🔒Grant expected to fuel Aroostook County economy, business growth

The Northern Border Regional Commission recently awarded $360,210 in federal funds to the Northern Maine Development Commission in support of Aroostook Rising, an economic development initiative led by Aroostook Partnership. To find out more about how the grant will be put to use and where the greatest needs are, Mainebiz checked in with Kiersten Purington, Aroostook Partnership's president and CEO. Mainebiz: How will the funding be put to use? Kiersten Purington: The funding will support implementation of Aroostook Rising, a county-wide economic development initiative focused on strengthening Aroostook County's workforce by attracting and retaining the talent our employers need to grow. The project includes three primary components: developing a unified regional brand and targeted marketing campaign to attract talent; expanding a coordinated workforce strategist effort that connects prospective employees with opportunities across the region; and strengthening our county-wide Newcomer Ambassador Program to help new residents and their families successfully integrate into the community. Together, these efforts create a comprehensive strategy that supports business growth by helping employers recruit — and retain — the workforce they need to compete. MB: Why is this initiative needed now? KP: The greatest barrier to economic growth in Aroostook County today is workforce availability. Businesses across multiple industries are ready to grow, invest and expand, but many cannot do so because they cannot find enough qualified workers. At the same time, our region has experienced nearly a 9% population decline since 2000, while our workforce continues to age. Aroostook Rising addresses these challenges by creating a coordinated regional strategy to attract new residents, connect them with employment opportunities and help them become long-term members of our communities. This is about strengthening the foundation of our regional economy, not simply filling individual job openings. MB: What industries are struggling the most to find workers? KP: Nearly every major industry is experiencing workforce shortages, which is why Aroostook Rising was intentionally designed as a countywide initiative rather than a sector-specific program. Health care, skilled trades, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, education and professional services all report difficulty recruiting qualified employees. Employers are seeking physicians, nurses, dentists, veterinarians, electricians, mechanics, equipment operators, engineers, accountants, IT professionals and business leaders, while child care, logistics, hospitality and social services also face significant workforce gaps. These positions are essential not only to individual employers, but to the continued competitiveness of Aroostook County's economy. MB: What are some concrete examples of Aroostook Rising's achievements? KP: This grant builds on momentum that is already underway. We launched an updated website called OpportunitiesAroostook.com as a centralized platform showcasing career opportunities and quality of life across the region, established a dedicated Resident Recruiter position to connect prospective residents with employers, and created a County-wide Newcomer Ambassador Program partnering with the existing chapter in Houlton (Gateway Ambassadors) and establishing new chapters in Central Aroostook, Fort Kent and Madawaska. These ambassador programs provide newcomers with community connections that support long-term retention. We've also seen significant growth in website traffic and social media engagement through our marketing efforts, demonstrating growing awareness of Aroostook County as a place to build both a career and a life. This grant allows us to expand and coordinate these efforts into a comprehensive regional strategy. MB: Does the grant require a local match contribution? KP: Yes. The Northern Border Regional Commission requires a 20% minimum match but this project includes a 34% local match totaling $190,000. The match consists of $150,000 in private-sector investment secured through the Aroostook Partnership's investor network and $40,000 in committed funding from Northern Maine Development Commission. That local investment is particularly meaningful because it demonstrates that businesses and regional partners recognize workforce development as an economic development priority and are willing to invest alongside the federal government to ensure the initiative's long-term success. MB: What does the funding mean for broader economic development? KP: This funding allows Aroostook County to move beyond isolated recruitment efforts and implement a coordinated, county-wide strategy that benefits employers across every major industry. By attracting and retaining skilled workers and helping them build lasting connections to our communities, Aroostook Rising supports business growth, stabilizes population, strengthens the tax base and positions the region for sustained economic success. This investment is not simply about filling jobs today — it is about building the workforce and economic resilience Aroostook County will need for decades to come.