It has seemed for years that northern MaineÕs population was afflicted by gravity Ð the region kept losing people to the lower part of the state and beyond.

The closing of Loring Air Force Base in the early 1990s had a lot to do with that. Aroostook County had 86,936 residents in 1990, and by 2000, there were 73,938, a loss of just under 13,000 people, or 15 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

But those losses have slowed. The County had 73,240 residents in 2005, a drop of only 0.9 percent from 2000, according to the latest census data.

ÒOur biggest issue has and continues to be out-migration,Ó said Robert P. Clark, executive director of the Northern Maine Development Commission, a nonprofit organization that provides regional planning, economic and community development, business loans and other services. ÒI think that weÕre finally getting to the point where weÕve stemmed the flow and actually can look to see some gains in our population over the next several years.Ó

What would drive those gains? Job growth.

Across the top of Maine, companies are expanding. Louisiana-Pacific Corp. broke ground last fall on a $100 million expansion of its lumber plant, which will add up to 50 jobs to the current work force of 124.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Services center at the former Loring base, which the Pentagon targeted for closure in 2005, grew in the last year from about 350 employees to about 450. ItÕs expected to employ more than 600 by the end of 2008, as the government closes centers in other parts of the country and expands operations in Maine.

MBNA closed its Presque Isle operations last year, but in November, New Brunswick-based Connect North America announced it was opening its first U.S. unit in the vacated space. MBNA employed 150 in Presque Isle, Clark said. Connect North America wants to have 300 workers by June 1.

ÒThereÕs a lot of business activity occurring all over the county,Ó said Walt Elish, executive director of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, a public-private economic development partnership. ÒWhatÕs neat about it is that it encompasses all industries. ItÕs not just natural resource-based.Ó

WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES

Alain Ouellette, director of economic and community development at the Northern Maine Development Commission, said another intriguing aspect of the business growth is its geographic diversity Ð an important factor considering Aroostook County, at 6,671 square miles, is the largest county east of the Mississippi.

There are a lot of economies spread out over that expanse, from the paper-based in Madawaska to the lumber-based in the west, hospital and university clusters in Fort Kent and Caribou/Presque Isle, and transportation in the southern end.

ÒItÕs happening in just about every corner of the region, which we find to be a very healthy indication,Ó said Ouellette. ÒIt could be a function of manufacturing realizing that itÕs a nice region to do business in, thereÕs a labor force ready, willing and able to do the work, it could be a function of technological improvements.

ÒI think weÕre almost at that point where growth is going to take place on its own, it will feed other opportunities in other sectors.Ó

Being designated one of only 10 federal empowerment zones five years ago has been a valuable tool for Aroostook, Clark said. The zone offers tax credits, up to $3,000 per employee per year, and access to financing and other benefits.

The CountyÕs labor pool is enticing as well, said Elish. Many residents are under-employed, working two or three low-paying jobs to make a living, and are available for better quality jobs.

And the regionÕs close connections with Canada are beneficial, too. Many Canadian companies have significant operations in Aroostook, ranging from the Fraser paper mill in Madawaska to McCainÕs potato processing plant in Easton.

Frank McKenna, Canadian ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2006 and premier of New Brunswick from 1987 until 1997, will be the keynote speaker at the Aroostook PartnershipÕs annual meeting this spring, said Elish. Final details, including a set date, are still being worked out.

ÒWe want to use his address to open doors even further,Ó said Elish.

STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE IS KEY

That said, there are still impressive challenges facing northern Maine. Those interested in growing the regionÕs economy must make sure the infrastructure remains strong, said Elish. That involves everything from roads to telecommunication to the regional airports in Frenchville, Caribou, Houlton and Presque Isle, he said.

ÒWe want to make sure the foundation is strong, so when we go out and recruit a Connect North America, we donÕt have to worry if our telecom infrastructure is able to meet their needs,Ó said Elish.

Another battle, said Ouellette, comes down to perception. Northern Maine is still fighting the view of the southern part of the state that everything past Bangor is frozen tundra, moose and logging trucks.

Interestingly, said Ouellette, while that perception dominates in southern Maine, the view seems to end at the stateÕs border.

ÒThe farther we went from southern Maine, to New York and Massachusetts, the greater the interest was in discovering what the crown of Maine has to offer,Ó said Ouellette.

And northern Maine does have an attraction for people Ð provided the jobs exist. Things like world-class dog sled races, biathlon competitions, mountain bike trails, small-town life and natural beauty all add up.

ÒThe countryÕs labor force is also looking for more than just a job,Ó said Ouellette. ÒTheyÕre looking for a way of life that allows an opportunity for them to be a family, to have their kids attend schools they can trust, to live in a place where they can be part of a community.Ó

Staff Writer Matt Wickenheiser can be contacted at 791-6316 or at: mwickenheiser@pressherald. com