Maine Senate gives initial support to Sen. Tipping bill to spur economic development in Lincoln

Posted: April 08, 2024 | Senator Tipping

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, April 3, the Maine Senate gave initial unanimous approval to a bill from Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono. As amended, LD 2270, “An Act to Create the Lincoln Mill Facilities District,” would form the Mill Facilities District to support funding a new wastewater treatment plant and other infrastructure facilities. This would allow new economic development, transforming the former Lincoln Paper and Tissue Mill Site into the Lincoln Technology Park.

“The Town of Lincoln deserves every opportunity to pursue economic redevelopment of a mill that once powered the local economy,” said Sen. Tipping. “After being idle for many years, the town has acquired the mill site out of bankruptcy. It currently has several active proposals for redevelopment. This bill would facilitate this development and help finance new wastewater facilities, helping innovative industries to reuse wood residuals from the North Maine Woods.”

The Town of Lincoln is redeveloping the former Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill Site, which the town now refers to as the Lincoln Technology Park. The goals for the redevelopment of the Lincoln Technology Project over the next ten years include:

  • Attract six new technology businesses that
    • directly create
      • 700 new jobs,
      • $75 million in annual wages and benefits,
      • $5 million in annual property taxes to the Town of Lincoln; and
    • indirectly create
      • 1,000 new jobs,
      • $300 million in total local economic impact,
      • $100 million in annual wages and benefits, and
      • $10 million in annual taxes to the Town of Lincoln.

The town is seeking sources of state and federal funding to help with redevelopment work. The funds will clean up the site and rebuild its infrastructure. It is projected to cost $60 million to $65 million.

In particular, LD 2270 would help the town apply for a federal low-interest loan to finance a new industrial wastewater treatment facility. The estimated cost for the facility is $12 million to $15 million. The USDA has advised the town that it would be interested in working with, and funding, the proposed Lincoln Mill Facilities District.

The bill faces additional votes in the Senate and House.

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