BELFAST — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today visited the Belfast region to hear from business leaders and community members about important issues impacting the area. Senator King began the day visiting Bank of America, met with community and business leaders at the Belfast Co-op, and visited Front Street Shipyard. He will end the day meeting with Sprague Energy at Mack Point Terminal in Searsport.

"One of the most important parts of my job is to listen. And whether it's in hearings in Washington, or right here on Front Street in Belfast, listening helps guide my work on behalf of our state," Senator King said. "These meetings in Belfast today provided important insight into the many different ways we can work together to grow the economy and support Maine people. From food to ferries, innovation starts with local people driven to help their communities, and it was great to see people in Belfast working to support their neighbors and build a diverse, resilient economy."

In the morning, Senator King toured the Bank of America in Belfast, which employs about 725 Maine people and is a significant economic driver for the region. Following the tour, Senator King met with local leaders for lunch at the Belfast Co-op. The Belfast Co-op, founded in 1976, is one of the oldest co-ops in Maine and one of the largest in New England. With over 3,900 members, the Co-op has continued to expand and improve to support the local economy and Belfast's vibrant natural foods industry.

In the afternoon, Senator King visited Front Street Shipyard to discuss its proposed new manufacturing line, which is intended to support the construction of carbon fiber ferries. The proposal would expand Front Street's operation to new markets and help grow the region's workforce. The shipyard is partnering with the Norwegian-based company Brodene Aa, which designs and constructs fast, fuel-efficient ferries, to establish a foothold for carbon fiber ferries in U.S. markets. Ferries currently carry about 103 million passengers and more than 37 million vehicles per year in the United States.

Senator King will end the day meeting with Sprague Energy at Mack Point Terminal in Searsport to discuss infrastructure plans to support the export of forest products and the construction of a new crane for a liquid dry dock to support offshore wind project efforts.