PLC Supporting Member Weekly Update May 17, 2024

PLC’s 29th Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction

The PLC’s 29th Annual Meeting and Log A Load Auction was a great success and we would be remiss if we didn’t take time to thank everyone who attended, sponsored or donated to this wonderful event. Thanks to your generosity we raised over $186,000 for Log A Load for Kids. Again, thank you to our sponsors, Members, Supporting Members, and everyone who made this year’s meeting one for the ages!

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast holds 29th Annual Meeting May 9-10

Record $186,007 raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Maine and Vermont. 2024 Awards presented to businesses and individuals

ROCKPORT, ME – The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast held its 29th Annual Meeting May 9-10, raising a record $186,007 for Log A Load For Kids and presenting awards to businesses and individuals from across Maine and Vermont for their contributions to the logging industry.

The meeting was held at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, ME., with more than 250 attending the main events Friday. Special guests at the event included former NASCAR driver and Maine native Ricky Craven. This was the first annual meeting of the PLC since its expansion in 2023 from a Maine organization to a regional one serving loggers and forest truckers across the Northeast.

The annual meeting is the PLC’s largest event and highlighted by the Log A Load for Kids Auction raising money for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.

“Each year this special group has come through for the families served by our Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Maine, and we could not be prouder that this year we have added Vermont to the effort,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “These are very difficult times for the logging industry in the Northeast, with unprecedented market and weather challenges, and that makes this record-setting total for our auction even more impressive and inspiring. We are so grateful for the generosity shown here, and we know the families and kids are grateful as well.”

The Annual Meeting spanned two days, beginning Thursday which featured a bus tour of PLC Supporting Member Robbins Lumber’s Searsmont Eastern White Pine sawmill, lunch in Belfast, a tour of the midcoast and an evening social gathering at the Samoset Resort.

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast Applauds Maine Congressional Delegation for Supporting Loggers

AUGUSTA, ME – The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) are thankful for the support from Maine’s Congressional Delegation in sponsoring new legislation to provide relief to loggers in Maine, and across the country.

On Wednesday morning, Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) introduced the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act in the House and the Senate.  The legislation would establish a new program within the US Department of Agriculture to assist loggers who have lost income due to natural disasters.

The Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, which is similar the successful Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program from 2021, will help the logging community weather the storm of recent natural disasters ranging from wildfires, to flooding, to droughts that have been wreaking havoc across the United States. Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that experience a gross revenue loss of at least 10%, will be eligible to apply to receive loss of income assistance. The determination of revenue loss would be calculated by comparing income to the previous year’s gross income.

“Currently, there are no programs that help assist loggers with natural disasters,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast said.  “After a terribly wet summer and two consecutive warm winters, The Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act could provide a lifeline for loggers and forest truckers in Maine that have faced significant obstacles due to extreme weather conditions interrupting their work.”

The Logger’s Voice – Spring 2024 Edition

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

For more information:

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/vector-borne/lyme/month/index.shtml

With recent storms, loggers say working conditions have never been harder – BDN

At the Maine Employer Summit, short-staffed companies compete for high school hires – Newscenter

The Maine Bureau of Insurance has approved a 15.7% average rate reduction in workers’ compensation insurance premiums for business clients of MEMIC – PPH

Sappi’s $418 million expansion of Skowhegan mill continues on schedule

Maine saw increase of worker deaths in 2023 | newscentermaine.com

King, Risch Lead Bipartisan Resolution to Honor 152nd Arbor Day

Loggers and top Democrat decry Maine alliance with biggest landowners

Maine logging tensions / ‘Smart growth’ / Bangor shelter’s future

Environmental Protection Agency report shows an increase of toxic chemical releases in Maine

Webinar Covers Two of Maine’s Troublesome Pests: Jumping Worms and Browntail Moths

The Pulse: Building Sustainably with local forest products

US Forest Service funds bioenergy, pellet and biochar projects – Biomass Magazine

Vt. logging company fined for violating regulations – WCAX

Pesticides, pet stores and animal welfare: 3 agriculture bills head to Gov. Phil Scott

‘One of the biggest threats to our forests in our lifetime’ | Columns from Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

RFSI Grant Application and Webinar – Vermont Business Magazine

UVM researcher studies risks brought on by deforestation – WCAX

Lipsky shares thoughts with ed, ways and means committees | Opinion Columns | vtcng.com

The push for mass timber as a sustainable housing solution in New England

PLC Online Store

ALC Member Discounts

PLC Members, because the PLC is a member of the American Loggers Council YOU are entitled to special discounts! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

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Fabian Oil Discount

Wallingford’s Discounts

Maine Trailer Discounts

PLC Members get a 5% discount on culverts purchased at Treeline and Frank Martin & Sons

Hale Trailer discounts for PLC Members on new trailer purchases! Call Neal at 207-232-7969 for details!

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Cross Arena Discounts for PLC!