Weekly Column: Creating Opportunities in Augusta

July 25, 2007

Perhaps two of the biggest challenges to running an effective business is having a good plan and having access to a skilled workforce. Here in Augusta, Kenway Corporation, led by Ken Priest, is a great example of a local business that has been successful over the years developing and managing both.

Founded in 1947, Kenway has over 50 employees and epitomizes Maine’s creative economy. As many textile and paper mills have closed down, Kenway has developed products and services for the pulp and paper and industry; power industry; chemical industry; semiconductor industry; pharmaceutical industry; and others. Kenway even has a department that produces boat hulls, decks, consoles, towers, and other marine components.

Kenway’s business model has allowed it to compete successfully with other companies globally, and that is good news for Maine’s economy. Playing a supporting role in the company’s success is a host of government services and programs funded by the state and the city of Augusta through its Economic Development Office.

Most recently, Kenway received a $400,000 community development block grant (CDBG) that will help the company with its latest venture Maritime Marine. Maritime Marine was formerly Maritime Skiff, and a company Kenway had been supplying boats to prior to its purchase of the boating company. The CDBG grant is assisting Kenway with a $1.2 million building expansion to produce the boats. In addition to the CDBG grant, Kenway was also awarded Pine Tree Zone status by the state, which provides key tax incentives to help the company grow and expand its workforce. Kenway and the city of Augusta are being recognized as the CDBG Governor's Project of the Year Award on August 17th for their successful use of the program.

As a result of the company’s expansion, Kenway will need to find new skilled workers to help advance the company’s business plan. Kenway has taken advantage of another important service, the state’s Career Center. As the company’s expansion comes together, Kenway will fill approximately 13 new jobs. The Career Center is playing an important role to help fill those jobs with trained workers so Kenway does not have to focus as much time on recruiting employees and instead it can spend more time focusing on selling its products.

Kenway demonstrates what an important role government can play in helping to foster business development in Maine. Kenway’s story is by no means an isolated example of some of the great success stories happening all over our state. Government’s role should never be about competing with business, but instead Kenway proves how helpful it can be to fill in the gaps that aren’t being served by the private sector at critical times when a company is growing and expanding. The key to this success is having a good plan and good leadership for business and government to become successful partners in their shared goals for creating opportunities for Maine workers and for Maine’s economy.

Libby Mitchell is the Senate Majority Leader in the Maine Senate. She represents the communities of Augusta, Vassalboro, China, Oakland, and Sidney for District 24.