10 Maine projects awarded $6.5M in economic development funding

FILE PHOTO / COURTESY CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies in Farmington was awarded $499,869 toward the project amount of $624,869 to expand its to expand its career training program.

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By Laurie Schreiber

An entrepreneurial program for youth and young adults received over half of the budget needed to expand its career training program in agriculture, retail, and entrepreneurship into the Hancock County town of Franklin.

The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, in the Franklin County town of Farmington, was awarded $499,869 toward the project amount of $624,869 to expand its Changemaker program.

The money comes from the Northern Border Regional Commission, established by Congress in 2008 to fund development projects in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York aimed at alleviating economic distress and encouraging private sector job creation.

The Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, founded in 2018 and led by Bonita Tompkins, is a nonprofit entrepreneurial studies program for youth and young adults, who are called “Changemakers.” In 2020, the center opened a 3,000-square-foot storefront and maker space at 156 Main St. for youth to create and sell goods and develop workforce skills.

Earlier this year, the center acquired a six-acre property to build a campus for agriculture, culinary education and home manufacturing and to provide internships and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The latest project includes micro-credentials, mentorship and business incubation to prepare high school students for employment or self-employment. It’s expected that it will support workforce development and economic opportunity for rural youth.

The center was one of 10 Maine organizations to receive a total of $6,541,337 to support development projects.

The funding comes from the Northern Border Regional Commission’s Fiscal Year 2025 Catalyst Program.

“This funding will help improve critical infrastructure in communities across our state while strengthening our workforce and creating economic opportunities for Mainers,” U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a joint statement.

Health and sports

Northern Light Health was awarded $100,000 toward the total cost of $164,568 to conduct a feasibility study for a regional clinical training simulation center in Bangor or Brewer. The study will assess the viability, location and economic impact of expanding simulation-based health care training for local providers, students and emergency personnel.

In Caribou, the Outdoor Sport Institute was awarded $1 million toward the $1,276,480 cost to complete three trail systems in the Katahdin Region, supporting the area’s growing outdoor recreation economy.

The institute was founded in 1999 to create sustainable, active outdoor opportunities for people of all ages through a community coach network and other programs.

The organization has built biathlon and cross-country skiing facilities in Aroostook County, redeveloped alpine ski areas and has trained Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

The latest project is expected to create seasonal and full-time jobs, attract private investment and enhance tourism infrastructure.

Working waterfront

The town of Jonesport — a commercial fishing hub at the tip of a 12-mile peninsula in Washington County and the location for Dutch fish farmer Kingfish Co.’s proposal to build a land-based aquaculture operation — will receive $799,615 toward the $999,520 needed to construct a commercial working waterfront facility at Henry Point, including a boat launch, parking and floating docks.

The project will support 250 fishers and 20 to 50 marine businesses, enhancing economic resilience and access to deep water. This initiative supports infrastructure, fisheries, and rural economic development.

YMCA

The Bangor YMCA was awarded $1 million toward $4,373,278 needed to support construction of a $57.8 million facility designed to double child care capacity, expand health services and provide free mental health and workforce programs for teens. The goal is to improve regional health outcomes, support working families and revitalize downtown Bangor.

Other awards

Maine Development Foundation: $500,000 toward $651,449 to launch a three-year pilot program providing technical assistance, community assessments and direct investments to four rural towns impacted by biomass mill closures.
Caribou Utilities District: $1 million toward $2,555,745 to construct a second water main crossing the Aroostook River, eliminating a single point of failure in the city’s water system, ensuring reliable service, improve fire protection and support regional interconnection with the Loring Commerce Centre.
Friends of Veterans Memorial Library: $606,691 toward $1,376,208 to construct an 8,400-square-foot library and community center in Patten, serving 12 rural towns with broadband access, workforce training and public programming.
The Hancock County Planning Commission: $35,162 toward $52,821 to conduct a feasibility study to improve public transportation access and infrastructure in Hancock County, including community outreach, transit gap analysis and architectural plans for ADA-compliant bus stops using local wood products.
Monmouth Water Association: $1 million toward $10,154,999 to extend public water service to North Monmouth, where private wells are contaminated with PFAS. The project includes installing 14,700 feet of water main, service connections and a new storage tank.

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