Maine Development Foundation

Join us Tuesday, October 27 to learn about the Thriving Community Model (TCM), a new program that brings together 3 statewide agencies to serve Maine’s rural communities in a comprehensive, coordinated way. MDF is teaming up with Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) and Maine Redevelopment to connect rural communities with a collaborative network of economic/community development service providers. This improved system will allow Maine communities easy access to the services they need. Visit the webpage here for more info, or register for the upcoming informational webinar: https://lnkd.in/g6cfzgFc FOR/Maine Maine Municipal Association GrowSmart Maine Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Northern Maine Development Commission Eastern Maine Development Corporation Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Sunrise County Economic Council Island Institute Maine Department of Transportation #ruralcommunities #community #economicdevelopment #economy Yellow Light Breen Rosie Vanadestine CEcD

NEW DATE! We are rescheduling this event to enable more folks to register and participate. We hope you join us THURS., DEC. 17, 8-10 a.m., in Portland. Register: https://lnkd.in/gmRPbFFN

MDF's Leadership Maine Harraseeket class was on the bus and in community across northern Maine last week, making connections with and learning from business and community leaders. Thank you to our hosts and partners: Smith's Farm - @Emily Smith, @Loring Development Authority - Jonathan Judkins, @Loring Job Center - Kristie Moir & Roger Felix, Taste of Maine Potato Chip Company - @Bruce Sargent, @Wendy Cote & @Jim Pelkey, @Northern Maine Community Trails - Melissa Arndt, @Chris Condon & @Mike Chasse,  Ignite Presque Isle - LeRae Kinney, MMG Insurance - Matt McHatten, Aroostook Partnership - Kiersten Smith Purington, Irving Woodlands - Douglas Cyr, University of Maine at Fort Kent - Heidi Carter, @Erin Soucy, Patrick Lacroix, @Town of Van Buren - Luke Dyer, @Tekαkαpimək & @Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument - @James Eric Francis, @Neal Labrie, Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters - @Brian Hinricks, @Molunkus Valley Sno-Drifters - @Debbie Long, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - @Kris MacCabe, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development - Jeff McCabe, @Shin Pond Village - @Terry Thurston-Hill And to the bus trip sponsors: Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River Company, Irving Woodlands Gratitude to Leadership Maine facilitator Jan Kearce and Program Director Julie Beane. Go get 'em, Harraseeket Class: Emily Babineau Jennifer Boutin @Jordan Buzzel Kevin Compher @Nadia Crockett-Current @Nathan DelGuidice Sarah Delmar Melissa Moffett Denbow James Doherty Tricia Duchesneau Nora Fagan Chris Gailey Cecil Gardner Jessica Giles @Britt Gleixner-Hyat @Stan Grunder @Marty Hamre @Rick Harbison Kristen Henry @Genevieve Hering Katie Jones @Janette Kirk @Karl Lagasse Raynor Large Craig Lincoln Maureen Littlefield Noah L. James Mattila, CCUE Brandon McDonald Jenna Muzzy, MSIB, PMP Greg Norton Ariel Ricci Kristin Ryan Tushima Griffin-Sims Heather Smith Michelle Tupper Jake V. Jane Whitley Dee Williams Jonathan Wood Penny York

AI is daunting ... and exciting ... all at the same time. So let's figure out how to harness it TOGETHER! Join us next Wednesday, October 21, for an interactive workshop with 3 dynamic Maine leaders, Matthew Stein of Pierce Atwood LLP, Rich Brooks of flyte new media, and @Ryan Low of Maine's Public Universities/ University of Maine, who will offer their expertise in navigating and harnessing AI. Bring your best insights, your burning questions, and that can-do Maine energy. 🔶 When: Wed. October 21, 8:00-10:00am 🟦 Where: Pierce Atwood, 254 Commerical Street, Merrill's Wharf, Portland 😎 REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/gQcd62rB #artificialintelligence #leadershipdevelopment #leadership #community #workforce #inspiration Yellow Light Breen Kristen Card, EdD, DBA Nelson Geel Pious Ali Bangor Savings Bank Mainebiz Unum

Terrific piece by NEWS CENTER Maine and Drew Peters highlighting the Maine Career Catalyst program that helps attract and retain young professionals - and their families - to live, work, and STAY in Maine. Kudos to longtime MDF partners in #education & #workforcedevelopment Educate Maine and Live and Work in Maine for making the program possible! And shoutout to MDF Leadership Maine Alums & all-around forces for good, Katie Shorey and David C. Pease, who are both featured in the piece. Worth the 2-minutes to watch and be inspired: https://lnkd.in/gPaZRmrW Thank you to @Maddie Edwards and George Kelsey for sharing your experience with the program and your wisdom, and to long-time MDF Champion Circle Member businesses Hannaford Supermarkets and Bangor Savings Bank who are the featured employers in the piece. #Dirigo! Yellow Light Breen Julie Beane Jan Kearce Theresa Cody, CERP Bob Montgomery-Rice Ericka (Dodge) Katz Kate Howell Jason Judd, Ed.D.

Alarming challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are headlining news reports. We are all aware the technology is already an integral part of our business life, our communities, the classroom, and our personal life. How can we support each other to use it appropriately and make sure it is working for us, not against us? How can we collaborate to harness the opportunities it presents and address the challenges it poses? Let's figure it out TOGETHER! Join us for an interactive workshop facilitated by experts in different areas of AI including @Ryan Low, Vice Chancellor of Finance & Strategic AI Integration, Maine's Public Universities / UMaine System, Rich Brooks, President of flyte new media, and Matthew Stein, Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP. 🔶 When: Wed. October 21, 8:00-10:00am 🟦 Where: Pierce Atwood, 254 Commerical Street, Merrill's Wharf, Portland 😎 REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/gQcd62rB Thank you to our host Pierce Atwood LLP and to our Leadership In Action Series Sponsors Bangor Savings Bank, Unum, and Mainebiz. Jan Kearce Julie Beane Yellow Light Breen Robb Atkinson, MBA, WCP®, CSPO® Pious Ali Luke Dyer Kristen Wells Kristen Card, EdD, DBA Mike Sealander, AIA Nelson Geel

What an opening retreat for MDF's Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) Haystack Class! These adventurous and inspirational leaders went all-in and on belay TOGETHER to tackle the intimidating rock climbing course, the sometimes confusing but always fun team-building activities, and the wilderness challenge exercises. #DIRIGO! Special thanks to the leader of leaders Jan Kearce and our partners in all things #Leadership Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. We walk with you every step of the way over the next several months of your ICL journey. And we LOVE the #joy this class emanates! Go Haystack Class: Jen Marie Belanger Maine Department of Education @Steve David Bijoga Hope Family Partners @Cherri Crockett @Oxford County Katherine Doughty Zachau Construction Inc. Amy Dowley Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife @Elizabeth Ellis @Katahdin Friends Inc. (KFI) @Greg Gilbert Mariah Healy Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine Dana Houghton @Kathadin Friends Inc. (KFI) Dan Simon L.L.Bean Aaron Huotari Town Of Fort Fairfield, Maine @Sarah Johnson MaineHousing Jaime Maresh, PMP athenahealth Danielle Scarmazzo Main Street Skowhegan Bertrand Mizero Ubuntu Health Samuel Nahimana @Dirigo Support Specialists Nyamuon Nguany-Machar Maine Association for New Americans - MANA Shana Pike MEMIC Erin Kinsella Piper Unum Jonathan Priest @Priest Insurance Frida Savage Central Maine Power Company Mariah Stember Maine Development Foundation Chloe Teboe Mitchell Institute UFITINEMA Adeline @Impactful Residential Care Meaghan Woodsome YMCA of Southern Maine

Congratulations to the 5 communities who won grants through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF), part of the SEAMaine (Seafood Economic Accelerator) program. The funds, totaling $1-m, will help improve public marine facilities, help strengthen Maine’s seafood sector, and provide greater resilience to climate-related shocks.  Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gafQzr9p MDF is proud to be a key partner in this program along with Maine Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), State of Maine Department of Marine Resources, and NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Thanks to all who joined us in Freeport - one of the grant receipient communities - for today's announcement and press conference. Special thanks to the Town of Freeport, Maine, Development Dir. Brett Richardson,Harbormasters @Charles Tetreau & @Greg Mears, and video masters Tom Pierce and @Harry Harris, and to MDF's Yellow Light Breen and Mariah Stember. Kudos for the heartfelt remarks and real-life testimonials from Togue Brawn and @Eric Oransky of Maine Ocean Farms about how these funds will help businesses, fishers, aquaculturists, and working waterfronts up and down the coast. #Dirigo And gratitude to our SEAMaine partners: Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Island Institute, Maine Coast Fishermen's Association, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Aquaculture Association and so many others. #blueeconomy #economicdevelopment #community #communitydevelopment #workingwaterfronts

A shoutout to the dedicated and passionate leaders from across the state who are participating in MDF's Leadership Maine Harraseeket Class. They kicked off their 9-month experience recently with a 3-day opening retreat at Kieve Wavus Education, Inc. camps, supporting each other through the ropes course, deep discussions, and adventures that help form bonds that will last a life time. We are on belay for you all and walk beside you throughout the coming months. #Dirigo! Special thanks to our partner in all things #leadership, Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, and to the businesses and organizations who send employees through the program. Special gratitude to participants' loved ones for managing family and other obligations so class members can immerse themselves in the experience. Go get 'em, Harraseeket Class: Emily Babineau Jennifer Boutin Jordan Buzzel Kevin Compher Nadia Crockett-Current Nathan DelGuidice Sarah Delmar Melissa Moffett Denbow James Doherty Tricia Duchesneau Nora Fagan Chris Gailey Cecil Gardner Jessica Giles Britt Gleixner-Hyat Stan Grunder Marty Hamre Rick Harbison, AICP Kristen Henry Genevieve Hering Katie Jones Janette Kirk Karl Lagasse Raynor Large Craig Lincoln Maureen Littlefield Noah L. James Mattila, CCUE Brandon McDonald Jenna Muzzy, MSIB, PMP Greg Norton Ariel Ricci Kristin Ryan Tushima Griffin-Sims Heather Smith Michelle Tupper Jake V. Jane Whitley Dee Williams Jonathan Wood Penny York Julie Beane Jan Kearce Andrew Spofford Yellow Light Breen #leadership #leadershipdevelopment

MDF is thrilled to partner with Spruce Mountain Adult Education, Robyn Raymond, PhD and so many other partners to launch this new CDL training and workforce development program! Thanks to all who came out to celebrate with us last week! #Dirigo Yellow Light Breen Rosie Vanadestine CEcD