ATHENS, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today toured several local businesses in Somerset County, where he highlighted success stories in Maine manufacturing and emphasized the invaluable impact that businesses have in rural Maine towns as drivers of innovation, good jobs, and economic development.

“The Somerset County businesses I toured today are proof positive that manufacturing in Maine is growing more diverse and providing new opportunities, even as we work through the challenges facing our paper industry together,” Senator King said. “We are blessed with great resources in our state, like our forests and our coastal waters. But no resource is more important or more vital than our hardworking people. The key now is combining those resources with innovative thinking to put people to work, to invest in our communities – both through private money and with grant funding, which can often make a big difference – and to create new and exciting economic opportunities across Maine. Every business I saw today did just that.”

Today’s business tour has focused on Made-In-Maine and Made-In-USA products, promoting the success of Maine manufacturers, and underscoring how the revitalization of manufacturing in the state contributes to economic growth and development efforts across rural Maine.

Senator King’s day began with a visit to Tasman Leather Group in Hartland. Tasman Leather is a subsidiary of Tasman Industries Inc. and specializes in manufacturing premium-quality leather products. The tannery in Hartland is responsible for 100 percent of their “Made in USA” leathers and provides leather to companies in Maine such as L.L. Bean and New Balance.

His next stop was Maine Stitching Specialties in Skowhegan, a manufacturer of premium custom draperies, window treatments, American and Maine State flags, and other textiles, including Dog Not Gone pet visibility vets for L.L. Bean. Last year, the company received a federal grant that supported their continued growth.

Following his visit to Maine Stitching Specialties, Senator King traveled to Anson for a tour of Cousineau Wood Products. This wood products manufacturer focuses largely on the production of wooden gun stocks. The company was able to hire additional people and expand its product line with the assistance of a federal grant in 2015.

Senator King’s manufacturing tour today concludes with a visit to Maine Woods Pellet Company in Athens, a state-of-the-art business that focuses on the efficient production of wood pellets for fuel.

Photo 1: Senator King shakes hands with David Emery at Tasman Leather Group in Hartland (Courtesy of Tasman Leather Group).

Photo 2: Senator King with Alice Quirion at Maine Stitching Specialties in Skowhegan (Courtesy of Chelsea York, Maine Stitching Specialties). 

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