Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Construction is nearing completion on one of the Star City’s newest additions to the business community, with work steadily progressing on Tractor Supply Company’s facility, located at 23 Houlton Rd.
Work began last fall on the building — the company’s eighth Maine location. TSC is the largest retail farm and ranch supply store chain in the United States and has been operating in Maine since 2007.
Company officials were attracted to the Presque Isle location largely because of the region’s love of agricultural activities.
“As a growth-minded company, TSC is always looking for potential new locations that are a good fit as far as the target market is concerned. For the Presque Isle location, this is especially true in that the area is attractive due to the part-time and hobby farmers and horse owners in the area,” said Rob Hoskins, media relations, TSC.
The company offers a wide variety gardening and animal care merchandise.
“The TSC product category of expertise includes lawn and garden, as well as animal care products that will service the needs of customers” with an interest in those areas, said Hoskins.
The Presque Isle store will offer customers in the northern region of the state, as well as parts of Canada, an opportunity to shop for TSC products much closer to home. The closest store currently in operation in Maine is located in Augusta.
“This will be the company’s eighth Maine location. Other locations include: Augusta, Lewiston, Oxford, Scarborough and Skowhegan,” Hoskins said.
The Brentwood, Tenn.-based business will employ 12 to 17 full- and part-time team members, according to Hoskins. The 19,097 square-foot store will included a sales floor and support service space.
A fenced exterior space will be built for storage and display of items such as fencing, sprayers and livestock equipment.
Construction began on the new facility on Oct. 12.
“The contractor for the project is Benchmark Construction of Westbrook,” said Hoskins.
Hoskins said TSC operates more than 895 stores in 44 states.
“TSC stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses,” explained Hoskins.
TSC stores are located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities.
“The company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets; a broad selection of agricultural products; and tools and hardware selected for our customers’ needs,” said Hoskins.
In addition, the company sells light-truck equipment, work clothing for the entire family and an extensive line of seasonal products including lawn and garden power equipment products.
“A construction completion date has been tentatively set for April 2010,” said Hoskins.
No opening date had been scheduled as of presstime.
For more information on TSC, visit www.TractorSupply.com.
“The area is attractive due to the part-time and hobby farmers and horse owners in the area.”
– Rob Hoskins, media relations, Tractor Supply Co.
WORK NEARS COMPLETION on Tractor Supply Company’s newest site in Maine, located at 23 Houlton Rd. in Presque Isle. Construction of the store began Oct. 12, with work expected to be completed by April 2010. The facility will carry a wide variety of merchandise designed for the home gardener, as well as animal care products. As its name states, TSC specializes in supplies such as tractor parts, gardening equipment, pet products and clothing. The picture shows the store prior to this season’s first snowfall.
