Governor also visits major local employers in Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford
Dover-Foxcroft, MAINE -- Governor Mills today met with small businessowners, representatives of major Piscataquis County employers, and local elected officials during a meeting organized by the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council at the Mill Inn and Café in Dover-Foxcroft.
During the meeting, Governor Mills heard firsthand about economic development initiatives in Piscataquis County, the effects of Administration workforce and community investments, and impacts from Federal trade policy on employers and heritage industries.
"Like many people across our state, rural Maine is my home. It is where I was born and largely raised, and it is where my heart is, which is why it is so important to me that we continue to fight for the success of rural Maine in Augusta. I'm proud of my Administration's work to build new opportunities for rural businesses, to invest in rural workforce training and equipment for heritage industries, and to ensure that rural Maine is a great place for people to live, work, and raise a family," said Governor Mills. "From the success of employers in our heritage industries, like Pleasant River Lumber, to Guilford becoming the 'swab capital of the world' through the work of Puritan Medical Products, to the countless small businesses that serve communities throughout Piscataquis County, Maine's rural economy remains a cornerstone of our state. Under my Administration, we will continue to make rural Maine a priority for investment and opportunity today and into the future."
"We were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Governor Mills and share the challenges and opportunities facing Piscataquis County businesses," said Angie Arno, Executive Director of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council. "Her visit highlights the importance of small businesses in driving our local economy and strengthens the connection between state leadership and rural entrepreneurs."
Earlier in the day, Governor Mills toured Pleasant River Lumber, one of Maine's top lumber producers. Based in Dover-Foxcroft, Pleasant River Lumber owns and operates five lumber production plants, two sawmills, and trucking company in Maine.
She also visited Puritan Medical Products in Guilford, which became North America's top producer of COVID-19 testing swabs during the pandemic. In 2024, Puritan received a $250,000 grant through the state's Domestic Trade Program, an initiative of the Governor's Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, to support its efforts to build new market opportunities for its products in the United States.
"We are incredibly proud of our Guilford and Piscataquis County roots and the incredible employees who make Puritan Medical Products the amazing company it is. It was great to introduce Governor Mills to our people, the manufacturing processes and the many "Made in Maine" products that impact lives around the world," said Bob Schultz, President and CFO of Puritan Medical Products. "I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with the Governor both the successes and the challenges facing companies like Puritan and in hopes that together we can work collaboratively to address common issues. These include workforce demographics, investments in innovation and community infrastructure - all of which are critical to the long term sustainability of our communities and businesses."
Today's visits were the latest by Governor Mills around the state to hear from local business and civic leaders. Last week, the Governor visited Waterville and Gardiner in Kennebec County, Bangor in Penobscot County, and Sanford and Arundel in York County.