SPRINGVALE — Maine Cheese Guild President Eric Rector came to Gov. Paul LePage’s “Workshop on Job Creation” Tuesday looking for more regulation for his industry, rather than less.

Without a boost in the number of dairy inspectors ”“ there’s just one for the whole state at present, Rector said ”“ new cheesemakers can’t get into the industry and existing manufacturers can’t expand their operations. The state once had three dairy inspectors, said Rector, but the number was dropped to two under the previous state administration. Then, one of the two retired. And while Rector said he understands that the state is in the hiring process at present, there’s been one inspector to look after 300 dairy farms and 40 cheesemakers statewide since April.

“Cheesemaking is the only bright spot” on the dairy horizon in Maine, Rector said, with Maine cheesemakers expected to turn out 1 million pounds next year ”“ up from 100,000 pounds 10 years ago.

LePage pledged to remedy the situation.

“I’ll make sure I address that today,” the Governor said. “If we don’t have an adequate number of inspectors to do the job, I’ll make sure we do.”

LePage addressed about 50 business leaders at the Anderson Learning Center, both before and after workshops on workforce development, marketing the Maine “brand” and energy costs. The Governor himself took part in the marketing session, which was closed to the news media.

LePage said the K-12 education system “has failed us,” and that it needs to change. His communications director, Adrienne Bennett, later said LePage was referring to 111 Maine schools where state assessments show 50 percent of students failed to meet standards in reading and math.

“We cannot succeed without a qualified workforce,” said LePage.

He pointed out that Maine’s energy costs are double what they are in Oklahoma, where a portion of Barber Foods of Portland relocated after the business was sold last year.

He said the Legislature needs to remove the 100-megawatt restriction on hydropower. Projects above the 100-megawatt figure are not considered renewable.

“We can buy cheap hydro and let southern New England buy expensive wind energy,” he said.

He told business leaders to stay in touch with their legislators and senators “and keep their feet to the fire.” He pointed out that he can’t fix some issues without the Legislature’s help.

“They think I’m a monster,” he said. “”¦ The Legislature is like the largest daycare of the state ”¦ and it’s a challenge ”¦”

He said Maine was once a solid brand, but it has eroded.

“I’m looking for the business community to help me, and I’m looking to help you,” he said. “I’m not trying to eliminate regulation, but make it faster and quicker.”

Accompanying the governor to the workshop was senior policy advisor John Butera, energy advisor Ken Fletcher and a host of others.

Fletcher said the administration’s goals are to lower both the cost of energy ”“ he said Maine’s energy costs are the 12th highest in the nation ”“ and consumption.

Tuesday’s workshop was the second of four; the first was in Brunswick, the third will be held in Aroostook County and the fourth in western Maine.

Donna Murray of TrakTec, a Windham label manufacturer, said she was attending the session primarily for the marketing piece.

“I love what the governor is doing for Maine business,” she said.

Jim Nimon, director of the Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council, said the workshop was beneficial.

“We heard a lot of good ideas,” he said, pointing to the next task ”“ putting those ideas into action.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, Ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.