State News Update

Annual Tree Tapping Promotes Maple Sugar Season

Governor LePage joined Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, Legislators and Maine Maple Producers on the Blaine House lawn for an annual tradition – the tapping of a maple tree. The event coincides with the beginning of maple syrup season and helps promote the industry. This year’s event was buoyed by the results of a new study highlighting the economic impact of Maine’s Maple Industry.

According to the study, Maine’s maple industry contributes an estimated $27.7 million directly to the Maine economy. The new study also shows that Maine’s maple industry has an annual statewide economic contribution, including multiplier effects, of an estimated $48.7 million in output, 805 full- and part-time jobs and $25.1 million in labor income.

Other key findings of the study by University of Maine Professor of Economics Todd Gabe:

Maine has the third largest maple industry in the United States.

Maine’s maple industry is characterized by a relatively small number of farms accounting for the vast majority of syrup that is produced.

Maine’s licensed maple syrup producers have been in operation an average of 24 years, and many of the farms appear to span multiple generations.

Maine’s maple industry—which counts the licensed producers, and sales at retail food stores and businesses impacted by Maine Maple Sunday—generates 567 full- and part-time jobs, and $17.3 million in labor income.

The study was funded through a partnership between the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, University of Maine, and the Maine Maple Producers Association.

The Blaine House tapping event also serves as a prelude to Maine Maple Sunday, which is held every year on the fourth Sunday of March. This year, Maine Maple Sunday will celebrate its 31st Anniversary on March 23, with approximately 100 sugarhouses participating throughout Maine. Sugarhouses will be open for visitors to enjoy syrup and candy sampling, demonstrations of making syrup, sugarbush tours, and a variety of other activities.


Spring Jobs Fairs Scheduled Around the State

Spring is coming, and so are many opportunities to find a new job. The Department of Labor’s network of 12 CareerCenters will be sponsoring or participating in several career fairs. Hundreds of employers will be hiring for both permanent and seasonal positions.

Job seekers who need to update their resume or practice their interviewing skills should contact a CareerCenter for free help. To find more information about jobs fairs across the state or to locate the closest CareerCenter and information about job training programs, visit the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com.

Several of the job fairs have a special focus, such as the Occupational Licensing Fair in Portland on March 4, which will match veterans with specific employment resources.

Businesses interested in participating in these events and other free hiring services the department provides, such as Maine’s Job Bank, should contact their local CareerCenter.

The following job fairs have been scheduled to date around the state:
 

• Ellsworth: March 20, 9 a.m. to noon at Mill Mall, 248 State Street. Sponsored by Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, The Jackson Laboratory, Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Bangor CareerCenter and the Maine Department of Labor.
• Portland: March 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maine Sunday Telegram/Monster Spring Career Fair at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. Hosted by Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. FMI call Kim at (207) 791-6135.
• Machias: March 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Lee-Pellon Event Center. Employers, call Dodie at 255-1933 to register, space is limited. Sponsored by the Machias CareerCenter, the Maine Department of Labor and Northern Maine Development Corporation.
• Springvale: 4th Annual York County Regional Job Fair, March 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nasson Community Center, 457 Main Street, Springvale, ME. Sponsored by the York County CareerCenter, the Maine Department of Labor, York County Maine Military Community Network, Sanford Regional Technical Center, York County Community College, Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce and Goodwill Workforce Solutions.
• Augusta: April TBA, Augusta Armory Job Fair. Open to Veterans and the general public.
• Lewiston/Auburn: 11th Annual Androscoggin County Job Fair, Friday, April 4, 9 a.m. to noon at Central Maine Community College, 1250 Turner Street, Auburn. Employers should register online at http://www.androscoggincounty.com .
• Presque Isle: April 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northeastland Hotel. Sponsored by the Presque Isle CareerCenter, the Maine Department of Labor and Northern Maine Development Corporation. For employer registration information, call the Presque Isle CareerCenter at 760-6300 or 1-800-635-0357.
• Calais: April 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Washington County Community College Gymnasium. Employers, call Dodie at 255-1933 to register; space is limited. Sponsored by the Calais CareerCenter, the Maine Department of Labor and Northern Maine Development Corporation.
• Lincoln: April 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mattanawcook Academy, 33 Reed Drive, Lincoln. Employers contact Amanda Woodard at 207-794-3372 for registration information.
• Bangor: May TBA. Spring Job Fair.
• Pittsfield: May 14, Pittsfield Area Regional Job Fair, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Warsaw Middle School Gym and Cafeteria, 167 School Street. Registration form available athttp://www.pittsfield.org . Sponsored by the Ken-Som (Kennebec-Somerset) Transition Team and the Town of Pittsfield.
• Augusta: June 17, First Annual State of Maine Government and Maine Municipal Government Job Fair for Veterans at the Augusta Armory.

Classroom Resources Available for Maine Statehood Day
 
March 15 marks Statehood Day, which according to State statute is intended to “commemorate the admission of Maine as a state into the United States of America and the ideals and wisdom of those men and women who have formed Maine’s history and traditions.”

Maine schools are urged to observe the day and the Maine Historical Society provides a number of online resources to support classroom learning and celebrations, among them:

§  An online exhibit, To Separate or Not to Separate, That is the Question, by Candace Kanes.
§  Maine History Online, which provides information and primary sources to trace the events leading up to Maine’s official separation from Massachusetts in 1820 in the 1775-1820 Tension, War & Separation section and a focus on the years after statehood in the 1820-1850 A New State & Prosperity section.
§  In the “Themes” section of Maine History Online, the work of William King (Maine’s first governor) is highlighted under Leaders & Causes.   Peopling Maine provides a snapshot of Maine’s people.
§  Finding Katahdin: An Online Exploration of Maine’s Past includes primary sources and lesson plans.  Chapter 4, From Revolution to Statehood, includes a collection of primary sources and lesson plans suitable for middle and high school classrooms.

Additionally, the Osher Map Library of the University of Southern Maine provides several lesson plans designed for middle school students yet adaptable for elementary and high school students.  Lessons are available for download and include such topics as Maine Statehood and Comparing Maps of Maine.

The online exhibition, Printed Maps of the District and State of Maine 1793-1860, traces the growth of Maine from the first printed map in 1793 depicting five counties to the formation of 16 in 1860.