Maine Announces Plan To Put People Back To Work
Governor John E. Baldacci today released the details of a $79 million investment package that will create a projected 1,898 jobs and protect thousands more in Maine.
“To climb out of this recession, job creation and protecting our economy must be the highest priority,” Governor Baldacci said. “That’s why I have proposed to balance the State budget without a tax increase. It’s why I support cutting the top income tax rate for working Mainers and small businesses. And it’s why I am proposing a job creation investment package that will put people back to work this year.”
As the Maine Department of Labor will report today, unemployment in the State increased in January to 8.2 percent, up from 8.1 percent in December. Last year at this time, the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent.
The number of unemployed in Maine is about 57,900, up by 6,500 from last year.
The Governor’s job creation bond package focuses heavily on transportation, including $62 million for highway, port and rail projects.
Included in the proposal:
• $28 million for highway reconstruction and paving, creating an estimated 750 jobs;
• $3 million for a municipal highway challenge grant, which will be matched by local dollars and create an estimated 80 jobs;
• $17 million for the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway in Aroostook County to preserve 240 miles of track. Without the investment, between 750 and 1,000 jobs could be negatively impacted;
• $5 million for rail improvements in Lewiston-Auburn, which will allow for the purchase of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic line from Yarmouth to Auburn and make rail investments related to improved freight rail service and prepare for future passenger rail service. The project is estimated to create 75 jobs;
• $8 million for the Ocean Gateway Deep Water Pier in Portland, which will enhance the economic potential of Portland Harbor and improve global economic competitiveness and create an estimated 96 jobs; and
• $1 million for challenge grants from the Small Harbor Improvement Program, which is estimated to create 26 jobs.
The Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway has filed for abandonment. The Railway provides critical rail service to Northern Maine.
“I propose significant investments around the State, including resources to save rail service in Aroostook County. Without these resources, 22 major employers and the largest county in the State would be cut off from rail service,” Governor Baldacci said. “That is unacceptable. Jobs are at stake, and we must act.”
In addition, the bond package includes $17 million for environmental and energy projects.
Projects include:
• $3.2 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, which will be matched by $16 million and create an estimated 307 jobs;
• $1.8 million for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Construction Grant, for projects targeted to Limestone Sewer and Water District, St. Agatha and Machias, which will create an estimated 28 jobs;
• $2 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which will be matched by $10 million and create an estimated 216 jobs or more;
• $5 million to support component manufacturing for wind energy generation at the University of Maine;
• $5 million to support the Maine Industrial Energy Efficiency Grant Program, which assists large companies with energy efficiency improvements and protects manufacturing jobs in the State. The investment will be matched by an estimated $25 million in private funding. Using U.S. Department of Energy estimates, the program would create 320 jobs.
“The successes of our clean water and industrial grant programs speak for themselves,” Governor Baldacci said. “People are put to work immediately, and jobs are saved. Our communities are healthier and our businesses are more competitive.”
Governor Baldacci included $2.6 million in his proposed changes to the current two-year budget to cover anticipated debt service for the job creation bonds.
“This is a fiscally responsible program that will put people to work,” Governor Baldacci said. “At this critical junction, we must be prepared to take action to make our State stronger and to promote economic growth.”
For more information on the bond package, visit:
http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/finances.html
Topics: 2010, Aroostook County, business, construction, critical rail service, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, employment, energy, environment, envrionment, envrionmental projects, freight rail service, government, Governor John E. Baldacci, highway, income tax, job creation, job creation bond package, job creation ivestment package, jobs, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Maine and Atlantic Railway, Maine Department of Labor, Mainers, Montreal, municipal highway challenge grant, news, Ocean Gateway Deep Water Pier, passenger rail service, paving, Port, port projects, Portland, Portland Harbor, rail, rail projects, railroads, recession, Small Harbor Improvement Program, St. Lawrence & Atlantic line, state budget, taxpayers, track, transportation, U.S., unemployment, United States
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