Economic Contribution
Poland Spring provides jobs that can help Maine thrive in the 21st century and give people the opportunity to build and grow their lives here. In an era of, and a place where, manufacturing jobs are vanishing, our company relies on quality workers living in rural areas.
Building this plant in Kingfield meant:
- a $60 million investment
- about 40 Maine companies employed, many in Franklin County
- about 75% of costs spent with local Maine companies
- about 300 workers on site during construction
- about 40 employees hired for startup
- ongoing work with local vendors and service providers
Jobs at Poland Spring are clean, skilled and safe. Our bottling facilities are smokestack-free and we bottle a renewable and abundant resource, soundly managed for sustainability. We are a low-impact industry.
Our Philosophy
Poland Spring strives to run an exemplary local business and be an active member of the community. We work to accomplish this through stewardship of natural resources, environmental leadership, sponsorship of events and programs and the donation of money and bottled water to Maine causes.
In each of the Maine communities where we have spring sources, we provide substantial support for municipal needs, education, fire and rescue and environmental protection. In Fryeburg, for example, Poland Spring stepped up with a $100,000 grant to assist with the Fryeburg Academy gym reconstruction after a devastating fire.
How we help in Kingfield
Poland Spring donates to projects that support environmental sustainability, health and wellness and community institutions. At our Kingfield plant, we strive to support initiatives that match the values of our company.
At our plant, we work hard to reduce our carbon footprint through extensive recycling and sustainable water management. We maintain that focus on sustainability when we step outside the plant too, which is why we are committed to helping Kingfield be a healthier, greener community. We also support the important community institutions that keep this community safe and strong and make Kingfield a great place to live and work.
Protecting the environment, teaching the next generation
Statewide, Poland Spring has made cash contributions of more than $2.5 million since 2000. We also donate an annual average of $35,000 worth of bottled water to organizations, causes and events, with a focus on the communities in which we live and work. Some of the most critical programs we support include:
The Nature Conservancy's Last Great Places in Maine – Poland Spring donated $1 million to keep parts of the St. John's River forever wild and has pledged another $250,000 for the Katahdin Forest Project.
- The Nature Conservancy's Last Great Places in Maine – Poland Spring donated $1 million to keep parts of the St. John’s River forever wild and has pledged another $250,000 for the Katahdin Forest Project.
- Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) – Poland Spring supports annual funding for teacher training and water education festivals. These include the Make a Splash water science festivals for Maine kids on National Water Education Day.
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute – Poland Spring provided lead support of $300,000 for LabVenture!, which provides a unique opportunity for Maine students to take on the role of scientist as they experience life at a working marine research facility. Poland Spring’s support enables GMRI to offer this hands-on learning experience to fifth or sixth grade students from every community in Maine, free of charge.
Poland Spring is firmly committed to what we call our " Good Neighbor Policy", a set of 10 principles that help us define how we can take an active and positive role in the municipalities we call home:
1. Open communication
2. Environmental Excellence
3. Responsible Spring Water Resource Management
4. Water Resource Relations
5. Sustainable Land Use
6. Traffic Mitigation
7. Exemplary Employee Practices
8. Water Education
9. Emergency Relief
10. Giving Back
Each of the above 10 points is critical to our mission of bringing value to Maine and our communities, while prospering as a Maine business. We strive to excel in each area.
Click here to download the Kingfield Donation Request form
