Jobs and Economic Development
As our economy continues to struggle with the down economy, our number one priority should be getting Mainers back to work. To do that, we need investment in our state and support for small businesses.
American Jobs Act
I'm supporting many proposals in President Obama's American Jobs Act. It would support thousands of jobs in Maine, help fix our infrastructure, and provide tax cuts to the people and businesses who need them. Find out more here.
Investing in our Infrastructure
Maine needs a strong infrastructure to compete on a national and global scale. I've been a strong supporter of fixing our infrastructure—such as replacing Memorial Bridge in York—while expanding our technology, like bringing broadband Internet to rural areas of the state. I also believe we need a strong transportation network, which is why I have supported extending the Downeaster line to Brunswick and expanding options for alternative transportation.
Supporting Small Businesses
Small businesses truly are the backbone of Maine's economy and one thing I hear most from them is the need for capital. As a small business owner myself, I couldn't agree more. That's why I've supported expanding Small Business Administration loan programs, cutting unnecessary regulations, and have worked to connect our small businesses with larger federal contractors.
Brunswick Naval Air Station
The closing of Brunswick Naval Air Station marks the end of an era and leaves a hole in the regional economy. But redeveloping the site presents an excellent opportunity to create new jobs for the area. I helped the local redevelopment authority acquire the site for no cost from the Navy, and have been happy to see new businesses use the facilities, including Kestrel Aviation, Resilient Communications, Molnlycke Health Care, the Brunswick Executive Airport, and a new campus of Southern Maine Community College.
Clean Energy
Maine is working to become a leader in clean energy, including offshore wind power and tidal power. Learn more here.
Local Foods
I am strong supporter of Maine's efforts to support local foods and local farms because there's no need to buy food from across the globe or country when our neighbors are already producing fresh, healthy produce. As member of the House Agriculture Committee, I'm working for federal policy that better supports creation of these local jobs. Learn more here.
Working Waterfronts
Maine's 20 miles of working waterfronts support 30,000 jobs, but are vulnerable to development. Communities need more resources to protect these critical places so generations of Mainers can continue making their living from the water. Learn more here.
More on Jobs and Economic Development
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted tonight to reopen the Export Import Bank after its authorization to operate expired this summer. Congressional leaders had blocked any attempt to pass a bill to reauthorize the Bank until Pingree and her colleagues signed a discharge petition forcing a vote.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined a successful effort to force House leaders to allow a vote on a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (ExIm). Since a majority of all House members signed what's known as a discharge petition, the bill will have to be voted on by the full House, likely later this month.
Seven Maine organizations are receiving over $700,000 in federal investments to promote the local food economy thanks to funding Congresswoman Chellie Pingree was able to insert in the Farm Bill that passed Congress in2014.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said that GE has decided to move work out of Maine and three other states because Congress has failed to reauthorize the agency that provides financing for U.S. companies exporting products overseas. General Electric announced today they are moving 500 jobs from facilities in Maine, Texas, New York and South Carolina to France, Hungary, and China because of the failure of Congress to reauthorize Ex-Im. Work that would support 80 jobs at the GE plant in Bangor that manufactures key components for power turbines will be moved to a GE facility in France.
At a meeting today in Portland to discuss immigration issues with a coalition of Maine mayors, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced her plans to introduce federal legislation that would reduce the amount of time asylum seekers must wait to apply for a work permit. The bill will mirror legislation Angus King introduced in the U.S. Senate.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree released the following statement on news that a portion of Verso Paper’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay would be closed, laying off 300 employees.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree said this afternoon that Department of Homeland Security has agreed to immediately resume processing of H-2B visas for seasonal workers.
"This is good news for small businesses in Maine who need to hire these workers to staff up for the summer tourist season. A delay in processing these requests would have made life very difficult for these business owners," Pingree said.