Dear MTA Board Members,

June 21, 2012

Maine Turnpike Authority
Attn: Public Relations Dept.
2360 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04102

Dear MTA Board Members,

It is important for the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry to submit comments on the proposed toll increase options you have provided to the public. 

Thank you for scheduling a public hearing in Saco.  Biddeford-Saco is a strong economic generator here in York County.  Our businesses range from manufacturing to tourism, from small retail on Main Street to large retail in shopping plazas, from recreational and commercial uses of the river and Saco Bay to farm land a short ways inland.  Our businesses use the Maine Turnpike to move their products and bring their employees to work. 

We are very appreciative of the quality of the Turnpike roads and the dedication of the Turnpike employees.  We are well aware that the costs of maintaining high quality, safe roadways have increased and will likely increase further in the future.

As a business trade association, we must weigh the impacts of the proposed options on our member businesses.  Our preferred option would be no toll increases at all.  Our business community has barely seen the light of day following several years of less than stellar economic times.  A stronger economy where businesses thrive and consumers buy wanted products as well as needed products will generate additional revenues you are seeking.  A welcoming business climate that encourages businesses to relocate in our region will generate revenues you are seeking. Biddeford and Saco recently received the Governor’s certification for being “Business Friendly Communities” and we see this as a very positive step forward that will increase the possibilities of growth and expansion of businesses here.

Option 1, focuses on the York Toll and Commercial Vehicles.  This does not seem like a viable option since it too specifically puts the burden on too small a user group.  Commercial vehicles are already experiencing pain from the increase in fuel costs.  Increasing their multiplier to 1.00 will be discouraging to business.

Option 2 - may be the option that impacts our area the most since it increases tolls at all side tolls.  Currently, consumers only pay to enter the Turnpike at the Biddeford and Saco Exits. They do not pay to Exit.  Increasing the cash rate from $.50 to $1.00 to travel 4 miles seems a bit drastic and will certainly discourage people in the area from using the Turnpike.  This will increase traffic on Rt 1 which is already very busy.  In my opinion, disgruntled drivers won’t stop to shop. It is quite possible that the increase in Rt 1 traffic would negatively impact the business community in both Cities.

Option 3- Already stated the negative aspects of singling out commercial vehicles

Option 4 – While this option appears to levy pain on everyone, the increase in ETC by 30% seems a bit aggressive and it increases the multiplier on commercial vehicles by .50 which as already stated seems to target an important business segment which will increase the costs of doing business for our members. We oppose any increase in side tolls for Biddeford and Saco Exits since it is such a short distance.

Option 5 – we cannot support an increase in the minimum toll by $.50 between Biddeford and Saco and once again targeting commercial vehicles adds costs to doing business for our members.

Option 6 – We do not understand the logic behind increasing the toll on Wells Northbound.  Being located North of Wells we see this increase as a discouragement to consumers to come to Biddeford-Saco.  As already stated, we are opposed to an increase in the minimum toll between Biddeford and Saco.

Option 7 – While this may be the staff’s preferred alternative, it sure seems to send a negative message to our number one industry-tourism.  Welcome to Maine-Open your Wallet could be a sign placed next to the one that says we are Open for Business. As already stated-we oppose any increase to the minimum toll between Biddeford and Saco and increases to commercial vehicles.

Option 8 – same as already stated - No to increasing rates on commercial vehicles at this time.

Option 9 -  No to increase at side tolls. 30% increase in ETC seems very high. Opposed to commercial increases as already stated

Option 10 – Same comments as previously made

I cannot pretend to know all the details of the decisions the MTA board is facing.  I can only remind you that Maine historically recovers slowly from economic downturns.  While there are glimmers of positive upticks, our local businesses are doing their best to dig out from the impacts of the poor economy. Locally we are facing property tax increases and now we are asked to shoulder increases from your agency.  We fear that our citizens will be losing more than they are gaining which will cause more losses and more negativity.  After reading the news articles per the previous public hearings, I find it inappropriate to support only those options that impact others.  We have simply tried to focus on the impacts of the proposals on our business community.

And while it is hopeful that visitors will pay a significant portion of the toll revenues-the reality is that we who live and work here year round bear the brunt of these increases. 

Once again I thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on these proposed toll increases.

Respectfully submitted,

Craig A. Pendleton

Executive Director

For More Info See Here:
http://www.maineturnpike.com/MaineTurnpike/media/PDF/Toll-Options.pdf

The Chamber’s Role in Buy Local

We are now two months into year three of the Biddeford-Saco Buy Local Campaign.  The Chamber is proud to play a significant role in a campaign that is designed to encourage consumers to visit and shop in our community and that encourages merchants to participate and work together.

The Buy Local Campaign is a collaborative effort working to showcase the businesses of our two communities and encourage a fundamental shift in the buying habits of its citizens and visitors that will boost our local economy and enrich the communities in which we live. 

The Chamber was an original participant in the development of the campaign.  Several merchants and staff of local organizations committed time and energy to create a way for us to highlight our community and its businesses.  I jumped in feet first when I was hired in January of 2010.  The campaign called for the Chamber, Biddeford-Saco Area Economic Development Corporation, Heart of Biddeford and Saco Spirit to collaborate in the implementation of the campaign.  A logo was designed. A website was created. BSAEDC committed staff time. The Chamber and several local businesses contributed funds to start the operations.  That fundraising totaled in excess of $50,000.  To date, we have spent over $40,000 advertising on television, radio and print and we have not used one cent for administration of the campaign.

When BSAEDC lost their administrative person, the Chamber took on those duties and kept the campaign growing until the position could be filled.  Currently, we have approximately 140 merchants signed up for Buy Local. The Buy Local logo is very recognizable and has developed some value. Our advertising has produced results.  We have focused on holidays and seasonal shopping events.  The Chamber has provided much need printing services and has helped distribute flyers and encouraged people to participate via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.  We have also written Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds to clarify and educate on the merits of this campaign.

The Chamber continues to encourage participation.  We have hosted several meetings and will continue to provide input and support.  What the campaign needs is more enthusiasm and participation from the merchants.  Those merchants that have fully engaged and really found ways of capitalizing on the benefits of participation are seeing benefits.  Many of the merchants reaping benefits are also Chamber members.  Participating in both definitely gives a business an advantage.  The more we can promote your business, the more people that will stop and shop in Biddeford-Saco and the more prosperous our community becomes.