Poland Spring on May 5 announced that construction was commencing on its $2.1 million spring water station in East Fryeburg, Maine. The station is situated on a parcel of land set back from Route 302 and will add 55 acres to create 750 acres of publicly accessible land when construction is completed. The project represents the company's ongoing commitment to investing in the people and economy of Maine and the Lake Region.
"This project represents a significant investment in the local economy and will help create and maintain jobs during tough economic times. We expect to award 90% of all construction contracts to Maine companies from the immediate area and throughout the state," said Mark Dubois, Poland Spring's natural resource manager.
The station will be constructed over a period of four to six months. The facility enables spring water to travel via underground pipeline from a source in Denmark, Maine, and then be shipped to Poland Spring's bottling facilities. The project will generate annual tax revenue for the town of Fryeburg and the company is exploring creative new ways to partner with the local community.
"Fryeburg really needs new businesses and you couldn't ask for a better company than Poland Spring. I hope this project in East Fryeburg leads to further investment here by Poland Spring. I wish they had located a bottling plant here instead of Kingfield and I think they would have if we had opened the door for them," said Jim Dutton, former Fryeburg selectman.
Poland Spring's operations provide good jobs with full benefits to almost 800 Maine workers with an annual Maine payroll of $40 million dollars. Additionally, Poland Spring spends $65 million dollars a year with Maine-based companies.
Since 1845, Poland Spring has been using an abundant, renewable resource to make the most popular spring water brand in the Unites States. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring, Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, opened in February of this year, represents a $60 million investment and 40-plus new jobs in western Maine. Poland Spring also operates satellite spring sources located in Fryeburg, Poland, Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township and St. Albans.
