PLC Member Weekly Update Dec. 2, 2022

PLC Membership Renewals Were 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 over a month ago and if you have not received one yet please contact jessica@maineloggers.com. Thank you to all who have renewed already! The deadline was Dec. 1. The PLC is extending this deadline to Dec. 15 for those who have not renewed.

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.

As a reminder, if you are in the PLC/Acadia Dividend Program and you do not renew by the deadline, your company will be at risk for non-continuance in the Dividend Program in 2023

RENEW NOW

PLC Christmas Ornaments to Benefit Log A Load for Kids!

Add some sparkle to your tree with PLC’s very own Logging Christmas Ornaments, this year in a new color – Iridescent White!!

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these ornaments go to our Log-A-Load for Maine Kids fund-raising efforts to benefit Maine’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

These high quality ornaments are made in Maine and with durable metal construction, will last for many years! Don’t wait, these ornaments sell out every year, so make sure you order yours TODAY!

Price:

1 for $12

2 for $20

4 for $36

To learn more or to order online CLICK HERE

You may also order directly by emailing Vanessa at office@maineloggers.com. Order now!

Tax Reminder: New law extends COVID tax credit for employers who keep workers on payroll

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service urges employers to take advantage of the newly-extended employee retention credit, designed to make it easier for businesses that, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, choose to keep their employees on the payroll.

The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, made a number of changes to the employee retention tax credits previously made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), including modifying and extending the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), for six months through June 30, 2021. Several of the changes apply only to 2021, while others apply to both 2020 and 2021.

As a result of the new legislation, eligible employers can now claim a refundable tax credit against the employer share of Social Security tax equal to 70% of the qualified wages they pay to employees after December 31, 2020, through June 30, 2021. Qualified wages are limited to $10,000 per employee per calendar quarter in 2021. Thus, the maximum ERC amount available is $7,000 per employee per calendar quarter, for a total of $14,000 in 2021. LEARN MORE

New Opportunity to Recruit Veterans For Your Job Openings!

Send Job Openings to PLC

Members,

The PLC is working with the nonprofit organization Boots2Roots to connect your companies with a new pool of potential skilled workers – veterans recently retired from the military or planning to be who are seeking employment in Maine.

Boots2Roots is the only organization in Maine specifically focused on preparing active duty military members up to a year before they begin their transition for immediate success in Maine, while providing a pipeline of new workforce talent to Maine employers.

The PLC has been granted access to post jobs from our members on the Boots2Roots portal. This will put your job openings in front of veterans accessing the site. As most of you are aware, many veterans have skills or experience applicable to the logging industry, and a proven work ethic. This is a great opportunity!

Send your job openings to PLC Office Coordinator Vanessa Tillson at office@maineloggers.com and she will get them posted for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at 207-688-8195.

Save the Date and Reserve Rooms Now!

PLC Annual Meeting May 5 2023

It is not too early to start thinking about the 2023 PLC Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction! The meeting will be held May 5 2023 at the Harborside Hotel in Bar Harbor. Rooms are already available to book so why not reserve a room now?

Click here to book a room or use: https://www.opalcollection.com/harborside/stay/

Group Code: MEPL050423

Steps to reserve a room at the Harborside Hotel:

1. Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
2. At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
3. You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived

 Questions? Email office@maineloggers.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

PLC Upcoming Meetings

PLC Full Board Meeting

Thursday, December 8^th from 8 am -1 pm. 

The meeting will take place at the Governor Hill Mansion, which is located at 136 State Street, Augusta, Maine.  All PLC Members invited.

PLC Safety Committee Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the Oct. 25 meeting of the PLC Safety Committee are now available. Check them out at10-25-22 Safety Committee Meeting Notes.

Acadia Safety Reminder and Dividend 2022

Acadia Dividend Announcement and Reminder: Members who are part of the PLC Safety Group Dividend Program, let’s keep our focus on safety going forward as we are currently running a positive loss ratio for 2022! This means if we can hold the line on safety, we are on track to receive another year of dividends in 2023! Since 1999, Acadia has distributed over $13 million in premium dividends to eligible participants of this safety group. This year, Acadia Insurance announced it will pay $970,903 in premium dividends to eligible policyholder members of the PLC Safety Group. You may read the full announcement on the latest dividend HERE.

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!

NEW Featured HumpDay Safety Video – Working Focused

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

USDOT Hosts Historic First Meeting of Women of Trucking Advisory Board with a Focus on Driver Safety

Loggers say unpaid debts from bankrupt biomass company are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars

A group representing Maine loggers says the recent sale of two biomass plants will do little to resolve the unpaid debts that they’re owed from Stored Solar, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this fall.

Skowhegan mill announces $418M investment to expand

SKOWHEGAN, Maine — To invest in the future of Maine’s pulp and logging industry, Sappi’s Somerset Mill in Skowhegan is moving forward with an expansion on one of its mills. 

Millinocket nonprofit touts modular homes as a possible win-win for Maine economy

A Millinocket nonprofit is looking at modular homes as a way to help alleviate the state’s housing shortage while also using forest products from the Katahdin region.

Millinocket to Searsport rail line proposed to boost distribution of wood pellets

The goal is to export Maine-manufactured wood pellets around the world, create good jobs and bolster the forest products supply chain across rura

Seedlings — November 2022

      Maine considers changing solar farm rules to protect forests – Spectrum News

      University of Maine outlines ways to recruit more women into forestry bioenergy sector

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

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