Ashland Sawmill to Nearly Double Production
Irving Forest Products plans to expand its Ashland sawmill, taking annual lumber production from 130 million to 250 million board feet. The project is expected to create and retain around 220 full-time equivalent jobs, plus work for construction crews, loggers, truckers and railroad workers. That’s a big boost for the County and for Maine’s forest products industry.
$5.6 Million to Train 500 Maine Workers
Maine has landed nearly $5.6 million in federal funding to train 500 workers for skilled jobs in defense shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, construction and the trades. With so many employers still short on workers, this is a welcome investment and one worth watching as it rolls out.
Some Canadian Farm Inputs Now Exempt From Tariffs
Sen. Susan Collins announced that nine categories of products important to Maine agriculture will be exempt from U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. The list includes paperboard cartons, plastic boxes, refrigeration equipment, sorting and packing machinery, and seaweed and algae products. For farms and food businesses that buy these from Canada, that’s some real relief on costs.
USDA Drought Help for Farmers and Livestock Producers
USDA is offering drought assistance to Maine farmers and livestock producers after a tough season. Producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and see what recovery help is available. If drought hit your operation this year, that call is the place to start.
Public Advocate Warns Community Solar Companies
Public Advocate Heather Sanborn sent a letter to about a dozen community solar companies warning against “misleading” offers to customers in the state’s low-income electric assistance program. Some companies are offering 20% bill discounts, but those customers can now get up to 80% off through the program, and her office says it may seek enforcement at the PUC if the marketing doesn’t change.
Campaign Trail: Election Day Is Today
Here’s a quick look at where things stand heading into Tuesday, November 3.
- Control of the Legislature: Democrats hold 75 of the 151 House seats to 73 for Republicans, with 3 independents or unenrolled members, and lead the Senate 20-14. Outside groups had spent nearly $4.4 million on legislative races as of October 26, according to the BDN. Democratic-side money makes up about 90% of spending in the three most expensive Senate races, all in Republican-held seats, while Republican-side money leads in 6 of the 7 most expensive House races. Whoever holds the majorities will set the agenda on energy costs, taxes and the next state budget in the 133rd Legislature.
- Top of the ticket: The U.S. Senate race between Sen. Susan Collins and Troy Jackson is still a toss-up. A recent CNN poll had Jackson at 49% and Collins at 45%, within the margin of error, while Fox News had it tied at 49% and Trafalgar Group had Collins up by half a point. In the governor’s race, Hannah Pingree leads Bobby Charles by about 9 points in the RealClearPolitics average, though one Marist poll showed a 44-44 tie. Turnout looks strong, with about 315,000 absentee ballot requests, and the BDN says not to expect a final Senate result Tuesday night.
- Data center votes in 8 towns: Brownfield, Eliot, Freedom, North Berwick, Peru, Sabattus, Wells and Wiscasset will vote Tuesday on data center bans. Most are temporary moratoriums, while North Berwick is weighing an outright ban, and at least 21 municipalities have already adopted similar ordinances. The Legislature passed a statewide moratorium in April that Gov. Mills vetoed, and all three candidates for governor have said they would have signed it, so expect the issue to come back next session.
Around Augusta
The Legislature is between sessions, but study groups and agencies kept working last week.
- Economic forecast update: The Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission met October 29 to update Maine’s economic outlook. State revenue staff reported that fiscal year 2026 closed with General Fund revenue ahead of budget, led by individual income, corporate and sales taxes, but said the early months of this fiscal year are running close to budget and “much tighter.” The commission’s report is due November 2, with the next forecast due April 1.
- Protecting personal info in public records: The Right to Know Advisory Committee met October 27 and is working on shielding information like account numbers from public records requests, with a short list of items treated as sensitive as Social Security numbers plus a broader standard for everything else. Members also looked at draft legislation requiring police chiefs to take records training. The next meeting is tentatively set for Thursday, November 19 at 1 PM, with a report due in early December.
- Timber harvesting rule hearing today: The Maine Forest Service holds its public hearing on the Chapter 27 timber harvesting rule today, Monday, November 2 at 10:30 AM in Room 101 of the DACF Deering Building in Augusta. Written comments are due Monday, November 16 at noon.
- Coming up: The Real Estate Property Tax Relief Task Force meets Wednesday, November 4 at 10 AM in State House Room 126, where staff are expected to bring draft language on property tax deferral proposals ahead of a December 15 report. The commission reviewing Maine’s condominium and community association law meets remotely Thursday, November 5 at 9 AM.