PRESQUE ISLE — None of the six J.C. Penney department stores in Maine will close as part of the company’s plan to become more competitive and increase earnings, a Penney spokesman said Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the J.C. Penney Co. Inc. announced that it would close 75 stores across the nation that do not meet the company’s performance standards. About 4,900 employees are expected to lose their jobs.

Maine has Penney stores in Presque Isle, Bangor, Waterville, Rockland, Auburn and South Portland.

“No stores are closing in Maine,” said Duncan Muir from the company’s headquarters in Plano, Texas.

The Presque Isle store is the only Penney branch in Aroostook County.