News from APP/NMDC

Notes from APP and NMDC

Volume 2, Issue 54

June 21, 2013

In This Issue

Grant Opportunities

Annual Meeting

Public Input Needed

Grant funding available from NBRC

CARIBOU -The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) announced it is now accepting applications for the next round of federal grant funding for economic development projects from the four northern border states - Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont and once again Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) will be providing a completeness review and technical assistance to applicants.

The NBRC was created as federal-state partnership under legislation approved in the 2008 Farm Bill, with the aim of addressing the economic and community development needs of severely distressed areas in the Northern Forest region.

NBRC provides assistance for projects in seven priority sectors: basic public infrastructure; transportation infrastructure; telecom infrastructure; workforce training and business development; renewable and alternative energy sources; resource conservation, tourism, recreation and preservation of open spaces; and health care and public services in distressed communities.

"Our primary focus is to invest in projects that create jobs," said Sandy Blitz, co-chair of the NBRC, speaking on a conference call with Aroostook County economic and municipal officials. "We are looking to put money into complete projects, up and running, and not get caught in partial projects."

The call, organized by NMDC, was an opportunity to learn more about the grant requirements and other details.

"In order to conduct the completeness review process more efficient and timely, we will be asking applicants to scan and email draft applications to the attention of Judy Dinsmore at jdinsmore@nmdc.org on or before July 15, said Alain Ouellette, NMDC planning and development division director. "NMDC will promptly conduct the completeness review and will email its report/findings back to the applicant."

The NBRC expects to have disbursed $1.2 million, throughout the four states, by late summer. The maximum amount allocated per grant applicant will be $200,000.

The NBRC last year awarded $250,000 to three St. John Valley communities to promote expanded tourism and economic development opportunities by constructing boat landings and picnic areas in advance of the 2014 World Acadian Congress. The previous year $200,000 was awarded to Van Buren toward the construction of a vegetable-processing plant to help expand markets for local farmers and $50,000 to Northern Maine Finance Corp. in Caribou to establish a public-private partnership aimed at linking entrepreneurs with investors to grow business and jobs in Aroostook and Washington counties.

Not only has NMDC helped secure funding from the NBRC over the past two years, it was a factor in the commission being formed.

"NMDC was asked to review the initial legislation that created the NBRC and as a result the legislation was revised to be more flexible and reflect the unique characteristics of the four state region," said NMDC Executive Director Bob Clark.

For more information, contact Dinsmore or Ouellette at 498-8736.

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NMDC Exec. Board approves grant applications to aid "Education to Industry" and manufacturing

ST. AGATHA - The Executive Board of the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) has given approval to two grant applications which, if awarded, would be a boost to manufacturing in the region and fund an aggressive "Education to Industry" initiative spearheaded by the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP).

Meeting in St. Agatha Thursday, June 13, the board unanimously approved a $50,000 dollar grant application to the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation.

Bob Clark presents the annual report of NMDC members

NMDC Executive Director Bob Clark presents the annual report at the annual meeting. Executive Board Chairman Jim Tweedie is also pictured.

"The 'Education to Industry' initiative is a fundamental component to growing our 18- to 44-year-old workforce here in Aroostook County," said Ryan Pelletier, NMDC director of economic and workforce development. "The proposal we have submitted to the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will be pivotal to our success by leveraging public and private resources to do marketing and outreach; hosting mentorships, job shadowing and intern programs to County youth and engaging our business community to ensure success."

"This initiative will take significant time and resources to change the way education and businesses are working together and make it a standardized process over the next few years," said APP President Bob Dorsey.

The Executive Board also authorized a $200,000 grant proposal to the Economic Development Administration for an Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) Grant. This proposal will develop a strategy to advance the design and manufacture of biomass heating appliances in northern Maine. The strategic process will focus on two options: the ability to accomplish research and development of more affordable heating devices in the region and the likelihood of attracting a European manufacturer to perform fabrication and assembly activities here.

"This dovetails well with our recent meeting with Schmid Energy in Switzerland," said NMDC Executive Director Bob Clark. "Part of this whole application is to find manufacturers of biomass boilers and appliances and Schmid would be a perfect fit for that."

The annual meeting of the members followed the Executive Board session, where Clark gave an overview of the NMDC operating plan for 2013-14. Clark said for the ninth consecutive year NMDC has not increased dues to the members, noting that most municipalities recoup the cost of dues by savings received through NMDC's cooperative road salt purchase. He also indicated staff is working to find other cooperative opportunities to save members even more in the future.

Also at the annual meeting the slate of officers for the fiscal year were selected. Don Guimond of Fort Kent will serve as chairperson, replacing Jim Tweedie. The other officers are Christy Sirois of St. Agatha, vice chair; Christina Therrien of Madawaska, treasurer; and Austin Bleess of Caribou, secretary. Also elected to Executive Board two-year terms were: Don Adams, Patten; Jim Bennett, Presque Isle; Ralph Dwyer, Ashland; Jon Frederick, Castle Hill; Denis Gagne, Bridgewater; John Herold, Fort Fairfield; Max Lynds, Littleton; Ray Mersereau, Mars Hill; Patricia Pelletier, Allagash; Sirios; Therrien; and Barb Pitcarin, Portage Lake. Elected to one-year terms were Bleess and Gene Conlogue of Houlton.

NMDC Business Finance Director Duane Walton presents a retirement present to Eric Scott, who after 14 plus years at NMDC is retiring in July.

Two employees were lauded for employment milestones with NMDC. Leslie Jackson, regional tourism and IT design developer, has been with NMDC for 10 years and Dave Spooner, business and workforce development specialist and PTAC coordinator, has 15 years of service.

Also at the annual meeting, Eric Scott, a loan officer in the business finance department, was presented with several retirement gifts. He is retiring in July after 14 plus years with NMDC.

Public input needed on Brownfield redevelopment and water infrastructure

CARIBOU - A public meeting will be held Wednesday, June 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Northern Maine Development Commission office in Caribou, and at video conference sites in Houlton and Fort Kent, to receive input on brownfield redevelopment and water infrastructure needs.

The meeting is being held as a component of GROWashington Aroostook, a regional planning process focused on job creation, modern infrastructure and healthy, affordable communities in the counties of Aroostook and Washington counties.

The purpose of the meeting is to gather input, ideas and solutions for Brownfield redevelopment and water infrastructure improvements. Residents will be asked about their goals for the region and to identify actions and projects to foster economic prosperity and a regional vision.

Please RSVP to Judy Dinsmore at 1-800-427-8736 or 498-8736, indicating which location you would like to attend.

Supported by a Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant, which forms a unique partnership between three federal agencies, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency, GROWashington-Aroostook uses federal support for regionally driven solutions. It calls on local voices to define the best talent and greatest advantages for a future community that is prosperous, healthy and economically stable.