APP promotes County to real estate firm

    CARIBOU – This past weekend, the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) “showcased “Aroostook County to an executive from CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) and the Commissioner of the Maine Department of the Economic & Community Development (DECD).
    CBRE is a global real estate advisory firm with 21,000 employees located in 200 offices world wide. DECD is the state’s business development agency and an integral partner of APP’s business recruitment activities.
    “Hosting business executives and site consultants is a very important part of our marketing strategy. We know that the County often sells itself given the opportunity, so hosting a senior executive from CBRE this past weekend was a great opportunity for us,” said Walt Elish, president and CEO.
    “‘Showcase Aroostook’ has been an important element of APP’s strategic business plan since our formation,” said Kris Doody, APP Board chair and CEO of Cary Medical Center, APP’s showcase strategy is to have the business executive experience first hand our excellent workforce and pro business attitude,” said Doody.
    Jonathan Sangster, senior managing director of CBRE stated that “Based on the information provided by APP, meetings with various business executives in the area and experiencing first hand the community spirit that’s evident throughout the region I am very positive about the area and the various possibilities it has for all types of industries. The hospitality was excellent.”
    DECD Commissioner John Richardson, a new member of Gov. John Baldacci’s cabinet, learned much about the region during the visit. “DECD works to create economic opportunity for the people of Maine and having the opportunity to see and experience Aroostook County’s resources gives me a better understanding as to how DECD can assist in making this happen in The County.”
    CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., an S&P 500, company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2005 revenue).
    The company serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers. CB Richard Ellis offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; research and consulting.
    The Aroostook Partnership for Progress is a public-private regional partnership dedicated to aggressive and effective results-oriented economic development actions that leverage the financial commitments and talents of the private sector in close partnership with the public sector.
    The initiative’s goals include enhancing the County’s economy by increasing business and investment activity, attracting new jobs and reversing out-migration trends.
    The APP team has been successful in retaining and recruiting over 1,000 jobs and $112 million in new investment to northern Maine.
    For Partnership information call 207-498-8731 or email progress@APPme.org.