MITC office joins the Arctic Economic Council

Photo / Lori Valigra Dana Eidsness, director of the Maine North Atlantic Development Office, which is one of three new members of the Arctic Economic Council and the first AEC member coming from the lower 48 states of the United States.

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By Staff

The Maine North Atlantic Development Office at Maine International Trade Center is one of three new members of the Arctic Economic Council.

MENADO is the first AEC member coming from the lower 48 states in the United States.

The Arctic Economic Council is an independent organization based in Tromsø, Norway, that facilitates Arctic business-to-business activities and responsible economic development through the sharing of best practices, technological solutions, standards and other information. It supports market accessibility and provides advice and a business perspective to the work of the Arctic Council.

AEC members represent a wide range of businesses operating in the Arctic — from mining and shipping companies to reindeer herding and indigenous economic development corporations. The council’s working groups focus on infrastructure, telecommunications and maritime transportation, as well as responsible resource development and Arctic stewardship. Future working group efforts will focus on aviation, tourism, fishing and other marine resources, and investment and infrastructure.

“MENADO and its partners are intrigued by the opportunity to work through the AEC to share best practices and technological solutions,” said MENADO Chairman Christopher Howard, a partner at Pierce Atwood and lead of the law firm’s Arctic and North Atlantic practice. “We look forward to connecting with partners throughout the Arctic to help foster business-to-business activities where Maine's business and industry strengths can be mobilized for the mutual benefit of all engaged with the AEC."

About MENADO and Arctic Economic Council

Maine North Atlantic Development Office facilitates the development of North Atlantic and Arctic networks connecting Maine businesses, educators and innovation leaders with regional opportunities for trade in goods, services and innovation exchanges.

In fall of 2016, MENADO organized the Maine Host Committee for the Arctic Council meetings and events held throughout Maine.

The Arctic Economic Council is a business forum established to facilitate Arctic business-to-business activities, promote responsible economic development and provide a circumpolar business perspective to the work of the Arctic Council. Its inaugural meeting was held in September 2014 in Iqaluit, Nunavut Canada. It has a 42-member board from eight Arctic states and six permanent participant organizations. The Finnish business community holds the AEC’s chairmanship from 2017 to 2019.