News from APP/NMDC

Notes from APP and NMDC

Volume 1, Issue 43

April 5, 2013

In This Issue

SBA Awards

"Education to Industry"

CareerOneStop Link

Biomass Fair

SBA honors two County businesses

AUGUSTA - Two Aroostook County businesses are being honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Derosier family, owners of Lakeview Restaurant and Camping Resort in St. Agatha, has been selected to receive the annual Jeffrey Butland Award for 2013 for the state of Maine and the New England Regional Award.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and recognizing those who work so hard to facilitate their success is truly an honor," said Marilyn Geroux, SBA district director for Maine, said in a press release.

"It is a particular privilege to present this award to the Derosier family because they have achieved success in their own small business for multiple generations, which is truly impressive," added Geroux.

Lakeview Restaurant and Camping Resort was founded in the early 1980s by Carol and Richard Derosier as a small diner, which has since been expanded into a 275-seat restaurant with a staff of 50. In 1995, the Derosier family expanded the business to include a 75-site campground.

Carol lost her battle with cancer Monday, April 1, 2013; Dick passed away on Feb. 18, 2012.

Currently, Jennifer Derosier Daigle, Carol and Richard's daughter, and her husband Jason own and manage Lakeview Restaurant & Camping Resort. The Business Finance Department at the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) nominated the Derosier Family for the award.

"One of the things that make the time we spend with customers and the help that we try to provide over the years is to see a family owned business grow," said Duane Walton, NMDC director of business finance. "We have had the opportunity to work with Dick and Carol for many years, seen their children grow and become involved in the business at various time and now see that they have families of their own and doing very well. This is a business that has a tremendous affect on the region economically. It was made into a destination selected by patrons from all over that enjoy the snowmobiling, the summer recreation and the great meals that Lakeview has offered for many years."

Also being honored by the SBA is Cory Laplante, owner of Northern Prosthetics. He has been selected to receive the SBA's Young Entrepreneur New England Regional Award.

"It is a particular privilege to present this award to Mr. Laplante because of his empathy and the outstanding work his company has done in helping citizens with disabilities and medical conditions live fuller lives," said Geroux.

Northern Prosthetics, which is located in Presque Isle, sells prosthetics and orthotics, some of which are manufactured on-site. These range from basic foot orthotics up to more advanced microprocessors for prosthetics.

The company has obtained loan guaranty funding from the SBA through Katahdin Trust Co., which nominated Laplante for the award.

Laplante and the Derosier family will be honored at an SBA celebration luncheon June 4, at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

"Education to Industry" discussed at APP meeting

PRESQUE ISLE - Finding skilled workers is and will continue to be a challenge in Maine and Aroostook County is no exception. Many local educators are working to address needs as Tim Doak, superintendent for SAD 27, recently explained to the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) board of directors.

"Schools and businesses today need to work together to decrease that learning gap that we are finding in kids who leave our school systems and going to college or into the workforce and are still lacking some skills that will be crucial to them being productive members of society," said Doak.

APP President Bob Dorsey (standing) addresses the APP Board of Directors at the group's March meeting.

Doak added recently school systems are coming together to address challenges and find solutions to meet the needs of students at all schools in Aroostook County.

"For the first time we have come together to form the Northern Maine Educational Collaborative to work toward the goal of trying to work together to improve the overall experience we give to students in Aroostook County," he said.

APP President Bob Dorsey and the board of directors have identified "education to industry" as a priority for the organization.

"With the 18- to 44-year-old workforce challenge, coupled with the jobs projections we see and the needed additional skills, the education to industry initiative is imperative and the entire board is enthusiastically behind the effort," said Dorsey.

"We are going to have to promote more thinking, more ways to get children to reason and rationalize as they read, write and do math," said Doak. "We also want students to engage with their communities more and that's why the businesses and schools really need to pull together to decrease the learning gap."

"Connecting business with educators is going to take work and planning," said Dorsey. "We plan on having a joint APP LEADers Encouraging Aroostook Development meeting May 1 to outline the sense of urgency and gauge interest."

The meeting specifics are still being formulated and invitations will be sent out by the middle of April.

CareerOneStop Business Center now online

CARIBOU - A new suite of online resources for employers looking to recruit, train and retain a skilled workforce is accessible from a link on the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) website, www.nmdc.org.

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the launch of the CareerOneStop Business Center, which includes tips about how to recruit qualified candidates through local American Job Centers and provides employment projections. Additionally, the site offers access to local training and educational institutions, a catalog of occupational certifications and a tool to help employers translate the military training and skills of returning service members into specific civilian occupations.

""We are pleased to partner with the US DOL to launch this new interactive business center tool," said Ryan Pelletier, director of economic and workforce development at NMDC. "We believe this new feature will be of great benefit to our region's employers."

"These resources will help educate employers about our nation's workforce development system and put the resources they need to find and hire qualified workers right at their fingertips," said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.

The new Business Center page builds on existing resources available through CareerOneStop, which also has information to help job seekers find education and training providers, conduct a job search and access local labor market information.

If companies in Aroostook or Washington counties have any questions or need assistance with the Business Center website, they are encouraged to contact Pelletier at 498-8736 or by email at rpelletier@nmdc.org.

Advancing Aroostook

Biomass 2: Overcoming Obstacles

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