EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS—

Governor J. Baldacci     The Governor talks candidly about the Trade Mission to Asia and how important trade missions are for business in the global economy.

Victoria Rowell        author/actress/activist talks about growing up on a Maine farm, her best selling book and how she wishes it to be ‘made in Maine.’

Congressman Michaud  The U.S. Representative talks in detail about how his Northern Commission will infuse the region with funds for economic growth

Speaker Cummings Maine’s House Speaker talks about the importance of consolidation, education and the challenges of the 123’rd legislative session

MAINE VOICES—

The State of the State Highlights of Governor Baldacci’s 2008 address

Working together           to help the state grow by Ramona du Houx

Economic fallout           because of Bush policies by Eric Mehnert

Mainers preserve ME They take our cultural heritage to heart by Ramona du Houx

MAINE INITIATIVES—

Quality Place Council Recommendations for action to preserve historic downtowns and natural places of beauty

Budget kept in balance Gov. takes action to protect state from possible recession with curtailment & suplemental budget proposal

Economic Council Bringing together business leaders for economic growth

MAINE AS 'ONE COMMUNITY' NEWS—

Alfond’s $500 gift         For every baby born in Maine to go to college

Protecting Mainers      From high oil and gas prices —UPDATE:    8.8 million emergency LIHEAP funds released for ME – Jan 16

LURC                        Maine’s Land Use and Regulatory Commission

BUSINESS NEWS—

Pine Tree Zones           Working for Maine’s workforce

Wind power                 Stetson MT. wind project approved with special TIF benifits

Alternative Manufacturing              High-tech global economy business in Winthrop

Kennebec Lumber Quality wood products co. sells products around the world

Trade Mission to Asia

BOOKS —

Above the Gravel Bar- Native Canoe Routes of Maine The author writes an essay about the wonders of the canoe

Please comment on any article, refer to which article in your email, and it will be posted on that article's page.    email: duhoux2@tds.net

Statistical information in this publication is obtained from state agencies and government offices.

All photographs, articles, and layout are by Ramona du Houx unless otherwise indicated.

Not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or the Maine Democratic Party

By Ramona du Houx

On top of the Stetson Mountain ridge, one of Maine’s tallest peeks, the wind swoops up its steep sides generating energy that will soon be harnessed.

The UPC Wind Power Project on Stetson Mountain in northern Washington County became the first-ever Tax Increment Financing (TIF) project for an unorganized territory in Maine. Construction of the facility will begin this winter now that the Land Use Regulation Commission has approved the project.

Although the TIF program has been utilized extensively by municipalities throughout the state, only county governments can establish a TIF in an unorganized territory; until now, it had never been done.

"This is great news for not only Washington County but the entire state," said Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner John Richardson. "The construction of the project will create new jobs for the region and the energy generated will provide over 27,000 homes with clean, green electricity. The many people involved with making this happen are to be congratulated."

Washington County Commissioner Kevin Shorey worked closely with UPC Wind, other local officials and the DECD on the application for the TIF.

"This historic action by the State of Maine represents a major milestone for the Stetson Wind Project, as the TIF revenues will provide the necessary foundation to ensure the viability of the project," said Matt Kearns, UPC Wind’s project manager. "We also appreciate the leadership shown by Washington County, which has embraced the many benefits of this project, including the potential jobs and revenue that it will bring to the region."

Tax increment financing is a DECD program that guides and encourages local economic development activity. It is a tool that permits a municipality, or as in this case a county, to participate in local project financing by using some or all of the new property taxes from a capital investment within a designated geographic district. The county has the option of using the incremental taxes to retire bonds it has issued for the project, compensate a developer or business for development project costs, or fund eligible community economic development activities.

The Stetson Wind Project will consist of the construction and operation of 38 state-of-the-art GE 1.5 megawatt wind turbines, considered to be the most reliable in the wind industry. The project will produce approximately 150 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and will emit no pollutants. To produce the equivalent amount of power using conventional sources of electricity, such as oil or gas, over 100,000 metric tons of pollutants would be emitted.

The Stetson Mountain location has no residential properties closer than 2,500 feet, and the construction will have a minimal environmental impact as there are existing roads previously used for logging.

The Stetson Project in combination with UPC Wind’s Mars Hill facility will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 45,000 New England homes.

UPC Wind is an American-owned company based in Newton, Massachusetts. UPC is also the developer of the Mars Hill wind farm in Aroostook County. The Stetson wind farm is slated to be New England’s largest.