Governor Backs Job-Boosting Project at Jay Mill

Governor Janet Mills has publicly endorsed a data center project slated for the former Androscoggin Mill site in Jay, Maine, urging the Legislature to grant it an exemption from a proposed statewide moratorium on data center development (LD 307). According to Ben Goodman, a spokesperson for the governor, Mills believes the "smaller-scale project" is distinct because it reuses existing industrial infrastructure and is designed to avoid additional costs for ratepayers or strain on the local electrical grid, ultimately bringing jobs and investment back to the historic mill site. This gubernatorial support, however, contrasts with the stance of Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, the sponsor of LD 307, who firmly stated her opposition to any exceptions to the temporary pause. Sachs argues that all data center projects exceeding 20 megawatts should adhere to the same regulations, which would be determined by a review council during the proposed development hiatus. Advocates for the Jay project, including mill owner Tony McDonald, distinguish it from larger, more resource-intensive facilities. McDonald asserts the project will not consume more electricity or water than the former paper mill and is projected to create hundreds of construction jobs. The Jay select board, the Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce, and the Franklin County commissioners have all submitted letters to Governor Mills, emphasizing the project's benefits and expressing concern that an unexempted LD 307 would prolong economic hardship in their community.