AUGUSTA (AP) — A report suggests a program created by then-Maine Gov. John Baldacci to spur development in economically depressed areas is not helping much. Some lawmakers want to scrap the program.
The Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability says the Pine Tree Development Zone program lacks accountability to assess its true capacity to create jobs, and recommends a major overhaul.
The program provides qualifying businesses with tax benefits. In exchange, businesses agree to create jobs. But those jobs don’t have to be created right away.
Maine Public reports that senior analyst Jennifer Henderson told lawmakers that the watchdog agency is unable to say how many jobs were created.
Democratic Sen. Bill Diamond, of Windham, says it’s time to ditch Pine Tree and “start over” with a new economic development strategy.
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