The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce (PIACC) supports the following communities:  Ashland, Blaine, Castle Hill, Chapman, Easton, Mapleton, Mars Hill, Masardis, Oxbow, Portage, Presque Isle, Washburn and Westfield. 

MISSION STATEMENT

“To serve, advance, and publicize the commercial, agricultural, civic, and general interest of the member communities.”

General Information

Presque Isle’s climate can be classified as a typical continental type.  Winters run from early November to late March, with snowfall averaging about 110 inches per season.  The average first freeze is mid September, and the average last freeze is mid May.  Summers are temperate and have abundant rainfall which is one of the most important factors in the high yield of diversified crops.  Temperatures range from a daily average of 76 degrees F. in the summer, 52 in the fall, 19 in the winter and 46 in the spring.  The average yearly maximum temperature is 48.9 and the minimum average for the year is 29.6 degrees.

F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

Below are answers to some of our most common requests.  They include car rentals, realtors, taxi service and the first place you could start when looking for employment in the Presque Isle area.

Our Career Center/Job Service, located in Presque Isle, is usually the first place to carry any job opportunities available.  Also, check out the weekly paper The Star Herald.  You may wish to start with one of our Temp services in town, they often lead to permanent positions, or offer flexible work schedules. 
    

• 24-hour Visitor Center– In 2001, the Chamber of Commerce was able to develop a 24-hour Visitor Information Center.  Visitors are able to access important information while traveling during evenings or weekends.  Material supplied in the Center is primarily local attractions, maps, and business member information.  This Visitor Center is one of a few offered in the state of Maine, and would not have been possible without the support of many generous donors. 
  
  Landlord Listing– Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce maintains a comprehensive listing of all apartment and home rentals with updates made quarterly.  In addition, we maintain trailer park contact information.
• Daycare Listing – Takes initiative to maintain a comprehensive listing of all daycare providers and organizations. 
  
  
• PIACC – operates a website that is maintained by Management Information students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  We are linked to the Maine Office of Tourism, Aroostook County Tourism, and Maine recreation guides.  Browsers can access information relating to all communities served by this chamber. This link allows each browser to view our web page and gives access to many business-related topics.  http://www.pichamber.org/
  
  
• PIACC – organizes and operates a Potato Booth during the Northern Maine Fair, Isle Fest, and other community events.  This is a great way to showcase our agricultural assets.


• PIACC- Coordinates area promotions and develops strategies to market the area by way of our Regional Retail Committee.
  
  
• PIACC – participates in local and state driven economic development strategies.  We are involved with the Northern Maine Development Commission, LEAD (Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Developers), ACT (Aroostook County Tourism), and the Presque Isle Industrial Park. The chamber participates in feasibility studies, provides demographic material to economic developers and financial institutions, and meet with local, state, and federal representatives to address economic issues facing the region. 
  
  
• PIACC – participates in the promotion of tourism to Aroostook County.  We provide letters of support for local grants, field countless questions, and promote visits to businesses that support us. This Chamber also participates in local and statewide tradeshows and presentations.  We develop a 1,600 piece annual membership directory and construct the Presque Isle Area Map & Guide.
  
  
• PIACC - is responsible for organizing the annual Holiday Light Parade. This event continues to grow in popularity, and has been estimated to bring 10,000 to Presque Isle.
  
  
• PIACC- Coordinates the annual Presque isle City-Wide Yard sale.  For a nominal fee, participants will be placed on an area map for yard sale participants.
  
  
• PIACC – coordinates an annual golf tournament at the Presque Isle Country Club.  This event is open to the general public and is held each fall. There is a 36-team maximum and cash prizes are awarded to top three teams with best net and gross.
  
  
• PIACC - is a referral service that answers a multitude of questions daily.  We use every source of networking available to answer questions travelers or people relocating have. Relocation packets and other information are sent upon request. In addition, many people will call to ask specific questions about central Aroostook businesses, telephone number, addresses, owners, stock, etc.  In 2003, this chamber received over 2,400 calls for general information and sent out approximately 300 information packets.
  
  
• PIACC- allows members to post information at our facility. We also assist with distributing this information via out newsletter, The Chamber Connection.  Material is also sent to tourism centers and trade shows.
  
  
• PIACC- is dedicated to knowing products within your store so business is sent to you.
  
  
• PIACC- Hosts events and training at the Chamber beneficial to business owners. These are coordinated based on interest at little to no cost for attendees.
  
  
• PIACC - sponsors an annual meeting, which announces the Presque Isle area’s Lifetime Achievement, Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Business of the Year awards.
  
  
• PIACC - sponsors the annual Miss Presque Isle Pageant with the help and support of 22-year veteran, Betsy Fitzherbert.
  
  
• PIACC - coordinates the annual Strawberry Shortcake Sale.  This event has historically sold over 2,300 shortcakes the first day.  Deliveries are available to the Limestone, Caribou, Mars Hill, Washburn, Easton, and Presque Isle.  Businesses often use this event as an employee appreciation day.
  
  
• PIACC- Maintains a listing of all business using marquees as a way to quickly communicate upcoming events or information to the public.
  
  
• In addition, PIACC promotes the following events – Skating Club of Maine, Agri-Business Trade Fair, Spring Arts & Crafts Show, Spring Trash & Treasure Sale, Kiwanis Home, Garden, & Rec Show, Anah Temple Shrine Circus, Hometown Downtown Yard Sale, March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Mapleton Daze, Ashland Days, Easton Field Days, Potato Blossom Festival, Northern Maine Fair, Washburn August Festival, Wesfield Jubilee, Fall Trash & Treasure Sale, Fall Arts & Craft Fair, and the Caring County Craft Fair.
  
  
• The PIACC is a member of the following groups- AACC (Association of Aroostook Chambers of Commerce), Maine Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives, Aroostook County Tourism, LEAD, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Maine Tourism Association.
  
  
• It is the commitment of the Chamber of Commerce staff to remain in contact with the Chamber’s 300 members as much as possible. Questions, concerns, and ideas are always welcome. Please feel free to contact the following individuals at the Chamber office: Allen Deeves, Tammy Hatt, and Valerie Lunn. We can be reached at 764-6561 e-mail address is piacc@mfx.net and the mailing address is:  P.O. Box 672 Presque Isle, Me 04769. The office is located at 3 Houlton Road Presque Isle.
  
  
• PIACC is ranked 19th in the State of Maine in terms of membership size.  We serve a population of 20,430 in the central Aroostook region.
  
  
• PIACC- Maintains a comprehensive listing of historical and area attractions with contact information.
  
  
• PIACC- developed a comprehensive listing for all hotels and motels specifics in Aroostook County, bed and breakfasts and cottages in of members throughout the region.
  
  
• PIACC- Keeps record of available space and square footage for businesses that wish to update information at our office. 

Revised 2/8/07