Summit focus on Down East economy Strategies reviewed to aid area’s future

MACHIAS – Whatever goes forward in February to Gov. John Baldacci as Washington County’s recommendations for development strategies to prop up its economic shortcomings, the public wants a say in it.

More than 100 people filled a lecture hall at the University of Maine at Machias on Friday for the Washington County Economic Summit.

The daylong gathering was intended to review issues across several economic sectors, including tourism, aquaculture and tribal development.

Baldacci was the headliner, noting a number of programs and projects that are taking shape in Washington County.

His portrait of a positive Washington County did not match up with the county’s perennial image as a place with high unemployment and low per capita income.

As for how to bring about job growth and better business opportunities, summit participants concurred that plenty of work lies ahead.

After a morning of listening, the portion of the packed agenda that got everyone talking was the discussion of the just-released report by David Flanagan.

The former utility chief whom Baldacci had asked to review the strengths and weaknesses of the economy Down East has prepared a summary of ideas for the governor to consider as he seeks ways to restore the local economy.

Flanagan’s 70 specific recommendations covered more than a dozen categories. Among them:

. Creating a Washington County marketing “brand,” such as “Living on the Edge” or the “Last Frontier.”

. Investing state funding in tourism product development and marketing.

. Developing state policies that encourage thoughtful second-home development while preserving public access to natural resources.

. Eliminating state income tax on retirement income for retirees who choose to live in Washington County.

. Providing bond funds to acquire conservation recreation lands.

. Determining the military’s plans for its unused over-the-horizon radar site in Columbia, and explore state options for its development.

. Preparing the state to fully participate in any proceedings relative to the licensing of proposed liquefied natural gas facilities.

. Exploring tidal power opportunities.

. Evaluating how actual wood supplies match up against mill capacity levels and the economics of operating at various levels.

. Supporting any application to the Federal Aviation Administration for the approval and funding for the construction of a full-service, general aviation airport in the region.

. Converting the Calais Branch rail line from Ellsworth to Pembroke into a recreational rail trail promptly.

. Providing tax incentives to encourage resort investment and tourism lodging.

. Attracting new students to UMM with strategies designed to substantially increase enrollment.

. Establishing a deputy commissioner for Down East within the state Department of Economic and Community Development to develop and serve as an advocate for state programs and to coordinate the efforts of state, federal, regional, university and county programs.

Given the chance to respond to Flanagan’s report, summit participants had their own ideas to share, which were recorded by Dianne Tilton and Jennifer Peters of the Sunrise County Economic Council, the group that organized the summit.

The public’s suggestions that emerged Friday will be reviewed alongside Flanagan’s report by members of the Washington County Economic Development Task Force – a group also drawn up by the governor last summer when he appointed Flanagan as his personal representative to the area.

The task force in turn will make recommendations to Baldacci on countywide issues and interest areas that they hope the governor will support as legislation.

Tilton, the executive director of the Sunrise council, noted that all of the ideas covered Friday – from Flanagan, the task force and the public – would be shared with the governor. They also will be included for public review on the council’s Web site, sunrisecounty.org.