NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine — Athletic shoe maker New Balance says it plans to hire 40 more workers at its Norridgewock facility by the end of the month.
A company representative said Monday that the Boston-based company could add even more jobs if its plant converts to all natural gas, which could save up to 60 percent in energy costs.
John Campbell, director of corporate services at New Balance, spoke in favor of the tax break for a natural gas pipeline developer.
He said natural gas could help New Balance stay competitive by combining its oil, propane and electricity systems, saving 50 to 60 percent on its energy costs.
The Morning Sentinel says the decision could mean hundreds of new jobs for the region.
While 40 jobs is nice, how about us being able to read about how many new jobs are available per month on the whole of the state of Maine?
40 jobs to me seems like a drop in the bucket. B of A shutting down the call center was 200 people unemployed. Where is the replacement for these workers? Or the rest of Maine that is still unemployed?
Having 40 jobs is great, and commendable.
Alas jobs can no longer be created out of thin air. Gone are the days when a kid could go to a local grocery store and sweep a floor for a couple of hours. Now it is a all or nothing atmosphere for the employer. Used to be, I could hire the next door neighbor for help when mowing lawns. Now the state laws are so toxic, that if you are injured. The state can persecute (prosecute) a home owner as little johnny tried to get workman’s comp for getting injured while earning a few dollars.
Yeah, I hear of two big companies laying off workers near Bangor, but out west, north of Waterville, gets 40 more jobs…. I do not think that is good distribution.
Good news on the job front! A Maine made product,keep up the good work New Balance!
New Balance, top quality, reasonable price, and made by Mainers who earn a living wage. Too bad Augusta wouldn’t fawn over these businesses like they did over Kestrel. Help businesses that already have a track record of being committed to Maine and it’s top notch work force. Nah, that might actually create a few jobs! lol.
I always enjoy reading comments that expose the “true nature of the human beast,” most of which have the attitude of, “To Hell with you, Hurrah for me,” all because a few arrogant men of the past drew a circuitous line on a map and gave it a name.
Only athletic shoe still made in the USA and it is made in Maine. Buy New Balance, great shoe, great price and employees Maine people…just saying…
I’m on my 6th pair !
Thank you New Balance!!! I applaud you!!!
Hmmm..no mention about pay ? I happen to know these are all $8 an hr jobs. How is that gonna support anyone ? 40 more people can get up every morning and go to work to pay for the gas to go to work…..Where’s the REAL jobs ??? Send these to China……after taxes this is maybe $250 a week…by the time your gas bill is paid a typical SSI recipient is making more than you….with free food, heat and medical to boot. How is this going to help ? We have enough angry slaves already…..
You may want to check your facts. These are not $8.00 per hour jobs. Do you really think that this company could make some of the best atletic shoes on the planet using $8.00 an hour labor? These are vey skilled people. Do a little homework before you insult these fine workers. New balance is one of the great success stories in our state.
completely untrue—jobs after traing in the 12-14 range, excellent benefits, 11 and 1/2 paid holidays per year plus 2 weeks vacation to start and paid sick time
How do you know these jobs pay $8.00/hour? Your crystal ball?
“Where’s the REAL jobs???” ‘nuf said. Seriously though, where is they?
Hence, people are encouraged to live off of the system.
The news said $10-$12 /hour. Is it enough to live in Norridgewock?
New Balance says they could add more jobs with the savings that would result if they converted the plant to burn natural gas. How ironic that today’s newspaper also has a story about the opposition to a propane gas storage tank on the working waterfront of Searsport. Instead of economic growth for all, we let a few nimbys prevail.
And to everyone that wants “green” power instead of clean burning natural gas, if reducing energy cost allows New balance to add jobs, guess what increasing the energy cost will do.
Of course, the other way of reading the article is: We will add more jobs…IF you give us this “…tax break for a natural gas pipeline developer…”
Follow the money. Somebody benefits. Who?
How about the people employed by New Balance!
Hey, New Balance is all I ever wear–I was married in them, I went to my dad’s funeral in them. Well-made, US-made, good support for us “big” guys…
I am just remarking that the way the story is written it sounds more than a little like NB is trying to get something out of Norridgewock or the State, and is using jobs as the bribes/hostage.
So, if I was a New Balance worker, I would feel worried, because my company was putting profits above people, that is what I think.
if they were putting profits above people, there wouldn’t be any New Balance factories in Norridgewock, Skowhegan,Norway ,ME or , Lawrence and Boston MA
Good News. Do people realize that the $40 new balance is made in China. The 100.00 new balance may be made in Maine? Read the labels. Most of those in the stores around here are China made. Too bad!!
New Balance manufactures 25% of their shoe production in the US—-that’s 25% more than most everything else you buy
Does Lepage get credit for this, when bank of America laid off workers he got slammed for that.
Just wondering?
Sorry, the mouth from the blaine house had nothing to do with this—it was good Maine workers–you know,the ones depicted on the mural the 1 term governor removed