Shifting gears: Somerset County group sets sights on technology, service jobs

PITTSFIELD – Last month, a third-generation company in Pittsfield that manufactured woolen cloth for coats closed its doors. More than 45 people lost their jobs. In Solon, 30 workers have been laid off at Solon Manufacturing, which makes wooden tongue depressors, paint stirrers and Popsicle sticks.

In both cases, inexpensive Chinese imports are being blamed.

“Even though Somerset County still has the highest percentage of its work force in manufacturing [compared to other counties], we are still losing those jobs at an alarming rate,” said James Batey, economic development director for Somerset County, who is trying to help communities cope with the issue. “There is no doubt in my mind that the county’s manufacturing base as it is today will look quite different, if it exists at all, 10 years from now.”

While current trade policies continue to favor imports, the challenge facing the county is how to shift from a manufacturing-based economy to one based on technology and services, said Batey.

“Manufacturing is still important in Somerset,” Batey said Monday. “But when those jobs are lost, they aren’t coming back.”

Batey, who coordinates the efforts of the 33 county towns through the nonprofit Somerset Economic Development Corp., said he is diligently working to ease the transition. Several key elements have been identified, he said, and these include:

. Application by eight towns along the Kennebec River in Somerset, Waldo, Kennebec and Lincoln counties to become a Pine Tree Zone. A PTZ, part of a state economic development program, would provide a number of tax incentives for qualified businesses to build or expand here.

. Trying to provide broadband Internet services to a larger area within the county. “We have been meeting with Internet Service Providers throughout the summer to determine the present status in their service area and future plans for expansion,” said Batey. SEDC has surveyed 75 county companies, from large to small, as to their needs and “there is a strong indication they would like to see faster and less expensive service,” he said. A business forum is planned for later this fall between ISP and business leaders.

. Surveying 150 tourism businesses in Somerset County to determine how SEDC can assist them in expanding. “This committee is also in the process of creating a customer service training program for interested businesses and their employees,” said Batey.

. Planning an international symposium for next spring with a region in Quebec. “This will connect businesses in our region with businesses in Quebec in the areas of tourism, agriculture and forestry,” said Batey. “Our goal is to connect 10 to 20 businesses on this side of the border with 10 to 20 on the other side that are looking for customers, suppliers or expertise.”

Batey said SECD has concentrated its efforts over the summer to working with manufacturing firms on assisting in fuel and sales tax rebates, referrals for business and financial planning, grant procurement and working with the Maine Department of Transportation and Guilford Railroad to re-establish a rail line in the county.

Other SEDC projects included working with the town of Jackman in creating a tax increment financing district; helping Norridgewock locate funds to assist three downtown businesses destroyed by fire; and assisting the Jackman Health Center achieve Critical Access Hospital status, to secure services and retain employment.

Batey said he continues to press Maine’s congressional delegation on trade issues. “It is my firm belief that unless and until federal policies change, to level the playing field with respect to imports, that more of our U.S. manufacturers are in dire jeopardy of closure,” he said.