RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A POSSIBLE OUTCOME OF THOROUGH RESOURCE CHARACTERIZATION AND EFFECTIVE STATE AND LOCAL REGULATION

Due to increasing market demand for the Poland Spring Water brand in the northeastern U.S. the company sought to expand their bottling capacity into central Maine to compliment production at two existing bottling plants in southern part of the State. An extensive hydrogeologic characterization of a spring water occurrence in Kingfield, Maine was conducted over a multi-year period to support development of a new spring water bottling facility in the area. The scientific characterization, assessment of potential impacts and design of the spring capture and bottling plant were subject to a comprehensive regulatory review at both State and local levels. Several obstacles were encountered during the 2-year process, but through the combined efforts of Poland Spring's natural resource managers, state regulators, local officials, planning board members, and a myriad consultants and legal experts, final approval for the project was obtained in December 2006. Construction of Poland Spring's new 200,000 square foot Bottling Plant in Kingfield began in early 2007 and production began in early December 2008. Kingfield, a rural community located south of Sugarloaf Mountain, is experiencing economic challenges due to a steady decline in its agricultural, manufacturing and wood-related industries in the region. This new bottling plant, and its sustainable utilization of a rapidly renewable natural resource, provides desirable, long-term economic development and employment to communities in Franklin and Somerset Counties, Maine.