Dover-Foxcroft- Local municipal officials expressed appreciation upon the announcement that Governor John Baldacci had recently signed a bill allowing Piscataquis County to bond for economic development projects. Sponsored by State Senator Paul Davis, the bill allows the County to put bond referendum questions to the voters for approval. Bonding for economic development projects is new to Maine's counties; currently they are only allowed to borrow for jails and courthouses. The legislation received unanimous support from the Piscataquis County Commissioners as well as a myriad of local Town Managers before sailing through the Legislature with no opposition.

“I am pleased that voters will be able to decide on County-wide economic development initiatives,” stated Piscataquis County Commission Chair Eben DeWitt; “With this ability, I have no doubt that Piscataquis County will be able to develop competitive, employment enhancing projects.” DeWitt credited attorney Erik Stumpfel of the Eaton Peabody law firm with drafting the legislation and offering advice on how the referendum process should be structured.

That sentiment was echoed by local municipal officials: “Our municipalities are too small and don't have the resources to create effective economic development projects alone,” explained Brownville Town Manager Sophie Wilson, “but, by pooling resources County-wide, I predict our efforts will have greater success.” Monson Town Manager Jeanne Reed concurred, “As a region, we can all share in the risks and opportunities of County-wide projects.”

As President of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, Milo Town Manager Jane Jones sees comparisons to the investment many of Maine's larger cities have made in their economic development infrastructure. “Our County's population is about half that of Bangor's, yet their investment in business parks, speculative buildings, and other job-related projects is impressive. This bonding ability will allow us to get into the game.” Jones mentioned that the legislation only allows the voters to consider capital-related projects and would not be used for staff or operational functions.

What kind of projects that will appear on the referendum ballot is a question being pondered by local economic development officials. PCEDC Executive Director Mark Scarano suggested that the Towns of Brownville and Milo are seeking a small industrial park and that Greenville officials have expressed interest in bringing municipal water and wastewater into that community's industrial park. “These are some of the projects that might make it on a November ballot,” Scarano said. He also said that the County should leverage bond funds with State and Federal grant programs as much as possible.