Senator Collins Delivers Remarks at 25thAnnual Meeting for Professional Logging Contractors of Maine
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Bangor, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine’s 25th Annual Meeting. She was also presented with the Impact Award in recognition of her steadfast support of the forest products industry as well as her successful efforts to secure COVID-19 relief for loggers.
The PLC of Maine’s meeting focused on an array of issues that impact the forest products industry. They also raised money through their “Log a Load Auction,” which benefits local Maine children.
“Throughout Maine’s history, our forest products industry has supported good-paying jobs, driven local economies, and strengthened rural communities,” said Senator Collins. “I was delighted to attend the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine’s 25thAnnual Meeting this morning, where I heard directly from our loggers and haulers about the issues impacting their industry. I was also honored to receive the Impact Award for my work to deliver more than $200 million in critical financial assistance to the forest products industry during this difficult time. I look forward to continuing to be a strong partner on issues to support this resilient industry and its talented employees.”
Maine’s logging industry is a linchpin of the state’s economy, generating an estimated $619 million in economic output and providing $342 million in income to around 9,000 Mainers, most of whom live in rural communities.
Last year, Senator Collins and Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) introduced the Loggers Relief Act to establish a new USDA program to provide direct payments to loggers who have been seriously impacted by the pandemic. Senator Collins, a lead negotiator of the COVID-19 relief bill that was signed into law in December, successfully secured the inclusion of the Loggers Relief Act and $200 million in funding in the final package. Following a push led by Senator Collins and Congressman Golden, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened the Pandemic Assistance to Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) application process in July. To date, nearly 300 PATHH applications from Maine loggers and haulers have been approved, and most have received initial payments totaling $566,000. Additional secondary payments are expected to be disbursed in the coming weeks after the remaining pending applications are processed by November 15.
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