AN AGRICULTURAL TRADITION

Since the 1800s, Aroostook County in northern Maine has been the agricultural basket of the state, with a long history of forestry and farm-to table-crops. Aroostook County is the number 1 producer in the state for:

  • Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, dry peas
  • Vegetables, melons, potatoes, sweet potatoes
  • Cultivated Christmas trees and short rotation woody crops
  • Cattle and calves
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES
  • Robust local crop production: over 52,602 acres of vegetables harvested, 36,000 acres of grain, and 45,823 acres of potatoes
  • Value-added food processing: Fresh and frozen food demand is up 19% at retail YOY; plant-based meat alternatives up 23% (frozen) to 48% (fresh)
  • Value-added grains for breweries and distilleries
  • Value-added grains for specialty foods
  • Hemp production, storage, CBD oil extraction and processing
  • Vertically integrated, controlled environment agriculture production
  • Strong state support for start-ups in the agriculture sector, including grants, mentorship, brand support and marketing programs
SITE ASSETS
  • On-site water treatment plant, water distribution system, and wastewater collection system
  • On-site broadband
  • On-site renewable energy: community solar farm
  • Loring Commerce Centre’s facilities are well positioned for storage and value-added processing
  • Industrially-zoned sites suitable for agricultural processing
BUSINESS SUPPORTS
  • Pine Tree Development Zone (PTZ)- Tier 1 location
  • Business Equipment Tax Exemption (BETE)
  • Opportunity Zone (OZ)
  • Municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  • New Market Tax Credit (NMTC)
  • Streamlined Permitting and Flexible Zoning
LABOR AND WORKFORCE TRAINING

Northern Maine has a motivated and affordable workforce, as well as a number of applied workforce training programs to support business growth. The State of Maine offers numerous business assistance programs to help support business growth.

Specialized training

Local community colleges and universities will help build a workforce for your business, customized to your business needs.

Pre-hire training

Maine’s community colleges offer short-term FREE training programs for workforce development.

Workforce funding

The Maine Workforce Development Compact offers member businesses training funds, scholarships, and personalized advising.

Apprenticeships

The Maine Apprenticeship Program has established “earn while you learn” apprenticeship work models customized to the specific needs of employers.

With a company that is a good fit for the Loring Commerce Centre, we have the capacity to build a workforce.
- Tim Crowley, President,
Northern Maine Community College

Please contact us to learn more about our specialized assets for next generation aviation and aerospace businesses.

Jonathan Judkins, President & CEO
Loring Development Authority of Maine
Ph: 207-328-7005
Email: [email protected]

Steve Levesque
Business Development Advisor
Ph: 207-841-9955
Email: [email protected]