Southern Aroostook
Development Corporation
PO Box 783
Houlton, ME 04730
(207) 521-0157
1-888-"The County"
SADC@aroostook21.com
|
"To
experience the superior quality of the Aroostook County workforce is
to experience success." Marguerite
Lawler,
Vice-President, Peoples Heritage Bank |
|
  
DOING BUSINESS IN SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK COUNTY
Larger
Employers in Southern Aroostook
|
Company
|
Industry
Sector
|
Description
|
Location
|
|
A.
E. Staley Manufacturing
|
Manufacturing
|
Starch Producer
|
Houlton
|
|
Burrelle's Press
Clipping
|
Service
|
Newspaper
Clipping Service
|
Multi
|
|
Calley and
Currier
|
Manufacturing
|
Maple Wood
Veneer Producer
|
Patten
|
|
Community Living
Association
|
Health
|
Assisted Living
Homes
|
Multi
|
|
F.A. Peabody
Company
|
Service
|
Multi-Line
Insurance Agency
|
Multi
|
|
Houlton
International Corp.
|
Manufacturing
|
H'wood Furniture
Components
|
Houlton
|
|
Houlton Regional
Hospital
|
Health
|
Hospital
Provider
|
Houlton
|
|
Katahdin Forest
Products
|
Manufacturing
|
Producer of Log
Homes
|
Oakfield
|
|
Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation
|
Manufacturing
|
Producer of OSB
Wood Sheathing
|
New Limerick
|
|
Madigan Health
Services
|
Health
|
Multi-Level
Health Care Provider
|
Houlton
|
|
Maine Brand
Manufacturing
|
Manufacturing
|
Complete Line of
Safety Work Gloves
|
Littleton
|
|
MSAD #29
|
Education
|
School
Administrative District
|
Houlton
|
|
MSAD #70
|
Education
|
School
Administrative District
|
Hodgdon
|
|
MSAD #25
|
Education
|
School
Administrative District
|
Sherman
|
|
CSD #9
|
Education
|
Consolidated
School District
|
Dyer Brook
|
|
MSAD #14
|
Education
|
School
Administrative District
|
Danforth
|
|
National Starch
Company
|
Manufacturing
|
Starch Producer
|
Island Falls
|
|
Porter
Woodworking
|
Manufacturing
|
White Ash Paddle
& Canoe Accessories
|
Patten
|
|
Smith and Wesson, Inc.
|
Manufacturing
|
Hand guns, handcuffs & police
safety equipment
|
Houlton
|
|
Ward Log Homes
|
Manufacturing
|
Producer of Log
Homes
|
Houlton
|
|
York's of
Houlton
|
Service
|
Multi-Line Auto
Dealer & Service Center
|
Houlton
|
Employment
by Industry
|
|
Total
County Employment
|
%
Change
|
|
Industry
Type
|
1984
1
|
1994
1
|
2004
2
|
2014
2
|
1994/84
|
2004-1994
|
2014-2004
|
|
Durables
|
3390
|
2730
|
2183
|
1808
|
-19.5%
|
-20.0%
|
-17.2%
|
|
Non-durables
|
3364
|
2689
|
2614
|
2364
|
-20.1%
|
-2.8%
|
-9.6%
|
|
Mining
|
19
|
8
|
6
|
5
|
-60.0%
|
-22.4%
|
-16.9%
|
|
Construction
|
1945
|
2021
|
2308
|
2575
|
3.9%
|
14.2%
|
11.6%
|
|
Transportation
& Public Utilities
|
2113
|
2455
|
2719
|
2763
|
16.2%
|
10.8%
|
1.6%
|
|
Finance,
Insurance & Real Estate
|
1337
|
1400
|
1601
|
1854
|
4.7%
|
14.4%
|
15.8%
|
|
Retail Trade
|
6039
|
8162
|
8904
|
9011
|
35.2%
|
9.1%
|
1.2%
|
|
Wholesale Trade
|
1494
|
1309
|
1471
|
1518
|
-12.4%
|
12.3%
|
3.2%
|
|
Services
|
7529
|
10147
|
12951
|
14481
|
34.8%
|
27.6%
|
11.8%
|
|
Agriculture,
Forestry & Fishing
|
688
|
698
|
910
|
983
|
1.4%
|
30.4%
|
8.1%
|
|
Total County
|
27918
|
31619
|
35666
|
37362
|
13.3%
|
12.8%
|
4.8%
|
Sources:
1Center
for Business and Economic Research, University of Southern Maine
2REMI
Projections, Center for Business and Economic Research, University of
Southern Maine
Southern Aroostook's Labor Force - People
Working Together
In southern Aroostook County, good
people are a natural resource. And
like all
natural resources, the people of Aroostook have been molded over the
centuries by their
environment. Tempered by the
diverse cultures that have drawn to this place, they have
created a rich heritage that is distinctly Northern Maine in character.
That character of Aroostook County continues
its evolution today, shaped by the forces
of the modern business environment. The
result is a people for whom work is more than
a job. People whose
dedication extends to the workplace. People
who can impact
a company's bottom line like no other factor can.
And, when you decide to call upon the people of
southern Aroostook, they will be ready.
The area has an abundant, enthusiastic and available labor force with an
absentee rate of
less than two percent. And, almost 75% of the area's population is age 45
and under.
For any business, such availability and stability are key to gaining a
competitive edge.
The Cost of Doing
Business in The County
The hard-earned value of a dollar is
intrinsic to the people and businesses of southern
Aroostook. That outlook has
developed an ideal setting for business growth - a high
quality workforce paired with a low cost of doing business.
Wage rates are significantly
lower than other New England states. The price of land, both commercial
and industrial,
is also among the lowest in all of New England.
So is the cost of building in Aroostook.
Wage Rates:
- Wage
rates for Aroostook County are competitive related to Maine and other
New England states. The
County's weekly average wage is:
ü
14% below Maine
ü
30% below Massachusetts
ü
33% below Connecticut
- Maine
workers' compensation rates are presently about 25% below the
national average.
Utilities:
- Electric
rates for Aroostook are 25% lower than the rest of New England.
The Houlton LMA area is mainly served by the
Houlton Water Company which has
the lowest cost power in the state.
|