Greater Portland Chambers Endorse Bond Packages
The Greater Portland Chambers of Commerce has endorsed passage of the two bond proposals on the June 11 ballot.
Question #1 is a $28.5 million bond proposal to provide funds for school renovations, sprinkler systems, and other community-based needs and improvements. Question #2 is a $34.9 million proposal targeting a variety of job-related investments in manufacturing, biomedical research, tourism, and economic and community development projects.
“Our board endorsed these proposals,” said Chambers CEO Godfrey Wood, “because we believe that now is the time to make long-term investments that will pay dividends to Maine people in terms of safer schools, stronger communities and a more vibrant economy with good-paying jobs.”
The Greater Portland Chambers, the largest business membership organization in Maine, represent 1,356 member companies, employing more than 62,000 people in Falmouth, Cumberland, Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and Westbrook.
Passage of Question 1 would capitalize the School Revolving Renovation Fund for repairs to public schools, provide grants to install sprinkler systems in University of Maine System and Technical College System dormitories and make other community-based improvements. Question #2 includes $9 million so that the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine can provide educational and technical assistance services to Maine manufacturers. Passage also would provide funds for expanded state investment in Maine's biomedical research industry, a range of other economic development initiatives as well as tourism and cultural investments in several communities.
Passage of both bonds,” said Wood, “ will give us an opportunity to take advantage of low interest rates so that we can make strategic investments in facilities and projects that will help spur Maine's economic growth.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Godfrey Wood of the Greater Portland Chambers of Commerce can be reached at 772-2811. John Diamond, manager of the Maine Economic Growth Coalition, a group formed to promote passage of Questions 1 and 2, can be reached at 852-2716. More information also is available at www.bonds1and2.com.
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