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Notes from APP and NMDC
Volume 2, Issue 56
July 5, 2013
In This Issue
New Employee
ACT Network
EDA Grant
Thank You Gift
Russell joins NMDC

    BANGOR - Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) is pleased to announce Joanna Russell of Bangor has been hired as Tri-County Workforce Development Director. In this role, she will also serve as the Executive Director of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board (TCWIB) serving Penobscot, Piscataquis and Hancock counties.
Joanna Russell
Joanna Russell

   Russell has served as the Executive Director at TCWIB at Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) since 2007 and previously served as Director of Career Services at the Metropolitan College of New York. On July1, NMDC replaced EMDC as the fiscal agent for TCWIB.

   "Joanna brings extensive years of experience in workforce development and career services, said NMDC Director of Workforce and Economic Development Ryan Pelletier. "She has done an exceptional job in her role as Executive Director of the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board under the previous fiscal agent. She is highly regarded in the tri county region as a dedicated, hard working individual. We are delighted to have her join the NMDC staff and look forward to more collaboration between our two regions."

   Russell has been engaged in workforce development her entire career and said she looks forward to continuing her work with TCWIB.

   "I get the greatest satisfaction when systems are successfully built to accommodate educators, businesses and job seekers within the same framework," said Russell. "This requires that all entities speak the same language and follow the same guidelines. The task is easier said than done. In local area two, we have made great strides to see this come to fruition to the extent that all three entities understand the importance of having a 'WorkReady' community."

   Under the direction of the Chief Local Elected Officials (CLEO's) and the Tri-County Workforce Board, the TCWIB Executive Director position provides professional management and administrative services at the board level in directing fiscal planning, budgeting, contract development and assessment of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs in Hancock, Penobscot and Piscataquis service delivery area. The position is responsible for developing a budget from multiple funding sources and budget preparation for a wide variety of grants, contracts and reimbursable agreements. Work includes developing recommendations for the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) in areas such as service strategy, program planning, design and operation, performance standards and other duties needed as related to the workforce development needs of the Tri-County region.

   Russell began her employment with NMDC July 2, based out of a new Bangor location at 26 Franklin Street. She can be reached at  [email protected].

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ACT Network signup under way

 

   CARIBOU - In an effort to increase communications and strengthen collaborative efforts in Aroostook, an ACT Network is being established that will provide the opportunity for people within the tourism industry to share information and be regularly informed of tourism promotional efforts of Aroostook County Tourism (ACT), the Maine Office of Tourism and other organizations performing tourism related efforts. ACT Logo 

   The ACT Network will represent a variety of areas in the tourism industry and will provide a forum for discussion and an opportunity for people to offer expertise and assistance to the ACT Board.

   "We need input from business people, civic leaders and the general public as to what direction we should go," said ACT Board member Steve Dobson, who owns the Aroostook Hospitality Inns in Washburn and Van Buren. "The more ideas we can receive and the community working together, from Fort Kent to Patten, will result in better, more connected tourism efforts."

   Leslie Jackson, regional tourism developer for Northern Maine Development Commission, said signup to be part of the network has begun. A link to the online registration is on ACT's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AroostookCountyTourism.

   "We hope to have an annual function so people on the network can get together," said Jackson. "We find that networking and people actually meeting face to face is a great opportunity for people to discuss issues and problem-solving can take place."

   "Everybody in Aroostook County should be aware of ACT," added Dobson. "Businesses should be aware of it, even your family should be aware, because every bit of tourism that comes into Aroostook County helps the region grow and tourism is the largest industry in the state of Maine and we just want our small piece of it."

   ACT, a standing committee of NMDC, is dedicated to improving the economy of northern Maine through its tourism efforts.  Working under the brand Aroostook "the Crown of Maine," ACT promotes some of the regions greatest assets like its pristine beauty, diverse culture, storied history and wonderful people to potential visitors from around the world.  

EDA awards NMDC $60,000 for economic development strategy

   CARIBOU - The Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) continues to work toward a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for Aroostook and Washington counties and is being assisted by a $60,000 grant, awarded last month, from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

   The funding will be used to establish an economic development planning framework, process and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation.

   The CEDS project brings together public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.

   The Mobilize Northern Maine asset based strategic planning initiative is the process from which the CEDS is being developed using six pillars as a foundation. They are asset based cluster development, entrepreneurship and innovation, education and workforce development, access to capital, infrastructure and environment and leadership.

   The 380 Economic Development Districts (EDDs) throughout the U.S. regularly develop and update CEDS as a part of their work to help communities.

   Many states, including Maine, Oklahoma, Florida, New Mexico, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, North Carolina and Tennessee, are pursuing Statewide CEDS. Some of these states are actively planning, while others are still in the discussion stage.

   This statewide approach helps states to address larger, common needs and priorities.

NMDC staff present going away gift to long time employee

Staff with Brian Longstaff
   Staff at NMDC recently gathered to wish Brian Longstaff well, as he moves on to a new challenge in southern Maine. Longstaff has been with NMDC for almost 14 years. He begins his new post with the city of Scarborough later this month. Pictured are from left, back row: Judy Dinsmore, Ryan Pelletier, Dana Delano, Jay Kamm, Ken Murchison, David Spooner, Alain Ouellette, Mike Eisensmith, Duane Walton, Bob Clark, Natalie St. Pierre and Rod Thompson. Front row: Tracy Tweedie, Leslie Jackson, Longstaff, Eric Scott and Connie Akerson.


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