ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT August 2007
Due to the amount of information concerning the Maynesboro building, I’ve developed a separate report dealing with those matters and it can be found under separate cover.
The business community appears to have a wait and see attitude with the result that we seem to be in an economic holding pattern. I believe that there are several reasons for this and I’ll attempt to share my perspective on the matter.
1- In general, several of our large projects have been slower to come on line than first expected.
2- Although about to get going, the Federal Prison project has had very little that’s visible to the average person or investor.
3- The PlaceTypeplaceState PlaceNameATV PlaceTypePark is also moving slower than expected and issues such as the breakdown in the transfer of the City owned property to the State is making investors and entrepreneurs nervous. 4- The questions surrounding the various challenges facing Laidlaw Energy in converting the recovery boiler and the impact that project may have on the economic future of the
community is troubling to many.
5- The undetermined outcome of the next phase of the Route 110 upgrade.
6- The impact and realities of the $100M/yr pulp mill shutdown.
7- The general downturn in the housing and stock market.
Although some of these issues will correct themselves in a relatively short time, others like the constricting of the economy due to the loss of the pulp mill will take years to adjust. “The wait and see” attitude of stake holders adds to our problems and as is often the case, can become self fulfilling prophecies. We need to remember that it’s counter intuitive for most people to invest and take risks when conditions appear unclear and not well defined. What would have the most positive impact on the economy of StateplaceBerlin would be some bold and significant actions or investments that would signal a path forward and for others to follow.
I continue to have contact with several companies that have an interest in placeStateBerlin. Some of these companies are new to the area, but others have visited StateplaceBerlin on several occasions. At the moment a tour of the North Country has been scheduled for September 18th by DRED, with two Canadian companies interested in expanding their operations to the placecountry-regionUSA. These company officials wish to visit with some of our local companies as well as to look at possible industrial buildings and sites. As you well know, at the moment we are at a great disadvantage in regards to facilities or land.
Jim Wagner continues to receive assurances from Georgia Pacific that our interest in acquiring their land is well understood. There has been staff changes and office relocations at Georgia Pacific and this has contributed to the delays.
Norman Charest
Economic Development Director
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