Maine industries increase exports to China.

Publication: Kennebec Journal (Augusta, Maine) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Kennebec Journal

Byline: Chuin-Wei Yap

Oct. 23--Two years ago, as wood manufacturing mills were closing all around his North Anson plant, Randy Cousineau began to think about what he needed to do to survive.

"In a 50- to 60-mile radius, we've been losing six to eight mills a year," said Cousineau, the owner and president of Cousineau Lumber. "The whole thing is that with manufacturing, you're competing with overseas markets on labor and benefits."

For years now, cheaper labor costs in overseas markets -- not least in booming China -- have been driving Maine's wood industry to the brink of extinction.

An Economic Policy Institute study recently had found that Maine loses more jobs to China as a share of employment -- 2.5 percent -- than any other...

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