UPDATES—    

Property tax refunds avalible

Free Fare Fridays -for ridding the bus available in Maine

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Governor J.  Baldacci— The Governor talks candidly about Maine's energy independent future with reserach that puts the state on the cutting edge, natural resources that can be used sustainabley, and businesses working with the state to make it happen. 

Pat McGowan speaks about Maine’s Wood to Energy Initiative.  

Commissioner Laura Fortman -  explains the states’ new Job-Search –Job Match program

MAINE INITIATIVES—

Emergency Energy Task Force Report: —Ways to save energy and what the state is doing to help.

Wood to Energy Initative— How to convert to wood pellets.

MAINE COMMUNITY NEWS—

MITF Community Grants – Maine awards communities across the state with funds to improve downtowns

Portland Freedom Trail adds new historic markers.

Holocaust Museaum opens—   The Michael Klahr Museum was officially opened in Augusta

A.G. Rowe — Gets alcoholic producers of energy drinks to stop

 HEALTHCARE NEWS—

State’s Progress in HealthCare initiatives

MAINE AS 'ONE COMMUNITY' NEWS—

Land for Maine's Future grants announced.  More than 36,000 acres will be preserved .

Working Waterfront preservation grants announced  

MAINE'S INNOVATIVE ECONOMY—

Salmon Aquaculture —New Facility is the only research center in North America

New Wind Power Projects—The State gives TIFF tax breaks to wind power project in Western Mts. Off shore wind mills could meet all our energy needs, including heating needs.

Composite Technology Advances Business

Broadband News—Fairpoint Communications is adding jobs and Connect ME is deciding on the next round of grant recipients

MAINE ECONOMIC NEWS—

Taxes—Maine’s tax rating lowered because the old standard was misleading

Hodgon's Yacht expands—The new facility brings high wage jobs to Richmond.

Atkin's Printing— Maine’s oldest union printer is expanding while giving workers a share in profits

Locally Known Organic Farms— the largest in the Northeast plans to supply the entire region with organic greens

MAINE VOICES—

Energy Crisis— Green color jobs are the silver lining

Dem Corps— The organization is saving participants hundreds of dollars in it’s oil program

NEWS FROM CONGRESS—

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen— Bill to reduce heating expenses and winterization loans

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud— Economic help for small ME businesses

GLOBAL NEWS— 

 Al Gore— His global challenge to curb Global Warming

ELETION NEWS— 

Barack Obama— His speech in Berlin

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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

ConnectME Broadband Grants

The second round of the ConnectME Authority grant program to expand Mainers’ access to broadband service received applications last July.

"The ConnectME initiative is spurring private investment in broadband and cellular service in Maine. These investments are enabling people in rural areas to have enhanced access to technology, transforming our state economy, and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers," said Governor Baldacci.

The first round of grants awarded last year funded broadband service to more than fifty unserved communities, representing 14,400 households and businesses.

Eligible applicants were municipalities, co-ops, community groups, and broadband service providers. According to a recent Brookings Institution Report, for every one percentage point increase in broadband penetration in a state, employment is projected to increase by 0.2 to 0.3 percent per year.

FairPoint continues to expand broadband and create jobs

FairPoint has added 63 new jobs in Bangor and 57 in Portland at its local consumer and small-business customer call center since acquiring Verizon’s landline business in Northern New England.

"FairPoint is committed to growing employment and to helping families and business by expanding broadband in Maine," said Governor Baldacci. "FairPoint’s broadband network growth is critical to growing our economic base, improving our educational system, enhancing our delivery of health care and providing job opportunities."

In the global economy, broadband is making it possible for people to relocate to Maine and set up businesses anywhere they wish. With Maine’s broadband network expanding, more businesses will be attracted to the state, as they are looking for locations that have a quality of life with dedicated, hard workers.

"We want to be economic development partners," said Gene Johnson, Fairpoint’s CEO. Johnson estimated that FairPoint’s payroll contributes about $19 million a year to Maine’s economy, and has a ripple effect on other local businesses of more than $33 million.

"FairPoint has stepped up to the plate to offer its resources to partner with local groups in support of economic development," said Baldacci. "I am pleased to hear Gene mention that FairPoint wants to play an active role in Maine, providing jobs, partnering to support economic development, contributing and sponsoring local nonprofit organizations, buying products and services from Maine companies, and truly putting down roots in our State."

FairPoint announced a hiring goal of 280 new positions in Maine last year. FairPoint has met its original hiring goal in Maine and now plans to hire more people. The company said that the goal is now approximately 400 new positions in Maine when it completes its hiring plans.