LePage kicks off Maine maple season

Contributed Article

    AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul R. LePage joined Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, legislators and Maine maple producers on the Blaine House lawn last week for an annual tradition: the tapping of a maple tree.

Maine.gov photo

    MAINE TRADITION — Gov. Paul LePage watches as the sap flows from a maple tree on the front lawn of the Blaine House into a pail held by a youngster.

    The tapping event coincides with the beginning of maple syrup season and helps promote the growing Maine industry.
    “Maine’s maple industry contributes an estimated $27.7 million directly to the Maine economy,” said LePage. “Maine’s maple industry has an annual statewide economic contribution (including multiplier effects) of an estimated $48.7 million in output, 805 full and part-time jobs, and $25.1 million in labor income. Most importantly, this industry has a huge potential for additional job creation.”
    Other key findings from last year’s study by University of Maine Professor of Economics Todd Gabe:
    • Maine has the third largest maple industry in the United States.
    • Maine’s maple industry is characterized by a relatively small number of sugarbushes accounting for the vast majority of syrup that is produced.
    • Maine’s licensed maple syrup producers have been in operation an average of 24 years, and many of the operations appear to span multiple generations.
    • Maine’s maple industry — which counts the licensed producers, and sales at retail food stores and businesses impacted by Maine Maple Sunday — generates 567 full- and part-time jobs, and $17.3 million in labor income.
    Whitcomb noted the support that Maine’s maple industry receives from a variety of sources.
    “Today’s tree tapping event is symbolic of the broad-based enthusiasm for the maple industry,” Whitcomb said.
    “This also demonstrates a tradition that makes multiple uses of its natural resources — maple syrup, wood production, recreation and open space.”
    The Blaine House tapping event also serves as a prelude to Maine Maple Sunday, which will celebrate its 32nd Anniversary on March 22, with approximately 100 sugarhouses participating throughout Maine along with the Shiretown Homecoming Maple breakfast.
    Sugarhouses will be open for visitors to enjoy syrup and candy sampling, demonstrations of making syrup, sugarbush tours, and a variety of other activities.
    For more information, visit www.mainemapleproducers.com.