PLC Member Weekly Update Oct. 28, 2022
In this Issue:
PLC Membership Renewal – Renew Now!
Economic Impact Survey – PLEASE RESPOND NOW!
PLC Seeks Deputy Executive Director – Apply Now
New Opportunity to Recruit Veterans – Boots2Roots
Logger’s Voice Fall 2022 – Now available!
Save the Date – PLC Annual Meeting 2023
Thrive Maine – Forgivable Loans, Applications Opened Oct. 4
Cost Calculators – Members Only
PLC Store – Many items for sale
Safety Resources – Safety First!
Trucking – Latest news
Classified listings – Check them out!
Member Discounts – Many to choose from
Logging News – Latest headlines
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 one month 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
Logging Economic Survey – PLEASE RESPOND!
DEADLINE NOV. 15
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 IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. 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
PLC Seeks Deputy Executive Director
The PLC seeks a full time Deputy Executive Director whose primary responsibility will be providing oversight and leadership for the organization’s legislative and communications activities. Pending experience and credentials, the candidate could also assist the organization with credential management for professional loggers. The successful candidate should be a leader adept at meeting organizational goals and balancing internal management with external impact and visibility.
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.
Logger’s Voice Fall 2022 Now Available!
The Fall 2022 Edition of The Logger’s Voice is now available! Copies have been mailed out.
READ THE VOICE
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:
- Click on Link (can also type in the group code)
- At the top of the web site modify the dates of your stay – 1 or 2 nights
- You will not be charged until the event and the resort fee will be waived
Questions? Email office@maineloggers.com
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.
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
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
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.
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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
Trucking
Maine DOT commissioner reacts to study with poor rating for state’s rural roads, bridges
AUGUSTA, Maine – Trip, a national transportation research nonprofit group, is out with a new report reflecting poorly on Maine’s rural roads and bridges.
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.
Logging News
Federal Appeals Court Tosses Maine Logging Law
(The Center Square) – A federal appeals court has overturned a Maine law that sought to restrict Canadian workers from using the state’s roadways to transport logging products.
Maine’s Senate President battles for his job – and potentially Democratic control of the Senate
FORT KENT – It’s a sunny but chilly weekday afternoon and Maine Senate President Troy Jackson is hunting for votes along a stretch of rural roads not far from the Canadian border.
OPINION: Moosehead Regional Plan Deserves Support
The two main economic engines in the Moosehead region are tourism and residential development. But with inappropriate zoning and regulation, our assets are in danger of overuse and degradation if not protected. Tourists have a choice in where they go. Preserving the rich and historic character of the Moosehead region is vital to ensuring they’ll continue to come to this area.
Member Discounts
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!
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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!
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
Preferred Supporting Members
Enhanced Supporting Members
