The potato industry is vital to Aroostook County and Maine. In 2022, Maine farm potato sales were $232 million. This production helps support potato processing plants, equipment supplies companies, and machine shops and helps preserve open land. The Maine Potato Board notes that in 2022, “The total impact of the potato industry on Maine’s economy is $540 million in sales, 6,100 jobs, over $230 million in personal income, and over $32 million in state and local taxes.”

The project allows access to a state-of-the-art breeding facility to help create skilled workers for jobs with premium pay. Finally, the facility has the potential to support public education, job training, and research infrastructure for the benefit of the public and educational, government (state and federal), and private sector partners. Access to a state-of-the-art breeding facility creates skilled workers for jobs with premium pay. Finally, the facility has the potential to support public education, job training, and research infrastructure for the benefit of the public and educational, government (state and federal), and private sector partners.

The project includes significant renovations of the current Potato Storage Research building, installation of a modern sorting and data collection line for collecting data from variety development trials, and Laboratory upgrades to improve the speed and precision of new variety selection. Construction of the lab is substantially completed, with punch-out and close-out remaining. The design firm is Carpenter Associates, and the construction contractor is Building Etcetera. Funding for this project is $2,875,000 from Gov. Mills’ Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, supported by the 130th Maine Legislature.

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