Official predicts bright future Somerset County diversification shaping economy

SKOWHEGAN - James Batey looks at Somerset County and he sees aplace in transition.

Once a county whose economy was wood-products based, there arejust three sawmills left and no wood-turning facilities. Shoemanufacturers are nearly gone. After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,even tourism took a huge nosedive.

But Batey, director of the Somerset County Economic DevelopmentCorp., says the signs are clear that diversification is taking placeand will be the future of the county's economic base.

"My crystal ball is no better than anyone else's," Batey saidThursday. "But I am definitely optimistic."

Alternative wood-fiber products, tourism and diversification ofexisting business all have him looking forward to 2007.

Somerset County bounces back and forth with Washington andPiscataquis counties as the county with the highest unemployment rateand the lowest per capita income.

"But it is much better than just three or four years ago," Bateysaid. "My sense is that, in general, over the last five years theeconomy has seen some transition."

And that's a very good thing, the director said, since putting allthe county's eggs in one basket - manufacturing - certainly didn'tpay off.

Batey said that broadband Internet access certainly will help. Theentire Route 201 corridor has access, mostly because it is aninternational route and service is required at the Jackman bordercrossing.

But slide a few feet off the main corridor, like onto the shoresof Parlin Pond or deep in the Caratunk woods, and no service isavailable.

"This needs to be a priority," Batey said. "We need ... broadbandaccess in the county to be competitive."

Batey said that although tourism is growing, a betterinfrastructure is needed. Whitewater rafting, the natural beauty ofremote Somerset County, and the upcoming Run of the River whitewaterkayaking and canoe park project in Skowhegan will continue to drawtourists, he said.

The rafting industry grew so quickly, he said, that the businessesthemselves were forced to build housing for their customers as nonewas available.

"And, if we ever get snow again, many Somerset County businessesrely on the snowmobile and skiing tourists," he said. "Last year wasa disaster and today [Thursday] it is 45 degrees."

A side benefit of the tourism industry, he said, is that manypeople choose to relocate in the area. "They certainly will not bemaking $100,000 a year in a remote Somerset County town," Batey said,"but they are willing to exchange that for a more rich lifestyle.These people are also enriching the area by bringing their skills andideas with them."

He said a new wood-pellet fuel company locating in Athens and amajor greenhouse tomato producer in Madison are prime examples of thediversification and transition he sees taking place.

Batey said he is also optimistic for the wood-fiber industry."There are many opportunities still to be had," he said. "My sense isthat the future is good for biotype products. It is amazing how manythings, including fuel, can be made from wood fiber," Batey said.

SEDC is updating its economic strategy and a new plan should beready by May, he said.