BAILEYVILLE, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today attended the grand opening of St. Croix Tissue, Inc. in Baileyville where he delivered remarks applauding the mill on its success and investments in Maine's forest economy.

“This is a great day – it is a great day because forest products is at the heart of Maine. There are three great resources that we have in this state: the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine, the forests and farms of our state, and our wonderful people,” said Senator King in his remarks. “And this is a manifestation of what we can do when we work in partnership, when we have passion, when we stay the course and have perseverance, and when we have a visionary plan for how to pull it all together. So I want to thank everyone who has been involved for the efforts that you have made, and for the commitment that has been made to this community and to the State of Maine. This is going to make a difference for another generation.”

Prior to the formal program, Senator King joined Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin (R-Maine) on a tour of the facility. Both Senator Collins and Congressman Poliquin also spoke during the event.

Senator King continues to work in support of Maine’s forest products industry, including sending a letter with Senator Collins in March that called for the U.S. Department of Commerce to take steps to bolster Maine’s forest-based economy following several mill closures. In response, the Commerce Department formed and deployed an Economic Development Assistance Team (EDAT) to Maine that is now working on a multi-agency action plan to strengthen the future of Maine’s forest products industry. On the same day that they announced the EDAT’s formation at an event in Orono, Senators King and Collins and Congressman Poliquin also announced that the Economic Development Administration is awarding $4.4 million in grant funding to strengthen and support innovation, manufacturing, and economic development initiatives across Maine. Additionally, the Department of Defense is awarding $3.3 million in grant funding to the UMaine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute for Wood to Jet Fuel, bringing the total investment to $7.7 million.

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