APP donates $5,000 to economic component of World Acadian Congress
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The Board of Directors of APP meets for the first time in 2014. Around the table, from left, are: Larry Shaw, Gene Lynch, Bob Clark, Sylvia Getman, Bob Dorsey, Kris Doody, Linda Schott, Steve Gagnon and Tim Crowley. Also present but not pictured are Chris Anderson, Jim Davis and Dave DesJardins.
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CARIBOU - Meeting for the first time in 2014, the Board of Directors of Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) today approved a $5,000 donation to the economic component of the World Acadian Congress.
The money will be for sponsorship of conference on exports and market development in North America and the French-speaking world, to be held on August 19-20 in Fort Kent during the World Acadian Congress. The donation matches one from Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC).
"We look at this as not a donation, but an investment," said Bob Clark, executive director NMDC. "We want the economic component of the congress to have a lasting effect."
During the August event several economic seminars, conferences and summits will be held to help grow the economy of the three regions, northern Maine, northwestern New Brunswick and the Temiscouata, Quebec. Topics include a forestry seminar, business plan competition, agriculture and agri-food conference, a future of energy seminar and a final economic summit, which wraps up the entire economic component of the congress.
The World Acadian Congress is a major celebration of Acadian culture and history held every five years since 1994. In 2014 from Aug. 8-24, more than 300 activities, including more than 100 family reunions, should attract up to 50,000 visitors to the region. The estimated economic impact is $55-million, but organizers want to make sure the ripple effects last for many years after the congress closes.
Acadia Federal Credit Union, an investor in APP, previously made a $10,000 pledge, $5,000 to the business plan competition that will award three winners with $5,000 each, plus legal services for a year.
Also at the board meeting, APP President Bob Dorsey presented the APP 2014 goals that will focus priorities for the upcoming year.
Strong emphasis was placed on workforce recruitment, via an "attraction campaign" and the need to collaborate on training the workforce to support the anticipated mill openings and manufacturing expansion.
Dorsey also used to the opportunity to thank the people who work on the various working groups looking to advance agriculture, forestry, renewable energy and others.
"I am really blessed with participants on the six working groups - folks that care about advancing Aroostook and wish to see progress and jobs materialize for our region."
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