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Friday, December 10, 2004 DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine – Governor John Baldacci today paid tribute to a Piscataquis County business for their certification as a Pine Tree Zone company. Pleasant River Lumber Company will be upgraded significantly as part of its participation in the Pine Tree Zone program, which provides tax incentives to spur economic growth in eight targeted regions of the state where unemployment is high and wages are relatively low. “I am particularly pleased to see this family-owned company receive the Pine Tree Zone certification,” said Governor Baldacci. “The Brochu family has a long history of providing good quality jobs and adding value to Maine lumber. This is just another example of how a company can participate in the Pine Tree Zone program and make a significant capital investment in a business where we need jobs the most. This type of investment is what we are seeing as a result of this program throughout the state.” Company president Luke Brochu owns Pleasant River Lumber with his two brothers, Adrian and Guy, Adrian's two sons Christopher and Jason, and their family friend and certified public accountant Rodney Irish. The group purchased the company on June 1, 2004 and currently employs 87 people. “We plan to invest approximately $5 million in the plant to purchase a new primary breakdown unit and an Edger Optimizer,” said Luke Brochu. “This investment will bring us up to date with current technology. We are in a commodities business so we need to do whatever we can to recover as much lumber as possible from each and every log.” Several new positions will be created as part of a planned upgrade to the mill, which will allow the company to become more efficient. The company sells dimension framing lumber for the housing industry. They sell to wholesaler customers all over the country and they generate their product from Maine spruce logs. This family-owned dimension lumber mill is currently the only mill of its kind owned 100 percent by Maine people. “The supply of spruce logs in the area is adequate for our current needs and our expansion plans,” added Brochu. With regard to the Pine Tree Zone program, he said, “This is a wonderful program for economic development that allows us to retain the 87 employees who work here now, and to add more jobs over time. We have been impressed with the quality of the workforce. Their commitment and dedication will go a long way to making the company successful well into the future.” For further information on the Pine Tree Zones, go to www.mainebiz.org or call the Maine Office of Business Development in Augusta at (207) 624-9800 |
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