Sugar house CDBG application questioned

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

 DOVER-FOXCROFT – What started as a public hearing on a Community Development microenterprise grant at last week’s county commissioners’ meeting turned into a philosophical discussion about government assistance to businesses in general.

 When the dialogue ended, however, the grant was approved with two votes and one abstention.

 Shelley Weeks, the owner of Maine Highlands Sugarworks in Williamsburg Township, has applied for a $50,000 grant for new equipment to expand her business. She outlined the type of machinery she wants to purchase with the money and her five-year business outlook which includes becoming “organically-certified and branch out to other sugar-related products such as honey, strawberries and apple … The grant would allow us to reach our goal to be a productive, long-term business in Piscataquis County.”

 Christopher Winstead, the executive director of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, said that Weeks is also investing $51,860 of her own money into the expansion. “The microenterprise program is specifically designed for smaller businesses,” he said. “The grant has to be specifically spent on that equipment.”

 The CDBG program originates with the federal Housing and Urban Development authority and money is then funneled into the state’s Department of Economic Development, which ultimately approves the grants.

 But applicants also need the support of their host communities – or in the case of an unorganized territory like Williamsburg – the county commissioners.

 Commissioner James White said that it was difficult for him “to see how we can give money to competing businesses in the community. It’s like picking winners and losers.”

 But Winstead said that while people may disagree philosophically about the CDBG program, “The fact is the dollars are out there – and I want them to come to Piscataquis County, not Sagadahoc, Penobscot or Cumberland.”

 Commissioner Fred Trask said that he “somewhat agreed” with White, but said that the purpose of the hearing was not to discuss the merits of the program, but Weeks’ application specifically. “That’s why we’re here,” Trask said.

 Interim County Manager Tom Lizotte said that if Maine Highlands Sugarworks grows, “It’s not necessarily at the expense of another business. I think that by increasing the volume of the product, the demand for the product is out there, too. American consumers have an insatiable sweet tooth.”

 Steve Hobart of Blanchard, who is also a sugar producer, said that he “started from nothing and built up a successful business. Shelley is going to compete with me and that’s fine.”

 He said that he looked into grant opportunities, but said that it was a headache and preferred not to pursue them. “Anybody that can do it (apply for a grant), I admire,” he added. “There is plenty of room for expansion in Piscataquis County in that field.”

 Gail Lynch, a former county treasurer, said she objected to any program “that gives a leg up on one business over another. We have plenty of sugar producers who have started their own businesses with no government help.”

 But another supporter of Weeks’ application, Patrick Myers, noted that CDBG funds have been used to help many businesses in the county “including Bob’s Sugarhouse (in Dover-Foxcroft). Obviously, he’s been doing well – and when we bring this money into the community, it’s a win-win situation.”

 White told Weeks that “by no means” was he targeting her for criticism. “But we’re dealing with a business that’s very common in the county,” he said. “It’s nothing personal – I commend you and your family for making your business successful.”

 In the end, Trask and Commissioner James Annis voted to send the application forward while White abstained.

 Annis also commended Weeks, noting the complicated process of applying for government grants. “There are a lot of people out there who would like to get into this grant program, but they don’t want to do the work,” he said.