Who is SADC?

by Jon McLaughlin
    Most people know that SADC (Southern Aroostook Development Corporation) is a local organization and many know that its main charge is to market the region to businesses from away that are looking to expand their operations and/or to relocate. Any organization is made up of people. Many don’t know, however, the players that make up SADC.
    This is the eighth in a series of articles in which we feature the board members that make up SADC and who are so crucial to its success.
Wade Hanson
    Many of you, who in the past, renovated your home or put on that new addition, know Wade Hanson from his days as Code Enforcement Officer for the town of Houlton as you had to meet with him to get a building permit.  But many more of you, most recently knew of Hanson in his community planner role for Houlton.
    Hanson was born in Houlton to Robert and Nedra Hanson and has lived most of his adult life in Houlton, having returned to raise his family.
    He graduated from Houlton High School and attended the University of Maine at Orono, taking studies in civil engineering technology. These courses have served him well in his CEO duties with Houlton and plumbing inspector for several area towns.  In addition to his course studies he is a graduate of the Dale Carnegie courses.
    Hanson has been employed in various roles for the past 11 years with the town, his most recent being that of the community development director. His duties included community planning, grant writing, economic development oversight and community relations.  He recently announced his resignation to take on a new role and chapter in his business life as director of economic development for the Houlton Band of Maliseets. Those that deal with community development within the town will miss him, but he will still be an asset to SADC as a sounding board for issues that come up that need a second opinion.  He will continue as a director for SADC.
    Hanson and his wife, Carol, have two daughters, Emily and Allix and they reside in Houlton. He has numerous hobbies that include hunting, fishing, golf, canoeing, snowmobiling and woodworking, a talent that comes in handy as he renovates his home. Fortunately, according to his wife, his carpentry skill is much better than his golfing abilities.
    In addition to his hobbies, he has taken an active role in the community. Hanson is a Rotarian, member of the Houlton Lodge of Elks, a dedicated worker and organizer for February’s annual Moosestomper’s Weekend and is on the board of Vital Pathways.
    When asked why he became a director of SADC he stated, always the prankster, “Because Jon made me.”  Seriously he added, “I saw a need to not only market this area for new business, but to also work on business retention and SADC, with its diverse board, is able to work on this goal. I wanted to be part of that.”
    SADC continues to push forward with its mission to attract and guide new business to Southern Aroostook for the betterment of our area.  SADC is a private/public-funded partnership and if interested in contributing to our efforts or attending one of our board meetings as a guest please contact the office at (207) 521-0157.