Mills, local businesses pledge support after potato factory fire in Belfast
Courtesy / Office of Gov. Janet Mills
Gov. Janet Mills, Belfast City Manager Erin Herbig and Penobscot McCrum CEO Jay McCrum stand outside the potato processing facility after the March fire.
Gov. Janet Mills and businesses in Belfast have pledged support for Penobscot McCrum and its 138 employees following a fire there on Thursday that left the potato processing factory a total loss.
The blaze, believed to have started in one of the plant’s large deep-frying machines, did not cause injuries but forced a temporary closure of U.S. Route 1, shuttered local schools for the day and led to a shelter-in-place order for Belfast residents. Emergency crews from about 10 towns responded, according to published reports.
The fire at 28 Pierce St. was called in around 2:30 a.m. Thursday.
“I am grateful for the swift and courageous work of our first responders who gained control of the blaze and prevented it from becoming far worse,” Mills said in a statement. “Today is a difficult day, especially for the more than 130 employees who work hard here day in and day out, but I am so thankful that no one was hurt, and my administration will do all we can to support this iconic company, its employees, and the community moving forward.
“I have directed my administration, including the Maine Departments of Labor and Economic and Community Development, to assist however we can as we look to recover from this tragic event."
The Maine Department of Labor’s Rapid Response Team will support Penobscot McCrum and its employees, providing resources such as unemployment compensation, if needed.
The McCrum family represents five generations of potato farmers who began in the northern Maine town of Mars Hill. From its beginning in 1886 and into the 21st century, the McCrum family potato farm has employed generations of Mainers. Rodney McCrum was president of Mars Hill-based Pineland Farms Potato Co. when he was named a Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year in 2016.
Penobscot McCrum LLC was formed in 2004 when the McCrum family purchased the assets of Penobscot Frozen Foods, creating one of North America’s largest suppliers of potato specialty products. In addition to the Belfast site, the company opened a processing facility in Washburn in June 2020.
“We are very thankful that at this time all employees are safe and were not injured. At this time, we are trying to support our employees as this is a challenging time for all of us,” the company said on its Facebook page. “Again, grateful and heartfelt thanks to all involved in helping us move through this event — especially the great employees of Penobscot McCrum.”
A Belfast motorcycle group is working with about 20 local businesses to put on a spaghetti dinner to help the families who just lost their jobs.
“The entire Belfast community is saddened by the fire this morning. We all know someone who worked there, many have been there for many years, and are now without employment,” the Steel Guardian Maine Chapter 1 group said in a Facebook post.
The city of Belfast is also using money from its Keep the Faith Fund to provide $100 Hannaford gift cards to affected employees. The fund was originally started to provide relief to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic through small business grants and grocery vouchers, according to published reports.
The Labor Department has connected with employees and will be onsite at Workforce Solutions/Goodwill Workforce Services at 15 Starrett Drive, Suite F, in Belfast next week, in addition to providing virtual sessions.
In-person services will be available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Workforce Solutions can be contacted at 207-930-7047. Affected workers may also reach out to the CareerCenter for assistance at 207-623-7981.
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