A highway north needs to become a reality

Aroostook County has long been known as an area of Maine blessed with wonderful farms, abundant natural resources, robust lumber and paper production industries and a unique bicultural population of hard-working and problem-solving citizens. In the early ’60s, we were the country’s leading potato producing area. Our potato industry was rated our state’s No. 1 industry, with our lumber and paper mills rating second. Regrettably, the lack of economic development vision and support over the years from our state government leaders have placed these two major industries on a path to virtual extinction.

The most detrimental effect on our county’s and state’s primary industries was the decision to terminate the I-95 highway in Houlton, resulting in the diversion of commerce and tourist traffic to Canada. This tragedy brought many hardships to our potato and lumber industries, and put a halt to the development of future infrastructure, technology and new markets in Aroostook County.

Forty years ago, 300 to 400 railroad cars of potatoes trekked south each day to markets in New England and beyond. It became quite evident in those days that highway trucks would become the modern way of transportation, and we were given assurances that the highway would soon be constructed in order to give The County the tools to prosper. Forty years later, with promises not fulfilled, we remain cognizant of the greatest injustice ever inflicted on our county’s and Maine’s economy.

Having been denied the completion of a highway artery has denied us equal economic opportunities, and taken away our chances for giving life to more business activity in our communities. Imagine the damage brought to our good, hardworking people, and consider the revenues that our county and our state have lost.

Our state leaders need to refocus their visionary lens and change course on implementing real economic development in Maine. A highway north needs to be completed. It can be financed with federal government funds (only half the cost of a Stealth Bomber), which have already been promised by our supportive federal delegation.

My entrepreneurial efforts in Aroostook County and throughout our state allow me to speak with an experienced and progressive voice. Beginning at a young age as a potato farmer, potato broker, shipper and starch factory owner, I was instrumental in developing modern potato and grain storage in northern Maine. I later became a general contractor throughout the state, which helped me see firsthand the many good people all across Maine. With my wife, I raised eight well-educated children, cultivated quality friendships and actively supported and participated in civic events endorsing positive agendas for families and communities.

Experience, I do have. I bring to light facts about past errors that contributed to our present sad situation, not to criticize, but to help clarify and solidify our arguments favoring the completion of a highway north, and to transmit wisdom to our future state decision-makers. Shouldn’t our vision and obligation be to create and foster a state of super economic development and developers that can bring about economic activity and prosperity?

Many people say that our country is broken. We say that our state economic policy is broken. We need a state that will listen to its people. After all, aren’t politicians representatives of the people? Rather than dictating policies to us, we ask that our government leaders genuinely listen to our ideas and prioritize action steps to address our basic needs.

John F. Dionne of Grand Isle is a representative of The St. John Valley Voice, a cross-border group of business and educational leaders, elected officials and others that aim to ensure the region’s concerns are heard in Augusta.