Today, in Portland, John Richardson, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) attended the groundbreaking of a windmill at family-owned Applicators Sales & Service, a wholesale building product company that was awarded Pine Tree Zone certification.

"By installing this windmill, Applicators is taking the lead by employing strategic steps to lower their costs of doing business," stated Commissioner Richardson. "Not only will the windmill help them become more competitive, but it also will reduce their carbon footprint. Utilizing green energy practices is beneficial to both the state's environment and our economy as well, and I commend them for their innovation."

Applicators Sales & Service was founded in 1958 by Dave Koocher and Jerry Robinov as a family-owned and operated wholesale building products company. Today, Applicators employs nearly 500 people in Maine and New Hampshire with five business locations. Applicators also owns and operates Paradigm Window Solutions, which manufactures the Paradigm brand of vinyl window and sliding patio doors.

The company is increasing their window manufacturing operations at Paradigm in order to meet growing demand. The initial investment is estimated at $2,265,000 for building improvements including the purchase of window fabrication machinery & equipment and employee job training.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that five companies based in Lewiston-Auburn have recently received Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's targeted industries. These companies are a great example and their expansion will considerably bolster the state's economy."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and these growing companies is significant," said Ron McKinnon, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of these growth-industry companies and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." McKinnon, in his role for DECD, worked closely with the companies to help facilitate the application process and collaboration of local officials.

-Innovex Technologies is a manufacturing and environmental technology company that designs and makes commercial and residential control products for heating and air conditioning systems. The company will, in part, use the Pine Tree Zone benefits for building improvements and employee training.

-Downeast Networks, Inc is a start-up company providing network consulting for small to mid-size businesses.

-Formed Fiber Technologies is a leading manufacturer of automotive trunk trim systems; they supply every car maker in the U.S. and Canada with interior rim material and component products. They plan to add a state-of-the-art non-woven material manufacturing line.

-Maine Oxy-Acetylene Supply Company is constructing a hydrogen and oxygen production facility to expand sales to gas and manufacturing markets.

-FIS Capital Markets is a financial services firm opening a start-up company to provide underwriting services to financial institutions.

There will be approximately 69 new jobs created from the certifications. Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified, creating over 4,100 new jobs.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that two companies based in Downeast Maine have recently received Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's targeted industries. These two companies are a great example and their expansion will considerably increase the state's aquaculture and manufacturing capacity."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and these growing companies is significant," said Janet Toth, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of these growth-industry companies and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." Toth, in her role for DECD, worked closely with the companies to help facilitate the application process and collaboration with local officials.

-Atlantic Salmon of Maine in Machiasport plans to restock four salmon farming sites in Machias Bay. Ten jobs will be created.

-Lee S. Wilbur and Company in Southwest Harbor will be expanding its product line of composite boats through construction of a new production facility and creation of 12 jobs.

Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified, creating over 4,100 new jobs.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that Atlantis Maritime in Rockport recently received a Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's manufacturing. Atlantis Maritime is a great example and their growth will bolster this area's manufacturing capacity."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and growing companies like Atlantis Maritime is significant," said Deborah Elliott, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of various manufacturing companies throughout the state and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." Elliott, in her role for DECD, worked closely with the manufacturing company to help facilitate the application process and collaboration of local officials.

Atlantis Maritime is a yacht management and manufacturing company that uses composite materials technology. The company will build a proprietary line of boats for Hunt Yachts. The investment will create 14 new jobs.

Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that six manufacturing companies based in Southern Maine have recently received Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's manufacturing. These companies are a great example and their expansion will considerably increase the state's manufacturing capacity."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and these growing companies is significant," said Brian Doyle, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of various manufacturing companies and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." Doyle, in his role for DECD, worked closely with the manufacturing companies to help facilitate the application process and collaboration of local officials.

-The Kittery Point Yacht Yard, which manufactures custom and proprietary boats, is expanding at a new facility in order to triple the amount of space available for boat building and marine services.

-The Portland Shellfish Company, Inc will be expanding their processing operations through the purchase and outfitting of an existing vacant lobster processing facility.

-Applicators Sales and Services, Inc is increasing its window manufacturing operations due to improved sales of their Paradigm windows in the Midwest and Florida.

-Eastman Industries will be expanding its commercial lawn mower manufacturing business. In 2006, the company purchased the Wisconsin-based Ingersoll Tractor Company and relocated the business to Maine.

-Fiber Materials, Inc is a manufacturer of composite products for the aerospace industry and they will use the tax incentives for facility upgrades, new equipment and workforce training.

-David Saunders, Inc will, in part, use the Pine Tree Zone benefits for upgrades in equipment and processes for their electronic manufacturing services.

There will be approximately 100 new jobs created from the certifications. Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified, with over 4,100 new jobs.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that Lohmann Animal Health International in Winslow recently received a Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's manufacturing. Lohmann Animal Health International is a great example and their growth will bolster this area's manufacturing capacity."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and growing companies like Lohmann Animal Health International is significant," said Brian Hodges, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of various manufacturing companies throughout the state and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." Hodges, in his role for DECD, worked closely with the manufacturing company to help facilitate the application process and collaboration of local officials.

Lohmann Animal Health International produces high-quality poultry vaccines for a global market and the new construction of a testing and live harvest laboratory will lead to the creation of 36 new jobs.

Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

Today, the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) announced that the start-up company, Ntension Corporation of Hermon, recently received a Pine Tree Development Zone certification. The Pine Tree Zone program is a performance-based tax incentive initiative to stimulate growth in targeted business sectors in order to strengthen the economy and create quality jobs for Maine people.

DECD Commissioner John Richardson said, "The Pine Tree Development Zones are one of our state's great initiatives that help support Maine's manufacturing. Ntension is a great example and their growth will bolster this area's manufacturing capacity."

"The impact of the Pine Tree Zone incentive program on our economy and growing companies like Ntension is significant," said Bill Osborne, the Business Development Specialist for the region. "The expansion of various manufacturing companies throughout the state and the subsequent job creation is testimony to the program's success." Osborne, in his role for DECD, worked closely with the manufacturing company to help facilitate the application process and collaboration of local officials.

Ntension designs and manufactures high-quality custom made exhibits. The company will, in part, use the Pine Tree Zone benefits for building improvements and the purchase of machinery and equipment. Five new jobs will be created.

Since the introduction of Pine Tree Development Zones in 2004, over 160 businesses have been certified.

For more information on the Pine Tree Development Zone program, visit www.businessinmaine.com.

To view a copy of Governor Baldacci's Economic Development Strategy, please visit:

Governor's Strategy