$143K in fed funds for island communities awarded to Island Institute
The Island Institute learned Wednesday that it will receive a USDA Rural Development Rural Community Development Initiative Grant in the amount of $143,350, which it will use to boost economic and educational development in the island communities of Vinalhaven, Frenchboro and Eastport.
The Rockland-based Island Institute will use the funds to provide the rural island communities with seven to 10 fellows for two years to assist in specific needs:
- In Vinalhaven, the fellows will work with the Vinalhaven school and an island-based non-profit, “Partners in Island Education,” to build a program supporting lifelong learning and alternative education programs to increase the capacity of the non-profit and strengthen the economy through kindergarten through adult education.
- In Frenchboro, the fellows will help collect data to inform a comprehensive planning process and for the improvement of emergency management services.
- In Eastport, the fellows will create a collaborative workspace to support growing and diversifying the creative economy for the Eastport Arts Center.
“Over the past 17 years, the Island Institute has placed 109 Island Fellows in rural island and coastal communities across Maine. Partnering talented and passionate recent graduates with skillful community leaders has created tremendous impact on the communities we serve. We are thrilled to be supported by the USDA in this important work,” said Island Institute Community Development Director Karen Burns, who is herself a former Island Fellow, in a prepared statement.
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