For the last several years the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce has called for increased state investment in the state’s declining infrastructure. For far too long, transportation and educational facility repair and replacement needs have been ignored by state policymakers.
That changed suddenly in August of 2013 when the governor called the Legislature back into special session. With overwhelming bipartisan majorities, the Legislature approved, and the governor signed on to, five bond questions that will appear on the November ballot.
The chamber’s board of directors endorses all five bonds for the more than 500 local jobs and other economic opportunities they represent.
More than 40 chamber members were actively involved in the discussion of the bond issue questions and they concluded that these investments should be made in our state.
After discussion, which continued over two meetings, the chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee recommended approval of all five questions. In their deliberations, the committee noted that if the $150 million in borrowing is approved, the state’s total general fund indebtedness would still be below the level it was in 2010.
It was noted that there are specific projects in Questions 2, 3 and 5 that will benefit the local communities. Under the University Bond Issue, Question 2, there would be funding for upgrading the laboratory facilities at Lewiston-Auburn College, anatomy and physiology and occupational therapy.
Under the Transportation Bond Issue, Question 3, there are a number of important projects, including three bridge and five highway projects, valued at $17.62 million and $1.5 million, for the Industrial Rail Access program, which has been very important to the local area.
It is estimated that the number of jobs created/supported by the $100 million transportation bond would be 1,400 or more jobs statewide — 500 of which would be in Androscoggin County.
Question 5, the bond for the community colleges, includes $2.35 million for a new building at Central Maine Community College, which would provide additional needed classrooms and science labs.
At its October meeting, the chamber’s board of directors considered the recommendation of the Business Advocacy Committee. After much debate and discussion, the board unanimously voted to approve the recommendation of the committee.
Advocacy Committee Chairman Clif Greim, president of Harriman Associates, wrote, “These bonds are not only very targeted and needed investments in our state institutions, but also represent our confidence and willingness to invest in our state priorities. This is a positive message which, in my opinion, could not come at a more appropriate time.”
Chip Morrison is president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce in Lewiston.
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