PLC Member Weekly Update Oct. 13, 2022

Logging Economic Survey – PLEASE RESPOND!

Members, 

The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine and the University of Maine have launched a survey to update our tri-annual study that quantifies the economic impact of logging and forest trucking in Maine and WE NEED YOU TO RESPOND TO THE SURVEY NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 15.  Please help us by responding to the survey. You may do so immediately by clicking the link above. You should also have received a paper copy of the survey in the mail if you prefer to respond on paper.  Your participation and responses will be 100% confidential, which is similar to the prior two times that we have conducted this survey.

The study will be the first comprehensive look at the status of the logging industry in Maine since the loss of the Pixelle Specialty Solutions Jay mill pulp digester to an explosion in April 2020, and since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted economic conditions globally. It will also reflect inflationary pressures and worker shortages that are challenging the industry. Data collected will be from 2020-21.

Input from PLC Member logging contractors is critical to this process. The more participation the survey receives, the better the results, and the stronger the conclusions will be. This will be the third economic impact study of Maine’s logging industry that the PLC has partnered on. Previous studies were released in 2017 and 2020. Those studies have proven to be effective tools for educating the public and lawmakers on the issues loggers face, and in advocacy efforts by the PLC on behalf of loggers and forest truckers.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jessica Clark at jessica@maineloggers.com or (207) 688-8195. Thank you.

LOGGING ECONOMY SURVEY

Acadia Safety Dividend 2022

Acadia Insurance has announced it will pay $970,903 in premium dividends to eligible policyholder members of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC) Safety Group. Since 1999, Acadia has distributed over $13 million in premium dividends to eligible participants of this safety group. 

This is a monumental total and reflects eight straight years where the loss ratio of our group has been low enough to provide a dividend. This is due to the PLC’s membership, our focus on safety, and our efforts toward risk mitigation. A total team effort and a job well done. 

If members have questions on their dividend status, they should contact their insurance agent directly or contact the PLC.

You may read the full announcement HERE.

Logger’s Voice Fall 2022 Now Available!

The Fall 2022 Edition of  The Logger’s Voice is now available! Copies will be mailed out soon.

READ THE VOICE

PLC Membership Renewals Due Dec. 1

Renew Now!

Members, now is the time to renew your membership in the PLC for 2023 if you have not already done so. Renewal letters mailed out two weeks ago and if you have not received one yet please contact jessica@maineloggers.com. Thank you to all who have renewed already!

The PLC is your voice and advocate and is fighting for your business, your industry, and your future. We need your support to continue standing up for Maine loggers during these challenging times.

We have also made the online renewal process easier than ever and we encourage you to take advantage of this option if you prefer. To do so, click on the link below.

Renewals are due by Dec. 1. Don’t delay, renew now!

Please note – If 50% or more of your employees attended PLC Safety Trainings this year no dues will be assessed for your renewal, but we still need your online or paper renewal form filled out.

RENEW NOW

MTI Forestry Recovery Initiative Phase 2 Grant Program Now Open Deadline Oct. 18

The Maine Technology Institute’s Forestry Recovery Initiative Phase 2 grant program is now open. This is a great opportunity for contractors that want to purchase new equipment and we encourage you to explore it. The application portal for Phase 2 of the Forestry Recovery Initiative will be open from September 13, 2022 until 11:59 PM on October 18, 2022 A video recording detailing Phase 2 and the application process is available HERE. A few points to note, from the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development: Successful FRI-2 projects may include either projects that provide significant productivity improvements to an existing facility to make that business more competitive in a worldwide market or new projects that utilize new technology or processes that provide a new market for Maine wood resources. Approximately 20-30% of the available funds will target significant productivity improvement projects. For strategic projects, MTI expects a maximum award of $2M with an anticipated minimum of $500K. (MTI reserves the right to adjust these limits based on an assessment of the applications received.) For productivity enhancement projects to existing facilities, MTI expects the awards will be $250K – $1M. (MTI reserves the right to adjust these limits based on an assessment of the applications received.)” The process is similar to before; however you will need to sign up for a “Unique Entity ID (UEID)” instead of a DUNS number. You do not need to “register your business,” that is for government contracts. Additional information, including how to apply, is available through the link below. LEARN MORE/APPLY

Thrive Maine Forgivable Loan Program

Applications Open Oct. 4!

Thrive Maine is a program to help Maine small businesses recover from financial setbacks due to the pandemic. Administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), the program provides forgivable loans in amounts from $10,000 to $2 million to eligible Maine businesses and nonprofits. The program will offer two separate application periods, with the first period opening on October 4, 2022.

The forgivable loans will be deployed on a first-come, first-served basis, so now is the time to get prepared and gather the necessary information needed for your application.
To be eligible to apply, a business must demonstrate that it has experienced a COVID-related negative economic impact in one of these categories: loss of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), expenses incurred, or increased capital project costs.

Businesses must be in good standing with the State of Maine currently and ongoing to have the loan forgiven at 25% over each year in a four-year period.

LEARN MORE

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

PLC Online Store

Please RSVP!

PLC Safety Committee Meeting – Tuesday, Oct. 25

PLC Members, you are invited to join us in-person on Tuesday, October 25th for our fall PLC Safety Committee meeting to develop our safety training programs for 2023. The meeting will be held in Bangor at the Cross Insurance Center, at 515 Main St., in Bangor, Maine.

Lunch, provided by Acadia Insurance, will be served at noon. From 12:30-2:30 p.m. , join us, along with other PLC members, insurance agents, and trainers to develop the plan for our 2023 PLC Spring Safety Training.

Following the Safety Committee meeting, Acadia clients and agents are invited to stay for a presentation from Acadia Insurance from 3:00-3:30 p.m. to learn about claim trends, rates, and areas of focus for 2022 & 2023. 

To conclude your afternoon of safety, Acadia Insurance will be holding their 2022 Acadia Logging Meeting from 4-6 p.m. All Acadia clients and their agents are encouraged to attend. Following the meeting from 6-7 p.m. there will be refreshments, appetizers, and networking.

Thank you again for your support of the PLC and we look forward to seeing you all in Bangor for this important meeting.

Please RSVP to: office@maineloggers.com or call 207-688-8195 ext. 1

10/25/2022 Schedule:

• 12:00 – 12:30: Lunch (PLC members & guests)
• 12:30 – 2:30: PLC Safety Committee Meeting (PLC members & guests)
• 3:00 – 3:30: Acadia Program Updates (Acadia clients & agents)
• 4:00 – 6:00: Acadia Logging Meeting (Acadia clients & agents)
• 6:00-7:00: Refreshments, appetizers, and networking (Acadia clients & agents)

The purpose of the PLC safety committee is to assist PLC companies create and maintain a safe work environment. A safe work environment will not only increase productivity, but also reduce cost and ensure long-term sustainability.  The safety committee assists with planning for our annual safety training events. 

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2022, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!

Featured HumpDay Safety Videos – Fire Response and Seatbelts

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Northern Maine nabs $44 million truck bypass

Help is on the way for truckers in northern Maine carrying freight along an obstacle course of 150 residential and commercial driveways, 25 intersections, 12 crosswalks, nine stoplights, pedestrians, cyclists and a rail crossing on U.S. Route 1.

Reminder to Substance Abuse Professionals – Ensuring a Return-to-Duty Process Unique to Each Individual Employee

It has come to the attention of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that some Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP) are providing Return-to-Duty (RTD) timelines to employees who have violated the DOT drug and/or alcohol regulations before conducting the required initial evaluation and SAP assessment of the employee.  Doing so directly contravenes 49 CFR Part 40 and potentially compromises public safety.  It also undermines the SAP’s role in evaluating each individual employee and directing that employee to get the specific help the employee needs. 

Peru Logger Andy Irish named President of ALC

PERU — Andy Irish, a founding member of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, was sworn in as president of the American Loggers Council on Sept. 24 at the group’s annual meeting in Branson, Missouri.

Liquid Wood maker hopes to open East Millinocket biorefinery in 2 years

People working in the Maine woods may find a new viable market for their low-grade lumber if a Canadian company’s plans to build a biorefinery at the former East Millinocket mill site come to fruition.

Nine graduate from Mechanized Logging Program

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Maine — Graduates of Maine’s only college training program for operators of mechanized logging equipment were recognized Thursday, Sept. 15 at a ceremony held at the site in Summit Township where they have spent weeks harvesting timber using sophisticated machines utilized in the contemporary logging industry.

October 2022 Newsletter from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

      Hanover man killed by falling tree while logging property in Andover – WGME

TRUCKING DISCOUNTS THROUGH THE ALC!

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts on truck purchases! Click on the brand names below to learn more!

PETERBILT

WESTERN STAR

INTERNATIONAL

—

Fabian Oil Discount

Traction Heavy Duty Special

Wallingford’s Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

Scandinavian Forestry Equipment

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! 

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