PLC Member Weekly Update Nov. 24, 2023

PLC Christmas Ornaments to Support Log A Load 2023 – New Designs!

Add some extra cheer to your tree with PLC’s very own Logging Christmas Ornaments, this year in new designs crafted by third-generation logger Derrick Hardy of PLC Member Herbert L. Hardy & Son, LLC (doing business as D and K Kreations)!

100% of the proceeds from the sale of these ornaments go to our Log-A-Load for Maine Kids fund-raising efforts to benefit Maine’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital and Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Don’t wait, PLC ornaments sell out every year, so make sure you order yours TODAY! 

Price: 1 for $12 or 2 for $20

To order email office@plcloggers.org,  call the office at 207-688-8195, or visit the PLC online store.

Membership Renewal Deadline Dec. 1

Renew Now!

Members, now is the time to renew your membership in the PLC for 2024 if you have not already done so. Thank you to all who have renewed already!

The PLC is your voice and advocate and is fighting for your business, your industry, and your future. We need your support to continue standing up for Northeast loggers during these challenging times.

We have also made the online renewal process easier than ever and we encourage you to take advantage of this option. To do so, click on the link below.

Renewals are due by Dec. 1. Don’t delay, renew now!

Applications Open For Funding Through Domestic Trade Grant Program

New state funding is available through The Domestic Trade Grant Program to help businesses increase their market reach and expand sales activities. This opportunity is open to Maine businesses in these sectors:

• • Agriculture – Food and Beverage
  • Clean Energy
  • Construction
  • Fishing, Seafood, and Aquaculture
  • Forestry and forest products
  • Information Services
  • Logistics, Transportation, and Warehousing
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail (includes wholesale)

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is administering the program on behalf of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

The grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, depending on the size of the business. All applicant businesses and non-profit and tribal organizations must be headquartered in Maine and have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number.

Eligible businesses can apply for direct financial support for activities that increase their capacity for sales, such as sales channel support (media campaigns, packaging design, etc.), trade shows, marketing assistance, and technical assistance.

There is an anticipated total of $6 million available, and two rounds of funding are planned. Applications for this first round of funding close on December 15 at 11:59 p.m. Funding for the program is available through Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.

GPCOG will host webinars every Tuesday at 12 p.m. from Oct. 31 to Dec. 12 to give prospective applicants and partners the opportunity to ask questions directly to the Domestic Trade Grants Team.

Go to www.maine.gov/decd/domestic-trade/grants to apply or to learn more. If you have questions, call 207-387-2919 or email DomesticTrade@gpcog.org.

You’re Invited!

Logging and Construction Industry Strategy Gathering Dec. 6th

Members, State Senator Brad Farrin (R-Norridgewock) and Milton CAT are hosting another evening logging and construction industry legislative strategy gatherings in the run-up to 2024.  One was held last week in Brewer and the second will be held Wednesday, Dec. 6 in Scarborough, and have asked the PLC to forward an invitation to all PLC Members to attend. Senator Farrin is an employee of Milton CAT, and Milton CAT is a Preferred Supporting Member of the PLC.

PLC Executive Director Dana Doran and the PLC’s new Deputy Executive Director of Legislative and Public Affairs, Ben Grant, attended last week’s event and encourage you to join them at the Dec. 6 event. Please RSVP if you have not already done so. If you plan to attend please also email Dana at dana@plcloggers.org to let him know.

These events are not sponsored by the PLC. However, they do align with our own planning and preparations for the next legislative session in 2024 and Sen. Farrin is someone who has been very helpful to the PLC since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2015.

You may view the full invitation by clicking the button below.

Please RSVP you plan to attend to Heather Priest at hezjrp@gmail.com or 207-458-5980.

Thanks and please contact us if you have any questions.

Welcome New Member!

D. R. Logging Inc. of Eagle Lake, ME joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in October of 2023. The company has a professional staff of 2. To learn more contact Derek Rioux at (207)-316-6434 or drioux88@gmail.com

American Loggers Council – Managed Forests Are Healthy Forests

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

Cross Ins TPA – December SIG Training – The Manager-Employee Relationship

PLC Online Store

PLC Upcoming Meetings

PLC Full Board Meeting

 Dec. 7 @ 9AM

Governor Hill Mansion

Augusta, ME

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2023, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!

Now FREE to Maine Loggers! A $300 value!

LEARN MORE

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

Upcoming classes:

Lifting & Rigging Safety 

November 27, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

Lift planning is essential to safe-lifting practices. This program provides a basic understanding or review of your knowledge about lifting safety in the workplace. It will help you determine what you may need for a lift and what type of equipment to use, including communications through signals, written, or verbal plans. 

Automotive Lift/Jack Stand Safety and Compliance

November 28, 2023 | 8:30–12:30 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This half-day course provides training on the proper operation of multiple types of automotive lifts, jack stands, inspection, compliance reporting, training, and documentation required by various inspection agencies. This course will have classroom and hands-on training. 

Trenching and Excavation 

November 29, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Dive, Augusta

This course explains the dangers to employees from trenching and excavation operations, soil classifications, OSHA requirements, and the types of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. You will also learn what is meant by “competent person.” 

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/.  

2024 classes will also be posted online and open to registration on 11/1.

Thank you,

The Maine Department of Labor

Autonomous trucks cutting a path in forestry sector

In an untamed Quebec forest, a Canada lynx watches curiously from the bush as a platoon of Mack Granite logging trucks, one of them operated autonomously, passes by on a remote logging road. Meanwhile in Maryland, engineers from Robotic Research Autonomous Industries (RRAI) watch the lynx on screens set up to monitor the performance of the autonomous truck platoons serving a Resolute Forest Products facility.

This is the rugged Canadian wilderness, where forestry trucks encounter some of the toughest conditions imaginable. And this, according to Robotic Research, is the perfect environment for the near-term automation of commercial trucking.

Twelve students graduate from Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program

PASSADUMKEAG, Maine – Graduates of Maine’s only college training program for operators of mechanized logging and forest trucking equipment were recognized Nov. 9 at the site where they have spent recent weeks completing the final, trucking stage of the program after months harvesting timber using sophisticated state-of-the-art machines like those they will encounter in the logging industry.

Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree Health Concerns 

DACF Update for Cities and Towns  

Monday, December 4, 2023, 10:30 AM-Noon  

       4 striking union members arrested at Woodland Pulp mill in Baileyville – Fox 23 Maine

       Senator Angus King asks federal government to consider mass timber in construction projects

       Wisconsin-Based WholeTrees Structures Hiring Two Leadership Positions for Maine Solid Structural Timber Fabrication Facility Expansion

       University of Maine School of Forest Resources Receives Prestigious Austin Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award

       Stowe Land Trust poised to protect 83 acres in regional wildlife corridor

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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!

Cross Arena Discounts for PLC! 

PLC Classified Section

Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or