PLC Member Weekly Update Sept. 30, 2022

Campaign Fund Raising – Please Respond by Oct. 1!

*If you have not yet contributed please do so immediately, the deadline is TOMORROW

As a member of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC) you know that one of the primary objectives of this organization is to advocate on your behalf at the state legislature.  The key to our recent success in Augusta has been establishing and investing in long-standing relationships with policy makers. We do this in many ways, but we do know that fundraising and campaign contributions can also take our efforts a step further.

As we prepare to elect a new legislature, it’s essential that we help candidates, especially those new to the legislature, understand how important loggers are to the forest products industry.  To keep a seat at the table and ensure our participation in every policy conversation, we must engage our association in the fundraising conversation for candidates. 

Similar to what we did in 2016, 2018 and 2020 the PLC is continuing a political fund-raising effort to provide modest donations to Maine House and Senate leadership campaigns in both parties. These donations will help the PLC build relationships, reinforce our role as the advocacy organization for Maine loggers, and underscore our importance.  We also must create positive relationships with candidates on both sides of the aisle in order to be effective in the State House in the long term.

We know that money is tight for your company and this may not be something you can afford.  That said, the PLC is not creating a Political Action Committee and by law we are only allowed to collect $5,000 per year for campaigns, therefore, we are only seeking small donations.  To be effective this fall before the election we must receive your donations by October 1st. 

Please consider a small donation. If every PLC member gave $100 to this effort, we would reach our goal in a short period of time.  If this is something you have an interest in, please click the link below to indicate what amount you can contribute and how you prefer to pay,by credit card or check (payable to the PLC of Maine).

Thanks very much for your support of the PLC and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Dana Doran, Executive Director

DONATION LINK HERE

PLC Driver Shortage Survey

The PLC is partnering with the Maine Community College System to increase the number of commercial drivers that are available to work for your companies. Next week, a class of 45 students will be completing their CDL program at Eastern Maine Community College and in 2023, a CDL program will be offered to both cohorts of the Mechanized Logging Operations Program. That’s right, there will be two cohorts of MLOP in 2023 and both programs will offer a CDL course as well!!

To help recruit drivers from all of these upcoming programs, the PLC needs to know how many drivers you need now and in the future, along with your location. We will send this information to each program and be sure that all students know that there are great opportunities for drivers in this industry. 

SURVEY LINK

MTI Forestry Recovery Initiative Phase 2 Grant Program Now Open

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

Welcome New Member

Masardis Logging Inc. of Masardis joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in September, 2022. The company has a professional staff of 3. To learn more, contact Douglas Burby at 207-551-1376 or masardislogging@yahoo.com

Welcome New Preferred Supporting Member

Allegiance Trucks of Fort Kent joined the PLC as a new Preferred Supporting Member in May 2022. Allegiance is an authorized International®, Hino, Isuzu, and Ford dealership serving the Northeastern United States carrying a large selection of new and pre-owned inventory. To learn more, contact Gary Daigle at (207) 834-6186 or gdaigle@allegiancetrucks.com or go to www.allegiancetrucks.com

Welcome New Supporting Member

Falcon Forestry Equipment, headquartered in Brightwater, New Zealand joined the PLC as a new Supporting Member in June of 2022. Falcon Forestry Equipment designs and manufactures a range of mechanized steep slope logging equipment that helps crews reduce health and safety risk, increases the efficiency and productivity and future-proofs your logging operation. The Falcon Forestry Equipment range was developed with one single objective. To get people off the hill in high-risk working conditions and save lives. For more information contact Kyle PakiPaki at kyle@dce.co.nz  or visit www.falconforestryequipment.com

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 – Dehydration and Wheel Safety

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Canada to repeal COVID-19 Border Restrictions

OTTAWA—Canada will scrap its remaining Covid-19 border restrictions on Oct. 1, bringing an end to pandemic policies that have dramatically slowed cross-border traffic between Canada and the U.S.

Rapid Response Services  Available

Maine’s Department of Labor has contacted the PLC to remind our members that if any need to lay off workers due to reductions in pulp deliveries at Sappi, ND Paper or Woodland due to the forthcoming closure at Pixelle there are Rapid Response Resources avaialable. LEARN MORE

Maine mills are adapting: Hopes that paper will still prosper despite Jay mill closure

State data shows the state’s paper industry still brings in more than $2 billion a year in sales. While the number of mills overall have declined, experts believe the ones still running have a good footing that should set the industry up for future investment.

FRA Forestry Forum – Meeting Announcement – Thursday, October 6, 2022

Collins, Baldwin introduce resolution recognizing National Loggers Day

Senate resolution highlights the many contributions and economic benefits of the logging industry in the United States

Maine’s North Woods are a carbon storage machine. They could do even more for climate mitigation

For more than 200 years, Maine’s North Woods, in excess of 10 million acres, have supported a timber-based economy along with wildlife and outdoor recreation.

$1.5 million graant to improve forest conservation in Western Maine

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