: Discuss with Business New Brunswick the possibility of developing a common strategy to promote the western New Brunswick/northern Maine corridor for new job creation and investment. World-Class Workforce for the 21st Century Northern Maine s workforce has a reputation for being extremely productive. It is this workforce that positively impacted the decisions of companies such as DFAS Limestone, Louisiana-Pacific and Huber Engineered Woods to remain and expand in northern Maine communities. However, if the region is to remain competitive, it is imperative that our workforce is well prepared to meet the needs of today s growing and expanding businesses. APP initiated discussions with the high schools and higher education institutions this past year and positive outcomes resulted. Strategic Initiative: Build on the efforts that were initiated last year by developing and implementing specific action items that address the current and future workforce needs of northern Maine businesses.

Ad in Bangor Daily News in partnership with Aroostook County Tourism. Aroostook Partnership for Progress PO Box 779 Caribou, ME 04736 Phone: 207-498-8731 Toll Free: 1-800-509-2146 Progress@APPme.org www.appme.org