Civil and Municipal - Jan 2024

PROUD TO BE PART OF THE VIBRANT PRESQUE ISLE COMMUNITY www.mmgins.com 1-800-343-0533 Headquartered in Presque Isle, Maine, MMG Insurance writes property and casualty insurance in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Our products fit policyholders’ personal and business needs at competitive prices. Compare, and discover the superior service and value you get with MMG Insurance. five states along the east coast, and access to air travel allows the Company to remain deeply rooted in the Presque Isle community while also serving their independent insurance agency partners and policyholders across their geographic footprint.” The transformation of Presque Isle’s airport is part of a larger narrative. Weibley shares a fascinating story about the Presque Isle Industrial Park and the airport, which were once part of the Presque Isle Air Force Base. The city’s proactive efforts turned vacant spaces and the old fire station-turned-terminal into thriving hubs of activity and new speculative buildings. Weibley reveals plans for an aerospace research and development park near the airport, included in last year’s airport master plan. The park, receiving a $4.5 million grant, will host Vault Enterprises’ new R&D headquarters, supporting local economic diversification and technological growth.Additionally, Presque Isle addresses labor shortages with two initiatives. One, in collaboration with the Northern Maine Development Commission, aims to attract young professionals. The other, based at Northern Maine Community College, targets individuals with refugee status or international visas, uniquely integrating education, housing, and employment on a community college campus to foster a vibrant business community. REVITALIZING THE DOWNTOWN In the heart of Presque Isle, a transformation is underway, reshaping the downtown area into a vibrant and historically rich center. Weibley shares the story of this remarkable evolution with palpable enthusiasm. Upon arriving in Presque Isle four years ago, he saw a downtown brimming with charm and potential. “I was immediately struck by the compactness and character of our downtown,” he recalls.“Unlike many places, we’ve preserved our buildings instead of turning them into parking lots.” This preservation has laid the foundation for a downtown revival that rivals larger areas like Bangor. Central to this revitalization is the focus on historical preservation, evidenced by a unique project involving a music store. Weibley shares, “They’re restoring the entire facade, and the mason working on it is the great-grandson of the original bricklayer.” This story of generational continuity showcases the community’s deep roots and highlights the commitment to maintaining the historical essence of the downtown. Weibley discusses Presque Isle’s climate resilience and energy efficiency strategies, including a warm loan program offering low-interest loans for commercial rental property energy improvements. This initiative demonstrates the city’s commitment to sustainability and is recognized by the state of Maine.Additionally, a key development in downtown revitalization is the creation of the second-largest Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the region. As a result of collaboration with local stakeholders, this TIF district is driving a $35 million downtown redesign project, stretching from the University 185 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01 PRESQUE ISLE , MAINE