PIACC executive director
The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce developed from the Merchants Association of Presque Isle, first established in 1915. The founding officers and directors were A.A. Joy, H.B. Holmes, E.I. Waddell, N.F. Perry, Donald McEachren, Howard Smith. George Ochs, Harry B. Green, and Frank V. Haskell.
The Executive Board was established in January 1916 to represent each line of business in town and included: H.J. Smith, Ray McGlauflin, U.J. Hedrich, Geo. P. Larrabee, W.S. Lindsay, Benj. Franklin, D.W. Moores, D. Price, A. Holt and G.H. Collins. These names are still known in the area and some still prominent in the business community. This group appeared to be involved in all aspects of life in Presque Isle. There is reference in their minutes to the establishment of a hospital for veterans, a post office building, investigating mail delivery within the city limits, maintaining the streets and determining when businesses would close for special events.
In 1945 the organization became the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1990, a permanent home for the PIACC was built at 3 Houlton Rd. This was made possible through the support of many local businesses and individuals who donated for the construction or loaned money at a low interest rate.
The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce has a Board of Directors of local business representatives from which an Executive Committee is chosen annually. The Board members serve for a three year term and are eligible to serve two terms.
The PIACC is charged with serving, advancing and publicizing the commercial, agricultural and civic interests of Aroostook County, with special emphasis on our member communities which include: Ashland, Blaine, Castle Hill, Chapman, Easton, Mapleton, Mars Hill, Masardis, OxBow, Portage, Presque Isle, Washburn and Westfield.
The Chamber office operates a 24-hour tourist information center, maintains a listing of apartments and day care facilities available in the area and prepares a calendar of events for our member communities. We prepare many packets of information for tourists and relocation packets for people moving to the area. If you know of an event in your community, please let us know so we can put it on our calendar and on our Web site at www.pichamber.com.
We welcome visitors at the office if you would like to obtain information or discuss issues that are important to you. For your convenience it is helpful if you call us at 764-6561 to make certain we are available.
Photo courtesy of PIACC
THIS MARCH 1945 PHOTO shows the first Board of Directors for the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce. Pictured are, in front, from left: Edwin Parkhurst, Harold E. Bryant, Frank A. “Bob” Smith, Stedman “Ted” Thompson and A. Howard Smith. In back: Ellis “Bud” Survant, first executive director; George Blanchard; Dr. Stewart Donahue; Harry B. Green (of Green Bros. store) and Harold “Cobby” Downing.
