A recent Sun Journal article showing Maine’s business climate and economic standing to be last in the nation brings to mind what may have been missed opportunities.
For instance: the Dickey-Lincoln hydroelectric proposal (remember the Furbish’s lousewort?), an oil refinery in the Eastport-Machias region, a plan to develop an eco-friendly resort community in the Great North Woods, and an oil terminal/tank farm in Searsport.
I think overzealous environmentalists who have already made theirs, so to speak, greatly resisted new economic activity for fear that it would bespoil their playground. To them, job opportunities for those lower on the ladder seemed to be of little concern.
I wonder how different Maine’s national standings would be had the state been more accommodating.
Frank Koris, Rumford
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