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Notes from APP and NMDC
Volume 1, Issue 12
Aug. 24, 2012
In This Issue
MITC Workshop
Veterans Grant
APP Outreach

Export seminar set for Sept. 20 

 

   CARIBOU - A cornerstone of the state's economy, Maine's natural resources represented more than $1.4 billion of export sales in 2011.

   A program being offered by the Maine International Trade Center Thursday, Sept. 20 in Caribou will demystify the basic business aspects of exporting, look deeper into the specifics of Maine's natural resource products and provide a solid roadmap to follow in developing new customers around the world.

   Topics include how to research international markets, handling international payments and legal issues in international product distribution. Participants, who preregister at www.mitc.com, will learn from industry experts from Eaton Peabody, Maine International Trade Center and TD Bank.

   Breakout sessions for wood/forest products and food/agriculture sectors discuss how to take advantage of available grant and cost-share funding programs that support the promotion of these products in foreign markets.

   The program is an opportunity for companies that are just beginning to export or new staff at companies that currently export.

   The workshop will be held at the Northern Maine Development Commission office beginning at 8 a.m.

   The registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 17. There is a $20 fee for MITC members and $35 for nonmembers.


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Education grant to benefit Aroostook and Washington veterans

 

   CARIBOU - A $25,000 grant from the Tibor and Anna Doby Veteran Support Fund will open up additional educational opportunities for veterans in Aroostook and Washington counties.

   This is the second consecutive year $25,000 has been awarded to Northern Maine Development Commission from the Maine Community Foundation's Doby Fund.

   "The mission of that fund is to improve the lives of veterans and their families," said Ryan Pelletier, NMDC's director of economic and workforce development.

   The initial workforce development project last year helped disabled veterans overcome barriers to employment. The new round of funding is designed to help veterans further their education by supplementing the Maine Department of Labor's Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP).

   The VRAP program is for unemployed veterans aged 35 to 60 who want job training. The one drawback according to Pelletier is it only funds 12 months of educational assistance and some of the qualified applicants' desire further education.

   "What we propose to do is work with veterans who qualify for VRAP - who are interested in obtaining a two year degree - the Doby Fund will assist them in getting that second year of education," Pelletier said.

   Pelletier estimates the funds will serve 10 to 15 veterans in the Aroostook Washington region.

   "We understand this funding won't be the save-all for everybody, but it will allow us to continue to do this type of work with our veteran population," Pelletier added. "What we hope to achieve is veterans can develop a roadmap of what is available to them for educational opportunities and if they are still short on funding with both VRAP and this program we will help them find other financial aid opportunities so they can meet their educational goals."

   Additional information on the VRAP program can be obtained at the Maine CareerCenter.

   Tibor and Anna Doby escaped the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, experiencing firsthand the devastating effects of war before being granted political asylum in the U.S. Over time the couple developed an interest in American soldiers who served in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and through their estate, they have provided support to Maine veterans and their families.

   Maine Community Foundation grants cover the full range of nonprofit undertakings, with a special focus in the areas of education, community economic development, the environment and civic engagement.

 

APP conducts industry and manufacturing tours 

   


Over the past few months the Aroostook Partnership for Progress has participated in site tours of manufacturers in Aroostook County to see what their needs may be and how they can become more profitable and hopefully add jobs. Mark Brown (shown from behind), co-owner of Cam Manufacturing in Presque Isle, gives, from left, Bob Dorsey, Pres. of APP; Dana Delano, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership Project Manager; and Bob Clark, Executive Director NMDC, a tour of the facility.