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The Wing family is ‘always willing to help out”
Students at Brown Elementary School in South Portland students enjoy log seats donated by Richard Wing and Son Logging.
In early September, Gretchen McCloy, director of Community Partnerships, South Portland School Department, sent MFPC and other forestry organizations a plea for help.
“As are so many schools in our state, we are building out our Outdoor Classroom spaces,” McCloy emailed MFPC. “We are on a wild goose chase to find some donated stumps/logs to be used as outdoor seats (each chunk about the size of a 5 gallon bucket, or so).
“We have 8 schools in our district who would each love 15-25 log chunks,” she wrote. “Do you have any advice or recommendations on who I might contact who would be able to help us out with this?”
Several MFPC members tried to find ways to help, but in the end Richard Wing and Son Logging, a member of both MFPC and Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC), came up with just what the South Portland schools needed.
“We are always happy to help out,” Lynn Wing said.
Tim, Lynn and Richard Wing
Anyone who knows the Wings know that is true. This wasn’t even the first time they’ve supplied logs seats for outdoor classrooms. They’ve also helped out the Gorham schools and they are stalwart volunteers for on SFI Maine’s Make-A-Wish projects.
“We were cutting on Phinney Lumber property in Gorham. We have a dump truck so we just cut them up in the landing, threw them into the dump truck. We ended up taking them some hemlock made them kind of roughly the size of a five gallon bucket,” Lynn Wing said. “I think we did a little over 100 of them.”
McCloy was thrilled.
“I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful log seats you donated. While I haven’t gotten photos from every school yet, here is one of some students at Brown Elementary School taking a Mindfulness Break (practicing their breathing and being peaceful),” she wrote. “Really appreciate the donation.”
MFPC tour gives LUPC executive director insights into ‘markets all along the wood fiber supply chain’
At Height of Land in Rangeley, Judy East gets a panoramic of LUPC zones in Township D, including lands managed by Wagner.
Executive Director Patrick Strauch was happy to oblige when Judy East, executive director of Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC), expressed interest in touring forestlands owned or managed by MFPC members.
“I appreciated Judy’s initiative and genuine interest in seeing the forests through our perspective, especially in the COVID environment,” Strauch said.
Scott Henker (center) of Weyerhaeuser discusses natural spruce/fir thinning with Patrick Strauch and Judy East..
The tour on Aug. 20-21, organized by Gordon Gamble, Wagner Forest Management; Hannah Stevens, Seven Islands, Chris Fife, Weyerhaeuser, and the MFPC staff, and had an ambitious itinerary.
Observing social distancing guidelines, Strauch and East drove separately from Bangor to begin the tour at Stratton Lumber in Strong. Then they visited Weyerhaeuser lands, with lunch at Flagstaff Lake, and traveled to Rangeley for a tour of Seven Islands lands. On Aug. 21, they toured Wagner-managed lands and ND Paper.
“The tour gave me real insight into the critical significance of markets all along the wood fiber supply chain,” East said. “Everyone we met spoke of their impact. Whether it was the influence of the varied decisions of many landowners, the flow of raw material, the ability to move by-products and end products, or the interruptions caused by the explosion in Jay, markets came up time and time again.”
When East was confirmed as executive director last November, LUPC’s press release described her as bringing “over three decades of rural land use planning and conservation experience to LUPC.” She earned a M.Sc. Planning degree from the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning. She also holds an B.Sc. Biology Specialist degree (Freshwater Ecology), from the University of Toronto, where she majored in Environmental Studies and minored in Economics.
“Judy seemed enthused about the entire tour,” Gamble said. “Dave Harvey (ND Paper) told me they were at the Rumford wood yard for almost two hours.”
Harvey gave East an overview of ND Paper’s mills in Rumford and Old Town.
“I explained our procurement of pulpwood into satellite chip Plants for processing into paper chips,” Harvey said. “I also tried to impress on her how interconnected land management is to mills, both sawmills and pulp mills. Additionally, how interconnected pulp mills are to sawmills as a market for residuals.”
The Weyerhaeuser team focused on softwood management connecting our planning and harvests to what East had just seen at the mill.
““Our senior leadership team toured with her and that she visited an active cut to length operation overlooking Flagstaff lake providing an opportunity to talk about viewsheds and the way working forest protects them,” Fife said.
From left, Pete Johnson, Walker Day and Nick Baser of Seven Islands talk with Strauch and East.
Hannah Stevens of Seven Islands said it was important that East was able to get out in the field with foresters, learn about various management styles, landowner objectives, and meet with individuals.
“We talked a lot about long-term planning, and how decisions and investments made today promote a healthy and productive forest into the future,” Stevens said. “We talked about the need for regulatory stability in achieving those long-term goals, and the tour emphasized the ‘big picture’ by demonstrating how markets and regulatory stability affect forest management, and the health of the forest and economy.
“Everyone enjoyed meeting her, and we were impressed with her engagement and interest in what we were doing,” Stevens added. “She seemed genuinely interested in the perspective of the forestry sector, and undoubtedly walked away with a better understanding of the challenges (and opportunities) the industry faces. It’s a positive thing for both sides to have a personal connection, rather than just a company or agency name.”
East also was happy to hear the perspectives of MFPC members.
“I sincerely appreciate the time taken by so many at the mills, in the woodyards, and in the woods,” East said. “The tour also impressed upon me the vastness of the Unorganized Territories and I really look forward to another tour in the northern region next year.”
MFPC’s 60th annual meeting: ‘All in all, well executed’
Executive Director Patrick Strauch and Office Manager Sue McCarthy
Even though it’s been 60 years since the Maine Forest Products Council was founded, it’s safe to say that MFPC’s Annual Meeting Sept. 21 was unique. Instead of unfolding over two days, it lasted two hours. There was no time spent on the road, no expenses, no food or drink, no golf and not a single hand was shaken.
“The presentations were fine,” said Jim Robbins, Robbins Lumber. “Of course, we all, I am sure, would rather meet in person. I miss the camaraderie. I think I may be getting a new type of virus called Zoom fatigue.”
Doug Denico, left, and Pat Sirois, right, display Denico’s Abby Holman Public Service Award.
Like all MFPC meetings since Maine’s first COVID 19 case was reported in mid-March, it was a “virtual” meeting, attended by 88 people, “which is great,” said Gordon Gamble, MFPC Board president. “I’d like to thank everybody for participating and for the continued financial support for the council in this very strange and challenging year.”
One thing that many members missed this year, though, was the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues.
For example, because of the need to social-distance, MFPC only gave out one award this year – the Abby Holman Public Service Award — which Doug Denico, former state forester, accepted on his laptop from the nearly empty (SFI’s Pat Sirois sat with him) MFPC conference room. Watch video.
“I thought the meeting went very well and all of the staff did a great job,” Peter Triandafillou, Huber. “There’s no denying that for me, virtual meetings are a poor second to meeting in person, but that obviously wasn’t an option.”
Elected to the Executive Committee for one-year terms: Gordon Gamble, Wagner Forest Mgmt., president
Ryan McAvoy, Sappi North America, first vice president
John Gray, retired, treasurer
Peter Triandafillou, Huber Resources, secretary
Allan Ryder, Timber Resource Group
Jim Robbins, Robbins Lumber
Jason Brochu, Pleasant River Lumber
Ben Carlisle, Prentiss & Carlisle
Eric Kingsley, Innovative Natural Resource Solutions
Chris Fife, Weyerhaeuser
Scott Beal, Woodland Pulp
Elected to the Board of Directors for 3-year terms: David Cole, American Forest Mgmt.
John Manganello, Baskahegan John McNulty, Bradbury Forest Mgmt.
Ken Lamond, Family Forestry
Scott Morrison, retired
John Cashwell, BBC Lands
Brian Flewelling, Key Bank
Charles Tardif, Maibec Logging
Cliff Foster, Timberstate G
Nicolas Fontaine, Stratton Lumber
Executive Director Patrick Strauch talked about The State of Maine’s Forest Products Industry, detailing the challenges and some surprised since the first COVID 19 case was reported in Maine in mid-March.
“You can see the supply and demand forces that included a stay-at-home, do-it- yourself fix-up trend that started the rally on lumber and we really saw a dramatic increase in demand for primarily softwood,” Strauch said. Hardwood has been a slower picture of recovery.” See presentation.
Michele MacLean, MFPC lobbyist, gave members a preview of the upcoming election and who is likely to lead the 130th Legislature, while Bill Ferdinand, Eaton Peabody, reviewed some tough issues likely to come up, including herbicides, energy, and the Indian Lands Claim Settlement.
MacLean pointed out ways this election also is unusual, including the largest number of uncontested races – 34 – since 1998 and record spending in the Senate race, including “significant dollars coming in from outside PACs and influencers specific to that race.” With regards to the Maine legislative races, though, “it hasn’t been as strenuous,” she said. “There isn’t the opportunity for fundraising as there would be in a non-COVID year.”
“We also are seeing record-breaking enrollment,” she said. “There have been 91,000 recent enrollees in the Democratic Party, which is huge . . . With this initiative by the Democratic Party to enroll, they have surpassed the unenrolled (independent voters) for the first time in 30 years.”
Another break from the norm is there are 34 uncontested seats, two in the Senate and 32 the House. “The Democrats do have the edge there,” MacLean said. “They have 10 seats where they don’t have the candidate running against the Republican nominee, whereas the Republicans have 22 seats without a candidate to run against the Democrats.”
Records also are being broken in the number of voters who have requested absentee ballots and that will affect turnout on election day, which will impact all of those organizations that are trying to collect signatures for future ballot initiatives.
Democrats are expected to retain the majority in the Maine Senate and House. Senate President Troy Jackson would probably be reelected as president and the floor leaders, Senator Leahy and Senator Mitch Kelly should likely come back. In the House, Rep. Matt Moonen, D-Portland, is termed out, so assistant majority leader Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddford, is the frontrunner to succeed former Speaker Sarah Gideon.
MFPC lobbyist Michele MacLean
The Republican side is “a little more challenging,” MacLean said, because Senate Republican Leader Dana L. Dow (R-Lincoln) is in a very challenging race against former Rep. Chloe Maxim (D – Nobleboro) Assistant Senate Republican Leader Jeff Timberlake (R-Androscoggin) is running against Martha Poliquin of Lisbon, who two years ago ran for the House District 56 seat, losing to Republican Rick Mason. In the House, Rep. Kathleen Dillingham of Oxford, should be back as the Republican leader, but the assistant minority leader will be new, since former Rep. Trey Stewart, R-Presque Isle, is in a tough race for a Senate seat in District 2 against incumbent Sen. Michael Carpenter.
Another possible leadership contender is former Senate President Rick Bennett, who is running in District 19 against newcomer Katherine (Katey) Branch of South Paris the assistant. It, although leadership will is and their leadership team may, but there’s been some talk about if, when and how they will come back into session in January.
“It’s quite possible that they only bring the Appropriations Committee together in January and deal with COVID-related budget matters, fiscal matters, and defer other action until later in hopes that we’ll be able to get through the fall in the winter and whatever resurgence of COVID and times will be safer,” MacLean said. “We’re also hearing that the House may convene at the Civic Center and the Senate will be in the House of Representatives so that they have the distance between them. The public – and that includes all of us — may or may not be allowed in. If that is the case, I fully expect that there will be a legal challenge.”
Bill Ferdinand
Bill Ferdinand of Eaton Peabody talked about what happened to all the bills that “were left just sitting on the table” when the session ended abruptly and no special session was ever convened.
“So a lot of bills that we were paying attention to are going to be picked up again in January,” Ferdinand said. “I expect so as we go through these bills, you can basically get an idea of what’s going to happen subsequently for bills in the future to an Agriculture Committee. There were a number of bills to restrict or control, the use of glyphosate and a lot of different contexts. They were rejected by a majority of the community but the people that were pushing them expect could will return to the legislature. And that issue will continue.”
The 2020 Annual Meeting will be remembered for its brevity, but also for it’s efficiency. A lot of ground was covered in record time.
“While definitely not a full replacement for an in-person meeting, I think the pandemic has educated us all on the effectiveness of these remote conference tools,” said Dan LaMontagne, Seven Islands. “I think the annual meeting went very well, although I do think the remote nature of it does impact/reduce questions and dialogue, and adds a level of ‘formality’ that is unavoidable. I am not sure there is much that can be done about that. All in all, well executed.”
Denico receives 2020 Abby Holman Public Service Award
Don Mansius, director of Forest Policy and Management Division at the Maine Forest Service (MFS) not only nominated Doug Denico for the Maine Forest Products Council’s 2020 Abby Holman Public Service, also presented the award at MFPC’s “virtual” annual meeting September 21, saying: “Doug Denico is one of those rare people who was able to move from the private sector into the public sector and step into the role of public servant without missing a beat. As state forester for eight years, Doug took care of Maine’s forests and forest policy and left both in better shape.
The Council presents this award to Doug Denico in recognition of his lifelong commitment to Maine’s forests, including a decades-long career in the private sector and his service as Maine’s State Forester, in which he implemented the state’s first Outcome Based Forestry agreements, consolidated forestry regulations under the authority of the Maine Forest Service, chaired the Baxter State Park Authority, embraced the Urban and Community Forestry program and improved operations on Maine’s Public Lands.
“During his tenure, Doug worked well outside the traditional comfort zone of most foresters who come in to government for the industry. He reached out to a diverse forestry community to implement progressive forest policies. And even in a contentious environment at the legislature, Doug managed to maintain his professionalism and sense of humor. I’d like to highlight two of Doug’s signature accomplishments as state forester. Both are of significant value to the private sector.
“First, without Doug’s initiative, prodding and persistence, it’s doubtful that Outcome Based Forestry would ever have become a reality. Because of his efforts, we now have four agreements covering nearly 2.8 million acres of the state’s forestland, where participating landowners can practice silviculture without having to worry that they might have violated our rather complex Forest Practices rules. We survived a couple of runs at the program by the naysayers and the program is still going strong.
“Second, he consolidated the forestry rules that were spread among several agencies under the authority of the Maine Forest Service (MFS). When you think about the bureaucratic turf wars, inertia and barriers set up to make this idea not work, Doug worked all the levers to succeed. Forest landowners don’t have to go to two or three different agencies looking for an answer to a regulatory question. Because MFS is the regulatory authority, there’s a practical, sensible approach to how the process works and it’s done by foresters to understand the realities of forest operations.
Doug’s Maine Forest Service family appreciated the time he was able to spend with us. He was a great boss. He gave us a sense of mission, inspired us and, like our best generals, always supported the troops. So with that, I’ve got the honor of presenting Doug Denico with the 2020 Abby Holman Public Service Award. Congratulations.”
Register for Phase 2 informational webinars on the Economic Recovery grant program
Informational Webinar
Join the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Commissioner Heather Johnson and Business Development Manager Jonathan Poole for an informational webinar on Phase 2 of the Economic Recovery Grant Program.
This informational session will provide you with the information required to apply for this grant program.
Wednesday, September 23 at 9:00AM
OR
Thursday, September 24 at 11:00 AM
Businesses and non-profits that employ up to 250 people eligible for Maine Economic Recovery Grants
Online Application portal will open on September 23, 2020 and will remain open until October 23, 2020
Informational Webinars, Wednesday, September 23, 9 a.m., Thursday, September 24, 11 a.m., Register Here
Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration will launch a second phase of the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program beginning Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
Phase 2 will make available approximately $95 million in remaining funds from Phase 1 and expand access to the program by increasing the number of eligible businesses and non-profits. Under Phase 2, businesses and non-profits that employ up to 250 people will be eligible for grant rewards. Previously, small businesses and non-profits with up to 50 people were eligible. Additionally, licensed childcare and behavioral health organizations will be eligible in this round. The Department of Economic and Community Development estimates that nearly 3,000 more businesses and non-profit organizations will be eligible for grants as a result of the program’s expansion.
Additionally, the Governor announced that up to $5 million of the $95 million will be dedicated to support the viability of businesses less than a year old, which were not previously eligible. The Maine Technology Institute (MTI), which offers grants, loans, equity investments, and services to support Maine’s innovation economy, will lead the application review and financial disbursement of awards in their seven sectors.
The Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program is intended to help sustain the viability of Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits – not to replace lost profits – by providing short-term financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding the size of businesses also expands its scope since some types of businesses typically have more than 50 workers. Applications for Phase 2 will be accepted Wednesday, September 23, 2020 through Friday, October 23, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. with grants expected to be awarded in late November.
“In the first phase of our program, we focused laser like on the economic viability of small businesses and non-profits, entities that may have fallen through the cracks of other relief programs and needed support. Now, with $95 million remaining grant funding, we are launching the second phase to make sure that as many eligible businesses as possible can have some financial relief,” said Governor Mills. “While these grants cannot wholly replace or repair the economic damage this pandemic has caused, we hope that they will help sustain businesses through this difficult time. As always, I continue to urge Congress to step up to provide greater relief to the people and State of Maine.”
For additional information about the program, please visit the Department of Economic and Community’s website.
The Economic Development Districts, which administer the program across the state, report to the Department of Economic and Community Development that approximately 2,100 businesses and organizations submitted eligible applications in Phase 1, with 89 percent of these applications coming from small businesses and 11 percent from non-profits. Of the small business applications, they estimate that approximately 30-35 percent of them came from the hospitality sector, which includes lodging establishments and restaurants, with the rest representing a broad cross section of economic sectors. The Department anticipates $105 million in awards, averaging approximately $45,000, to be made in early October, although final eligibility and financial verification steps are being completed now.
Phase 1 of the program was intentionally designed to support small businesses and non-profit organizations. The Administration, in partnership with the Economic Recovery Committee and Economic Development Districts, designed the program in this manner to ensure that small businesses that may have been unable to access other grant or funding opportunities had the ability to apply in this initial phase.
“We are pleased to be able to move to Phase 2 of the grant program. The expansion of the businesses and non-profits eligible will allow these funds to support additional businesses,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “We recognize that these awards won’t fully replace losses, but we are aiming to help keep as many businesses viable as possible while they develop a path forward.”
Grants may be used to cover expenses, including but not limited to: payroll costs and expenses; rent or mortgage payments for business facilities; utilities payments; necessary operating expenses; expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses; purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business or business related equipment. Funds must be spent on operations that are strictly within Maine. Recipients are liable for any misuse of funds, and the grants are subject to audit.
The Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program builds on the Mills Administration’s support for Maine businesses and employees, which includes a commitment of $270 million to backfill Maine’s Unemployment Trust Fund to support Maine businesses amidst the increased demand for unemployment benefits, as well as $8.4 million to support childcare services so Maine people can go back to work. Earlier this year, at the request of Governor Mills, the Small Business Administration allowed Maine businesses to apply for economic support loans. Additionally, the Governor and the Legislature worked together in a bipartisan manner to establish a consumer loan guarantee program through FAME, in partnership with financial institutions, to provide low- or no- interest loans for eligible people in Maine.
Maple syrup producers now eligible for COVID-19 relief
Washington, D.C. — Following a push by Maine’s Congressional Delegation and Governor Janet Mills, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Aug. 12 that producers of maple sap used to make maple syrup are now eligible for direct financial relief to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19.
“Like many pillars of our economy, Maine’s maple syrup producers have suffered unprecedented financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. I am pleased to hear that the USDA heeded our call and that our maple syrup producers can now access the resources they need to survive these challenging times,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I hope to see continued changes to the CFAP program to ensure that more Maine farms, of all sizes, whose financial stability and futures have similarly been disrupted, benefit from this important program.”
In June, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden sent a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue (PDF) in support of maple syrup producers’ eligibility for direct relief from the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP, created through the CARES Act, is providing up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers. In the letter, the Delegation also noted their full support of a letter previously sent by Governor Mills, which outlined the necessity of this relief for the Maine maple syrup industry.
“Maine is proud to be the country’s third-largest producer of maple syrup. This is a strong sector of our state’s agricultural economy, representing more than 800 full- and part-time jobs,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden. “Maine maple syrup producers experienced substantial revenue losses due to the cancellation of Maple Sunday events this spring. We strongly supported making maple syrup producers eligible for assistance through CFAP, and we are pleased that they will now be able to access this lifeline for farmers.”
“Like many pillars of our economy, Maine’s maple syrup producers have suffered unprecedented financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic. I am pleased to hear that the USDA heeded our call and that our maple syrup producers can now access the resources they need to survive these challenging times,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I hope to see continued changes to the CFAP program to ensure that more Maine farms, of all sizes, whose financial stability and futures have similarly been disrupted, benefit from this important program.”
Maine is home to more than 550 maple syrup producers whose combined output totaled 580,000 gallons with a value of $21.6 million last year alone. Similar to other agricultural producers across the country, maple syrup producers in the State of Maine have suffered greatly due to COVID-19. The impact on this industry is even more acute than most, however, given its short season from late February to mid-April and heavy reliance on direct-to-consumer sales. Every March, sugarhouses across Maine host Maple Sunday events, an annual celebration showcasing maple syrup operations throughout Maine that serves as a catalyst for sales. Due to the pandemic, this collection of events was effectively cancelled this year, eliminating many producers’ best opportunity to connect with consumers and secure sales.
CFAP was established to provide “vital assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline and face additional significant marketing costs as a result of lower demand, surplus production, and disruptions to shipping patterns and the orderly marketing of commodities.” To date, a total of more than $14 million has been awarded through CFAP to Maine farmers to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19.
The USDA is continuing to accept applications from farmers through September 11. More information about CFAP and the application process can be found on USDA’s resource page: Farmers.gov/cfap.
Gov. Mills launches $200 million economic recovery grant program to support Maine small businesses
Governor Janet Mills today announced the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program to support Maine businesses and nonprofits as they continue to grapple with economic hardships caused by COVID-19. The program, backed by $200 million in Federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF), will provide financial relief for businesses and non-profit organizations that incurred business disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are intended to help sustain the viability of Maine’s small businesses and nonprofits – not to replace lost profits – and will provide short-term relief to help stabilize Maine’s economy while still focusing on the state’s long-term goals described in the state’s 10-year strategic economic development plan. The program draws on a recommendation from the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee.
My administration will do all we can to support Maine’s small businesses through these difficult times,” Gov. Mills said. “While we know these grants cannot wholly replace or repair the economic damage this pandemic has caused, our mission is to ensure that each dollar has at least a small, direct impact on supporting these businesses and Maine’s economy. We continue to hope that Congress will step up to provide greater relief to the people and State of Maine.”
“Small businesses across Maine – the neighborhood corner store, the bed and breakfast, the independent bookstore – have faced unprecedented challenges caused by this pandemic, from the heartbreak of temporarily closing their doors to the herculean task of reopening in new and innovative ways. Many have risen to the task, but with the global economy still reeling from the virus, and with people still wary of how and where to eat and shop, it is crucial that we provide what help we can to get businesses through,” said Governor Mills. “My administration will do all we can to support Maine’s small businesses through these difficult times. While we know these grants cannot wholly replace or repair the economic damage this pandemic has caused, our mission is to ensure that each dollar has at least a small, direct impact on supporting these businesses and Maine’s economy. We continue to hope that Congress will step up to provide greater relief to the people and State of Maine.”
“COVID-19 has created an unprecedented financial crisis for businesses and non-profit organizations in Maine and all across the country,”said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “In working with the recommendations of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee, we have created the Economic Recovery Grant Program. This grant program is the first step in supporting businesses and non-profits with a path forward until they are able to rebuild capacity.”
“Direct financial support for Maine employers to weather the disruption of COVID-19 is an urgent recommendation of the Governor’s Economic Recovery Committee,” said Joshua Broder and Laurie Lachance, co-chairs of the Committee. “We applaud Governor Mills and DECD for moving quickly to launch this important program based on our work and urge our federal delegation to advocate for further employer relief through Congress.”
In addition to the threat to public health, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the global business environment, causing severe supply-chain disruptions, reduced consumer spending, and unprecedented losses that are felt across all sectors. U.S. industries are no exception, with hospitality, tourism, retail, restaurants and bars, entertainment, manufacturing and countless others facing a host of new challenges and barriers that disrupt operations and impede growth. Here in Maine, the closure of the Canadian border, the stoppage of cruise ships, and reluctance of people to travel have impacted our economy, from agriculture to fisheries, to retail, recreation and hospitality sectors.
In order to qualify for a grant, a business or nonprofit must demonstrate a need for financial relief based on lost revenues minus expenses incurred since March 1, 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts or related public health response. The business or organization must also: 1) have significant operations in Maine, meaning it is headquartered in the state or has a minimum of half its employees in Maine; 2) employ less than a combined total of 50 employees and contract employees; 3) have been in operation for at least one year before August 1, 2020; not currently be in bankruptcy and not permanently have ceased operations; 4) be current and in good standing with all Maine State payroll taxes, sales taxes, and state income taxes through July 31, 2020 and be in good standing with the Maine Department of Labor; and 5) be in consistent compliance and not subject to any enforcement action with COVID-19 Prevention Checklist requirements.
Grants may be used to cover expenses, including but not limited to: payroll costs and expenses; rent or mortgage payments for business facilities; utilities payments; necessary operating expenses; expenses incurred to replenish inventory or other necessary re-opening expenses; purchase of personal protective equipment required by the business or business related equipment. Funds must be spent on operations that are strictly within Maine. Recipients are liable for any misuse of funds, and the grants are subject to audit.
In order to avoid a competitive rush for awards, the grants will not be distributed on a first-come, first served basis. Instead, businesses and nonprofit organizations can apply for a grant beginning tomorrow August 21, 2020 through September 9, 2020 with awards made in early October. The amount awarded will be based on demonstrated need as a pro-rated percentage of the total cost of business interruption reported by qualified applicants.
The Administration will distribute grant awards through Economic Development Districts (EDD) in order to meet allocation criteria established by the U.S. Treasury Department. The Administration is providing up to $3 million in CRF monies to support EDDs as they administer the program. The Administration has also briefed the Chairs and Leads of the Legislature’s Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs on the use of the CRF monies. With today’s commitment, the State of Maine has committed $807 million of Maine’s $1.25 billion in Federal CARES Act CRF monies. View the full commitment of funds.
The Administration considers the $200 million an initial investment with the potential for additional funding in the future depending on additional support from the Federal government, for which Governor Mills continues to advocate.
The Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program builds on the Mills Administration’s support for Maine businesses and employees, which includes a commitment of $270 million to backfill Maine’s Unemployment Trust Fund to support Maine businesses amidst the increased demand for unemployment benefits, as well as $8.5 million to support childcare services so Maine people can go back to work. Earlier this year, at the request of Governor Mills, the Small Business Administration allowed Maine businesses to apply for economic support loans. Additionally, the Governor and the Legislature worked together in a bipartisan manner to establish a consumer loan guarantee program through FAME, in partnership with financial institutions, to provide low- or no- interest loans for eligible people in Maine.
To read more about the distribution criteria for funding, including the formula and an example, see Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program.
USFWS reviewing status of northern long-eared bat
Northern long-eared bat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the federal listing status of the northern long-eared bat (NLEB) under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act, according to Wende Mahaney, of the USFWS Maine field office. Such a review of a listed species’ status is required by the ESA to take place every five years.
- The species does not warrant listing and is removed from protection under the ESA,
- The species remains listed as a threatened species, or
- The species is re-listed as an endangered species. If the NLEB is listed as endangered, the 4(d) rule will no longer be in effect (only threatened species are eligible for 4(d) rules).
Maine CDC and USFWS to distribute rabies vaccine
AUGUSTA – Oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits will be distributed in northeastern Maine beginning on or about August 3 through August 7 as part of ongoing, cooperative rabies control efforts aimed at reducing the spread of raccoon rabies in Maine. Approximately 385,000 ORV baits targeting raccoons will be distributed by air and ground over a 2,650-square-mile area. Wildlife Services, a program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, will distribute the ORV baits in cooperation with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC).
ORV baits are coated with fishmeal and distributed in one-inch square cubes or two-inch plastic sachets. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits but should leave them undisturbed. This vaccine is shown to be safe in more than 60 species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Dogs that consume large numbers of baits may experience an upset stomach, but there are no known long-term health risks. If skin contact with baits occurs, rinse the affected area with warm water and soap.
The distribution area will include places such as Burlington Township, Carroll Plantation, Chester, Houlton, Lakeville, Lee, Lincoln, Mars Hill, Oxbow, Patten, Prentiss Township, Springfield, Stacyville, T3 R1 NBPP, T7 R3 NBPP, Webster Plantation, Weston, and Winn. The vaccine packets will be distributed primarily by airplanes in rural, wooded areas. Personnel from Wildlife Services will distribute vaccine baits from vehicles in the more populated areas, such as Houlton.
Rabies is a viral disease that infects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It is spread primarily through a bite from an infected animal. Rabies is fatal once symptoms are present, although timely post-exposure treatment is effective in preventing the disease in humans. Approximately 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wildlife. As of July 15, 2020, 40 animals have tested positive for rabies this year in 14 of Maine’s 16 counties, including bats, raccoons, striped skunks, grey foxes, red foxes, and a feral cat.
To help protect yourself and your pet against rabies:
- Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination current
- Feed pets indoors
- Keep garbage cans or other sources of food tightly secured
- Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals and be cautious of stray dogs and cats
- Do not relocate wildlife because this can spread rabies into new areas
- Wash wounds resulting from potential rabies exposures thoroughly with soap and water
Who to contact:
- If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, contact your health care provider
- If your pet is bitten or scratched by an animal, contact your veterinarian
- If you want to report a dead or suspicious-acting raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote in northern Maine, contact Wildlife Services
- Maine CDC is also available to answer questions
Since 2003, Wildlife Services has worked to eliminate raccoon rabies from northern Maine because the virus poses a threat to human and animal health. Wildlife Services also collaborates with Canadian officials in New Brunswick and Quebec to reduce the presence of rabies across Maine and Canada. As part of the Wildlife Services’ National Rabies Management Program, the ORV distribution program in Maine is part of a larger effort to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies by creating a barrier along the Appalachian Mountains from the Canadian border to Alabama.
For more information:
- USDA Rabies webpage: www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife-damage/rabies
- Maine CDC Rabies webpage: www.maine.gov/dhhs/rabies
- ORV baits photos: www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov/sets/72157623983143606
- USDA Wildlife Services: 1-866-487-3297
Maine CDC disease reporting & consultation line: 1-800-821-5821 (available 24/7)
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