PLC Member Weekly Update Sept. 3, 2021
In this Issue:
Logger Relief – Apply Now!
MLOP Visits – Now Underway!
Logger’s Voice Summer Edition – Now Available!
S. Maine Golf Tournament – Teams and Sponsors still needed!
Logger Expo – Free Passes!
PLC Store – Many items for sale
Safety Resources – Spring Trainings available online!
Trucking – Updates weekly
Classified listings – Check them out!
Member Discounts – Many to choose from
Logging News – Latest headlines
Pandemic relief funds for timber harvesters and haulers released!
Members,
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced in July that $200 million in aid for timber harvesters and haulers included in a bipartisan $900 billion COVID-19 relief package approved more than six months ago would be released and Maine loggers and truckers could begin applying for the funds July 22.
The full announcement by USDA may be found HERE, including details on who is eligible and how to apply.
Loggers and truckers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 22 through Oct. 15, 2021. The relief program is being called the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program (PATHH) and is administered by FSA in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.
Who is eligible?
Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2019, are encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for payments, individuals or legal entities must be a timber harvesting or timber hauling business where 50% or more of its gross revenue is derived from one or more of the following:
-Cutting timber
-Transporting timber.
-Processing of wood on-site on the forest land (chipping, grinding, converting to biochar, cutting to smaller lengths, etc.).
How much aid can I receive?
Payments will be based on the applicant’s gross revenue received from Jan. 1, 2019, through Dec. 1, 2019, minus gross revenue received from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 1, 2020, multiplied by 80%. FSA will issue an initial payment equal to the lesser of the calculated payment amount or $2,000 as applications are approved. A second payment will be made after the signup period has ended based upon remaining PATHH funds.
The maximum amount that a person or legal entity may receive directly is $125,000.
How do I apply?
Loggers and truckers can apply for PATHH beginning on July 22 by completing form FSA-1118, Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program application, and certifying to their gross revenue for 2019 and 2020 on the application. Additional documentation may be required. Visit farmers.gov/pathh for more information on how to apply.
Applications can be submitted to the FSA office at any USDA Service Center nationwide by mail, fax, hand delivery, or via electronic means. To find a local FSA office, loggers and truckers can visit farmers.gov/service-locator. They can also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance.
Information on where to locate your nearest Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Maine is available HERE.
Webinar, Q&A
FSA hosted a stakeholder webinar on the new PATHH program last Thursday. If you missed it the recording is available HERE.
The American Loggers Council has also provided a helpful Q&A on PATHH. It is available HERE.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the PLC.
APPLY HERE
Contractors invited to visit MLOP program and students!

Members,
The Mechanized Logging Operations Program (MLOP) is now well underway in the woods northeast of Old Town, and with the class now less than six weeks from graduation we are encouraging contractors seeking employees to contact Donald Burr at (207)-356-1541 and let him know what position(s) you are seeking to fill so he can begin the process of setting up interviews with students who could be a good fit for your needs. You can view information on the students HERE.
Contractors are invited to visit the program anytime! Just contact Don to set up a visit!
Logger’s Voice Summer Edition Now Available!
The summer edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available! Copies have been mailed out!
READ IT HERE
Log A Load Southern Maine Golf Tournament! Teams and Sponsors Still Needed!
Only 21 days to go!!!
If you have not already registered for or sponsored the PLC’s upcoming Log A Load for Maine Kids Southern Maine Golf Tournament on Aug. 27 there is still time! We look forward to seeing you at this important event at Kezar Lake Country Club in Lovell to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals right here in Maine.
Last year we raised more than $27,000 at the tournament, and we hope to exceed that amount this year.
There are still team registration and sponsorships available! You don’t have to be a golfer to play, this is all about helping the kids! Don’t delay! Register or sponsor now through the online link below or by mail if you prefer.
If you have questions please contact Jessica at jessica@maineloggers.com or by calling (207) 688-8195.
REGISTER OR SPONSOR ONLINE
PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM
Free Passes to the Bangor Logger’s Expo!
Admission to the Northeastern Forest Products Expo in Bangor, ME on Sept. 24th & 25th has changed for 2021. To attend for free, you must get your passes ahead of time from a vendor. As a vendor, the PLC is entitled to a select number of free passes that we can distribute in advance of the Expo.
As a PLC member benefit, we are offering each of our members up to 4 FREE passes ($10 each at the door). To take advantage of this offer, please respond by Friday, August 6th and let us know how many passes you would like and where to send them.
Click here request your FREE passes!
ALC Annual Meeting Registration Packet
PLC Online Store
Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.
CHECK IT OUT HERE
Safety Resources
Spring Trainings Now Available Online!
Members Only!
GO TO MEMBERS ONLY
Register Now! – Free Lockout/Tagout Training
SafetyWorks! and the Maine Department of Labor are thrilled to host Georgia Tech as they provide FREE training on OSHA’s Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Standard.
This half-day course will highlight lockout/tagout hazards found in manufacturing facilities, and preventing lockout/tagout accidents by implementing an effective energy control program.
The course will take place at the SafetyWorks! Training Institute in Augusta. It will be available on two separate dates: August 10th and August 11th.
Click here to register for August 10th: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/free-lockouttagout…
Click here to register for August 11th: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/free-lockouttagout…
NE Safe Logger
Now is a great time for online training!
NE Safe Logger:
Northeast Safe Logger is an entry level safety and workers’ comp. compliance training program for new entrants to the industry. This is a way for your company to create a culture of safety and reduce risk with a program created by loggers for loggers.
· 16 hours of interactive online training
· Complete on a computer, tablet or smart phone
· Done at the users’ own pace anytime day or night
Upon completion participants will get the discounted “certified logger” rate for workers’ compensation insurance in the State of Maine. Visit www.tcnef.org/nesafelogger/ for more information on pricing.
Log-ins are limited and will be awarded on a first come first served basis. Your company will be put on a wait list if all the log-ins are in use.
LEARN MORE about these training options by emailing Jessica at jessica@maineloggers.com or calling (207) 688-8195.
Trucking
Update on Frenchville Bridge Work
07-16-21
ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE FROM JULY 2, 2020:
FRENCHVILLE – The Maine Department of Transportation is replacing a culvert under the Gagnon Brook Bridge in Frenchville. This bridge carries Route 1 over Gagnon Brook. This project area is about a half-mile south of the intersection of Route 1 and Pelletier Avenue. Drivers should expect a single-lane traffic pattern during this work. The contractor on this work is Ed Pelletier & Sons Co. out of Madawaska. The contract amount is $2,960,000.
Logging Industry News
Logging students at NMCC get hands-on experience
BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Logging students at Northern Maine Community College are getting some much-needed hands on experience.
Thanks to the hard work of Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden, Maine loggers finally have access to $200 million in COVID relief funds promised to them seven months ago. This aid designated specifically for their industry is a historic first for timber harvesters and haulers.
Member Discounts
Fabian Oil Discount
Traction Heavy Duty Special
Wallingford’s Discounts
Maine Trailer Discounts
Scandinavian Forestry Equipment
Sullivan Tire Discount Skidder Tires
PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons
Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!
Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!
Classifieds
PLC Classified Section
Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or are looking for employment – check it out!