Piscataquis County – it seems that much has appeared on these pages regarding the county lately – some fact, some fiction, with little delineating the difference. In fact, there exists in the county a very enthusiastic group of men and women who are very concerned about the problems of Piscataquis County and who are taking action on several fronts.

First, the setting: Although many Maine people, I suspect, could not locate Piscataquis County on a blank map of Maine, others will tell you that Piscataquis is the most scenic of Maine’s 16 counties with both Moosehead Lake and Mount Katahdin within its borders. Piscataquis occupies 3,770 square miles in central and northern Maine. Roughly a rectangle the size of Connecticut, representing 12.6 percent of the area in Maine, it is sparsely populated with 4.6 people per square mile. For reference, Cumberland County has 311.4 people per square mile. The population of the county is 17,235, which is 1.4 percent of the total population of the State of Maine.

The economic statistics of the county are mixed but very much in line with the rest of rural Maine. The median personal income is $29,500 – twelfth out of 16. The average weekly wage in 1999 was $408 (As reference, Cumberland’s was $581).

Statistics can be used to prove any thesis, but it is obvious that Piscataquis County needs help. And that help must begin from within.

The problem, simply stated, is that Piscataquis County is losing a high percentage of people during their most productive years. Approximately 300 high school students graduate each year from high schools in the county. Most of them go on to higher education or the military. Most of the rest move south and enter the labor market. Frequently we do not see them again until they retire. Whoever solves this problem will have the answer to economic development.

Here is what we are doing about the situation. About five years ago county citizens began to gather in various towns in the county to discuss the problem. The instigator of these meetings was The Eastern Maine Development Corp. with the assistance of other groups such as The Maine Rural Development Council, The Maine Community Foundation, The Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Governor’s Office.

These meetings, along with encouragement from Gov. King, led to the formation three years ago of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council. This non-profit entity has a Board of Directors numbering 50 and an Executive Committee of nine. The PCEDC is an energetic organization determined to promote economic development within the region. The County, local businesses, and the state of Maine fund this organization.

The first official action taken by the PCEDC was to hire a full time business development director who represents the county for economic development. Mark Scarano has filled that position admirably for two years.

The first priority has been to assist existing businesses. The second priority has been to attract new businesses to the county. Our efforts have been successful in each endeavor.

The PCEDC is divided into seven committees or Action Groups; each with a separate mission, but all pointed toward economic development. The Business Expansion and Retention Committee is responsible for assisting existing businesses within the county. The Marketing Committee has sent representatives of Piscataquis County all over the United States flying the flag of Maine and the county in hopes of attracting new businesses here. The Cultural Heritage and Eco-Tourism Committee is determined to preserve the cultural, artistic, and historical heritage of Piscataquis County while promoting economic development. The Capacity Committee plays a critical role in finding and developing new leaders to ensure the sustainability of the organization. The Speculative Building Committee is exploring new ways to collaboratively provide a building for a new or existing business within the county. The Work Force and Entrepreneurial Development Committee is concerned with providing training for the jobs of the 21st Century. The Finance Committee’s job is to find the resources for the organization to answer its mission.

The PCEDC has a record of achievement to which it points with pride.

. We have initiated and encouraged a company, Creative Apparel, to locate in the county and occupy a building built by the town of Dover-Foxcroft resulting in seventy new jobs in the county.

. We have facilitated the relocation of JSI Fixtures to the empty building left by Dexter Shoe in Milo. JSI is an expanding business for the county.

. We have provided direct business guidance to more than 400 businesses within the county.

. We have been instrumental in the establishment of the first post-secondary facility in Piscataquis County – PTEC, the Penquis Training and Education Center – a cooperative venture between Eastern Maine Technical College and the University of Maine system. It will open its doors in January of 2002.

. We are currently involved in promoting and encouraging the wood composite industry – a technology pioneered by the University of Maine – to locate in Piscataquis County.

. We have published and distributed 4,000 copies of a 95 page Directory, which includes information about the county’s historical societies, artists and artisans, nature and recreation, and regional events and resources.

Most importantly, we are destroying the myth that while Piscataquis County is a beautiful place to live, it is not a particularly good place in which to earn a living. The next census will show that Piscataquis County has turned the corner and is an importer of young people. Come join us in this exciting endeavor.

Warren Myrick is a resident of Guilford and is currently the President of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.