I have spent my entire working life in the logging industry at Maine Custom Woodlands located in Durham, which is proud to be a second-generation business with more than 30 years in the logging and trucking industry. MCW is constantly managing a tight budget while balancing the needs of 28 employees. 

The logging industry is vital to maintaining working families in our rural communities throughout Maine. However, we are currently facing significant challenges with inflation, high interest rates and weakened markets, making it extremely difficult to invest in equipment necessary to run our businesses safely and efficiently. One of the biggest struggles is the lack of access to affordable capital. 

This is why we need the $50 million Agriculture, Forestry and Food Producers Bond that the Legislature is considering. This bond would provide critical funding for a low-interest loan program for logging equipment that would provide a lifeline for logging and trucking companies like MCW to invest in modern, ground-sensitive equipment that protects Maine’s forests while keeping our people safe. Lowering the total interest rate on equipment purchases would allow our company to reinvest in our company and our employees.

This bond is vital to the logging industry, and to all small heritage businesses throughout rural Maine. We are proud of the work we do here in Maine and our logging heritage. We urge our lawmakers to ensure we have the tools necessary to succeed by supporting the bond.

Joe Cushman
Durham