Volume 4, Issue 2

Summer 2012

Initiating and facilitating the creations of jobs and prosperity in Washington County

Board of Directors Cote, Clossey Receive MaineSBA Awards! Josh Bragg Chair CES Engineers/Surveyors Gourmet Food Com- cial Services Cham- panyMike (left) Cote andof Look’s SCEC named SBA’s Finan- Leola Carter pion for and Vice Chair Executive Director for his Harold Clossey commitment to pro- (right) are the proud viding flexible, low- Bayside Shop ‘n Save r e c i p i e n t s o f interest financing Jody4 Corners Grimes Shop ‘n Save MaineSBA 2012 solutions to Wash- Secretary small business Lubec Rental Properties ington County busi- awards. nesses. Under Blaine Jones Earlier this spring, Treasurer Cote was named ship, SCEC has es- Bangor Savings Bank Maine Small Business tablishedClossey’s a leader- loan Person of the Year fund for commercial Susan Corbett Axiom Technologies fishermen, partnered with the Finance Au- thority of Maine, and expanded existing Shirley Erickson Thefor reviving Whiting one businessman of the state’s was last also surviving named lending programs. In 2011, SCEC loans and Maine Educational secondcanneries. runner But the up story for the doesn’t National end there. Small funds they leveraged totaled $1,322,000, Loan Authority Business Person of the Year award during a creating or retaining 78 fulltime jobs. National Small Business Week ceremony in On behalf of everyone at SCEC, congrats to Tina Erskine Washington D.C. Mike and Harold for their commitment to Washington County Community College making Washington County the best place to tive Director since September 2006, was live, work and play. Phil Grant Clossey, who has served as SCEC’s Execu- Retired, Husson University Downeast Fisheries Trail Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Cindy Huggins Two County Collaboration University of Maine at Machias active fisheries sites that il- ties, Maine Sea Grant worked Chris Lyford Machias Savings Bank with SCEC, Down East RC&D, maritime heritage. the Lobster Institute and oth- Representative Joyce Maker lustrate the region’s rich ers to revamp the trail in State Representative Washington County and ex- fisheries,“We have and an highlight excellent op-the pand it into Hancock County. Sheridan Smith long-standingportunity to celebrate traditions today’s of Brochures can be found at Border Electric local information centers or

Assistant Director Jennifer you can call 207-581-1435 Robert Tyler Representatives of the Indian Township Planning the Downeast coast,” SCEC for a printed copy. & Economic Development Downeast Fisheries Trail excellent educational tool, celebrated the first day of teachingPeters, said. us all “The how Trail important is an Ex-Officio summer with a ribbon cut- natural resources are to both Representative David Burns ting ceremony at Cobscook Washington County Bay State Park in Edmunds. With support from the Legislative Delegation The Fisheries Trail runs Mainecounties.” Community Founda- Chris Gardner from the Penobscot Marine tion, Downeast Re- Washington County Museum in Searsport to Roo- gional Tourism (DART), the Commissioners sevelt Campobello Interna- Bureau of Parks & Lands and tional Park in New Bruns- Inland Fish & Wildlife and wick, connecting historic and input from local communi-

Mobilize Maine and GROWashington-Aroostook Kick Off

Aroostook and Washington counties. -Aroostook is an op- are. It starts with what we’ve got, and if portunity for the people of our two there’s The effort one thing is being Washington coordinated County’s by “GROWashington SCECgot, it is Project assets.” Manager Larry Saunders, Assistant Director Jennifer Peters said. who encouraged interested business counties to embrace the future,” SCEC leaders to contact him if they would like to be a part of the process. “There Peters, are and multiple WCCOG components Executive Director with a Judyplace East, for everyone who works to be directly involved.” with mu- An estimated 80 business and commu- leadership team the group of business nicipal governments across Washington nity leaders from across Washington and“We’re community looking forleaders volunteers who oversee on the County, urged meeting attendees to par- County gathered at the University of the whole project– as well as the goal ticipate in a host of workgroups on top- Maine at Machias June 28 to learn more setting team, and other action teams ics including healthy communities, eco- about two local initiatives that will be that will emerge throughout– the proc- nomic development, workforce develop- heating up with the summer temps ess. We want people who are ready to ment, renewable energy, transportation, GROWashington-Aroostook and Mobi- set tangible goals, to identify Washing- communications, sustainable housing, lize Maine. — water infrastructure, reforming the Mobilize Maine seeks to identify re- gional assets, set tangible goals, and ton County’s assets, and begin future others (see page 3). collaboratively pursue economic oppor- planning,” Saunders said. “We want peo- state’s To learn Growth more about Management GRO-WA Law, or to andget tunities that benefit Washington County. ple SCEC who and aren’t the afraid Washington to roll County their involved in the project, visit Councilsleeves up of and Governments work aggressively.” (WCCOG) also http://www.gro-wa.org or contact Pe- unveiled a two-county regional planning ters at 255-0983. and“Mobilize SCEC Board Maine member is perfectly Cindy suited Huggins for initiative known as GROWashington- To learn more about Mobilize Maine, Washington County,” UMM President Aroostook (GRO-WA) which focuses on contact Saunders at 259-5004 or by based. It is measurable. It is not focused job creation, modern infrastructure, and email at onsaid. what “It iswe regionally need or whatfocused. the Itproblems is asset healthy, affordable communities in [email protected].

SCEC Bids Farewell to Hedlund, Welcomes New Board Member Erskine

On behalf of Sunrise County Eco- ened its relationship with WCCC by opening up an office on campus, Executive Director Harold Clossey making the Council more accessible wouldnomic like Council’s to thank Board retiring and Wash- staff, to clients in northern and eastern ington County Community College portions of the county. Hedlund President Joyce Hedlund (left) for retired from WCCC on June 30. Clossey also welcomed WCCC Hu- of Directors. man Resources Director Tina Er- her service on the Council’s Board skine (right) to the Board. Erskine, 2011 and worked with the Council a Washington County native who Hedlund joined SCEC’s Board in has been with the community col- cation, economic and workforce lege since 1994, is involved in nu- developmentto align Washington strategies. County’s During edu- merous community outreach efforts.

Hedlund’s tenure, SCEC strength-

Mobilize Maine and GROWashington-Aroostook Kick-off Brings Together More Than 80 Local Community and Business Leaders

Jen Peters Judy East Assistant Director Executive Director Sunrise County Washington County Economic Council Council of Governments

Local Training for Your Business!

with the Downeast Business Alliance to trainings are free or presented at a re- hold QuickBooks training for businesses duced rate. Please contact Will who want to learn the popular book- ([email protected] keeping software. got suggestions or would like informa- SCEC has offered these and other tion on upcoming training. ) if you’ve trainings on a host of topics ranging In May, 30 small-businesses and non- from government contracting to cus- profit organizations learned how to get tomer service for managers. They are the most out of social media sites like presented locally either on-site or Facebook and Twitter thanks to a joint through video-conferencing technology. effort between SCEC and UMM. Thanks in large part— to funding from Earlier in the month, SCEC teamed up the Foundation and the Maine with WCCC to offer food safety manager Woods Tourism Training Initiative, you certification (ServSafe) training in can attend without breaking the bank. Calais. In July, the Council partnered SCEC is generally able to ensure that

SCEC Welcomes New Employees

SCEC Machias Office Machias Telebusiness Center 17 Stackpole Road Larry Saunders Sharon Foss P.O. Box 679 Project Manager Project Coordinator Machias, ME 04654 Phone: (207) 255-0983 Fax: (207) 255-4987 Sunrise County Economic Council Local Happenings SCEC Calais Office Washington County SCEC’s weekly electronic bulletin, Community College Local Happenings, keeps you con- 1 College Drive nected with Washington County and features the latest: Calais, ME 04619 Phone: (207) 259-5004 Trainings & Workshops Community Events Arts, Music & Entertainment SCEC Website Meetings & Notices www.sunrisecounty.org Continuing Education & Scholarship Opportunities Fun Facts Contact And much more [email protected]

To sign up, click on the photo (right) or email Will! ([email protected]) “Like” us on Facebook

SCEC Economic & Community Development Partners