SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS WILL “WORK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE” TO ASSIST WORKERS OF KENT, INC.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, whose schedule would not allow her to personally attend, sent a representative today to a meeting in Fort Kent to extend her concern for the employees of Kent, Inc. and to discuss possible ways to keep the company in business. Among those present were officials from the Finance Authority of Maine, Department of Economic and Community Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Rural Development, Small Business Administration, Northern Maine Devolvement Commission, other delegates and staff from the Maine Congressional Delegation, and the plant manager and President and CEO of Kent, Inc.

"The announcement that Kent Incorporated is planning closure of its operations is terrible news," said Senator Collins. " The company has long been an important part of the St. John Valley economy. An estimated 165 jobs are now in danger, placing the burden of insecurity on individuals and families.

"I pledge to assist the company in its efforts to secure financing to keep the facility operating in Fort Kent. I will work as hard as possible to help the employees who may be losing their jobs."

Officials at the meeting discussed funding options to supply Kent, Inc. with the approximately $2 million in equity capital that plant managers estimate is necessary to keep its doors open.