Economy of Milbridge

The natural resources surrounding Milbridge have shaped the towns activity since it’s inception. Not surprisingly, shipbuilding, lumber production, agriculture and fishing comprise much of this activity. More recently, tourism has played a role, as well.

Currently, blueberry production, commercial fishing, timber harvesting and wreath production drive the Milbridge economy.

Smaller farms, including organic, are emerging as a growth industry.

Agriculture

The largest agricultural crop in Milbridge is the blueberry. The biggest blueberry operation in town is the Wyman Company. 

The Wyman Company

In the late 19th century, despite the booming lumber trade, one of the most important companies then as now, was the Wyman company.

Wymans of Maine was founded by Jasper Wyman in 1874 and is still family owned today. In addition to his Milbridge business interests, Jasper Wyman (1852-1923) served two terms as a state senator for Maine in 1906 and 1908. 

Wyman’s is to Milbridge what Burt’s Bees is to Dover-Foxcroft, with one important exception. Wyman’s is still operating out of its home town

Originally primarily a seafood canning company, Jasper Wyman started the company where he grew up in Milbridge, Maine. By the turn of the century, the focus of the company had shifted from seafood to wild blueberries.

Subsequent generations of the Wyman family continue to acquire land and blueberry barons over the years.

The company owns more than 10,000 acres of blueberry barons in addition to contracting out with other growers in Maine and Canada.

Additionally, Wyman’s conducts an ongoing campaign in support of food and worker safety.

In 2012, Wymans was certified for compliance in the Global Food Safety Initiative. In addition to health care benefits for employees, the company provides housing and competitive wages for its seasonal workers.

I contacted Wyman’s to ask if they provide  factory or barren tours to the public. Unfortunately, they do not.

According to company spokesperson Pat, Wyman’s receives frequent requests for company tours. They are considering options that comply with their insurance regulations. I will post an update if public tours become available.  

Blueberry Overproduction: Milbridge and Down East 

2018 was a difficult year for the Down East blueberry industry, in general.

In July of 2018, I briefly spoke to Marie Emerson on a family trip to Wild Blueberry Land in neighboring Columbia Falls, Maine.  Interestingly, she said the biggest issue facing North American blueberry farmers is competition from hybrid lab-grown blueberries. Also, they are fast growing, large in size and often imported into the US in large quantities. 

According to Emerson, their  taste is bland are they are not Wild Blueberries. However, they are plentiful and inexpensive.

Blueberries are currently overproduced. Significantly, domestic and overseas government subsidies are a factor, in addition to  natural market forces.  

Currently, the price of blueberries is at a 3 decade low. Good for consumers but not sustainable for suppliers.

Unfortunately, in 2018 the choice for smaller politically unconnected blueberry operations was an unenviable one.

• Produce at a loss.  
• Discontinue the operation.

Anyone who has spent time in the Pine Tree State knows that throwing in the towel goes against the Maine spirit (sometimes called moxey).  Thus, many producers forged ahead and lost money last year.

Kelco Industries of Milbridge

Kelco Industries primarily manufactures and sells wreath making supplies. They are one of the larger employers in Milbridge despite the work being somewhat seasonal.

I’ve see the Kelco name online and around town but was not familiar with the company. The name struck me as one of those vague sounding 1980’s era conglomerates. The type of enterprise that gobbled up smaller companies and put them all under one name. However, that is not the case, at all. 

Kelco, like Wyman’s is a home grown Milbridge company. 

Doug Kell

Doug Kell founded Kelco in 1955. A former New Jersey resident and ship captain, he did not relax in the off season winter months. Instead, Doug saw an opportunity to distribute Maine Christmas trees in New Jersey. Hauling trees was his side-hustle before there was such a term.

Soon, Doug expanded into making and distributing machinery for processing tree and creating wreaths. Kelco’s mechanical innovations allowed many small scale mom and pop shops to sell and market their own wreaths. 

With the success of his business, his family moved with him to Maine. Evidently, Doug’s charter boat days were behind him. The next six decades Doug focused on the Christmas tree industry. 

I intend to get an update soon but as of 2013, Doug had a familiar stable of loyal employees. Referred to as the Golden Girls, these workers have been with Doug since the 1950’s. That is both heartwarming and rare in today’s business world. Kudos, Kelco! 

An entire article could be written on Doug’s accomplishments. In addition to what is above, here are a few highlights of his storied career:

• Licensed ship Captain
• Pilot’s license
• Air Force veteran
• Art Gallery proprietor
• Tree farmer

In 2015, Doug graciously donated his beloved twin engine GA-7 airplane to the Down East Emergency Medicine Institute to assist with search and rescue missions.

Fishing

Lobster is the most important product in Milbridge’s fishing industry. Other sea products include marine worms and clams.

Much of the commercial fishing activity takes place around the Town Marina and Jordan Pier. Thus, if you spend some time watching the incoming  fishing boats you’ll see lobster, shellfish, eels, urchins and more.

Tourism

Milbridge is riding the wave of increased tourism throughout Washington County. It  anchors one end of the Bold Coast Scenic Byway.  Visitors often choose Milbridge as their quiet home base for Acadia National Park trips.

From my own experience, people who specifically travel to Milbridge fall into one of three categories.

1. Down East Explorers. These tourists cover a lot of area in Washington County and Mid-Coast. They need a somewhat centralized home base. Milbridge is a good choice.
2. Acadia National Park visitors on a budget. People visiting Acadia in Summer or Fall face steep lodging rates if they’re looking to stay in Bar Harbor. Sticker shock makes them look elsewhere. Going South or West won’t save you much. However, looking in Milbridge offers substantial savings when compared with Bar Harbor or Mount Desert Island. Besides, it’s a scenic 40 minute drive to the park. A small price to pay to save a hundred dollars a night for a waterfront stay!
3. People Who Love Milbridge. Many tourists come to Milbridge regularly despite not having any family roots or previous ties to the area. Often, what keeps them coming back is the memory of that first Milbridge trip. I call it Maine-fever. It’s a phenomenon that is certainly not unique to Milbridge. However, Milbridge has a lot of the characteristics that tend to make people fall in love with the area: coast, convenience, rivers, charm, friendly locals, etc.