Category: News

Maine’s Connecting with Opportunities Initiative has been developed in response to the ongoing opioid crisis, which has severely impacted all areas of our state. The federal government estimates well over...

The communities of East Millinocket, Medway and Millinocket have collaborated on one of the  State of Maine’s first multi-jurisdictional comprehensive plans. Eastern Maine Development Corporation provided consulting services on the...

As the New Year unfolds, many are wondering what the future holds for Maine’s business community. President/CEO of Eastern Maine Development Corporation lee Umphrey said the general health of Maine’s...

BREWER, Maine (WABI) – Members of our community in recovery are working hard every single day to prove themselves in the wake of their past. Getting a job can be...

BREWER, Maine (WABI) – Active addiction is a crisis in our communities. But, from countless stories of destruction are remarkable stories of redemption. Now, a new grant is helping workforce...

A proposed $75 million ski resort overlooking Moosehead Lake could bring development and numerous visitors to Piscataquis County. And even though Maine already has a number of ski resorts, ski...

By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff A Knox County developer and Louisiana nonprofit are proposing to build a year-round resort with new ski lifts, a hotel, marina, condominiums and...

Friday, January 8th from 11:30-12:30 PM EST, was the 5th installment of Governor Mills Opioid Response Seminar Series and focused on Maine’s Connecting with Opportunities initiative funded by the US...

BANGOR – The Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) is helping those struggling with opioid use disorder get opportunities. “I’ve struggled on and off my whole life, and now with EMDC...

The Guilford company was recognized for ramping up its nasal swab production to meet testing needs during the pandemic. A century-old Maine company that has been named Inc. magazine’s 2020...

Presenting Inc.’s Company of the Year: A medical supplier in remote Maine executed a lightning-fast expansion to meet an historic challenge. The alarm sounded twice on Saturday, March 14. First...

GUILFORD, Maine (WABI) – Puritan Medical Products – based in Guilford – has been named Inc. Magazine’s 2020 Company of the Year for their efforts during the pandemic. The company...

Governor Mills and the Maine Dept. of Labor congratulate the company for their national recognition. AUGUSTA, Maine — Governor Janet Mills and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor Laura...

The third phase of federal CARES Act funding will go to qualified retail, tourism, hospitality, and other businesses as they prepare for upcoming challenges BANGOR, Maine — Even though we...

BANGOR — An iconic local building — which had been on the market for 15 years — has finally been sold. Norumbega Hall, which was previously owned by Eastern Maine Development...

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) -A large building in downtown Bangor has been purchased by a developer. Known as Norumbega Hall, the building at 40 Harlow Street houses the Zillman Art Museum,...

A Bangor property development company has purchased 40 Harlow St., a prominent downtown Bangor building better known as Norumbega Hall, from economic development nonprofit Eastern Maine Development Corporation. Canuck Investments,...

Peter Kealy spent eight of the past 10 Christmases behind bars in Massachusetts. This year, Kealy, 42, who goes by the nickname Pat, planned to mark the holiday at a...

  KATAHDIN REGION – Helping businesses navigate a global pandemic wasn’t what Katahdin Region Development Board (KRDB) Director Mike Elliot had in mind when he signed on to the job...

Maine has a challenge in keeping young people here in the state. But as owners and employers, we can do our part to keep them here, or get them to...

** If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use, there are local resources available. You can reach out to Ashley Pesek at Opiate Free Island Partnership by...

BANGOR — The second phase of funding from the Maine Economic Recovery Grant program is now available and being distributed to businesses and nonprofits. In partnership with the Maine Development...

EMDC provided technical assistance to 660 businesses and non-profits and distributed a total of $28.4M since Nov. 13 Phase 2 of funding from the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program is...

LEWISTON — A regional effort is underway to help support those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic. During a virtual session Tuesday, officials from Eastern Maine Development Corp....

Phase 2 of funding from the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program is being distributed. In partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), Eastern Maine Development Corporation...

“The goal is to connect people – who have been impacted personally or indirectly by the opioid crisis – with education, training and meaningful employment,” says EMDC’s Recovery and Re-Entry...

Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Community Concepts schedule virtual information session 1 p.m. Dec. 15 to share important details BANGOR AND LEWISTON — Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) and Community...

New Initiative to Help Workers in Lewiston and Auburn Displaced by COVID-19 Access Resources and Regain Employment Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Community ConceptsSchedule Virtual Information Session December 15th at...

Applications are Open December 4th from 9:00am-2:00pmTourism, Hospitality & Retail Recovery Grant ProgramUp to $20,000 each for eligible applicants About the Grant Created by Governor Janet T. Mills and Maine...

  KATAHDIN REGION – Since he began his job almost two years ago Katahdin Region Development Board (KRDB) Executive Director Mike Elliott has attended countless meetings, shaken hundreds of hands...

Through a partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), EMDC is distributing $19 million in COVID-19 relief to businesses and nonprofits in Eastern Maine. In their...

BANGOR — During the past few weeks, Eastern Maine Development Corporation officials delivered  $19 million to more than 430 businesses and nonprofit groups in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Waldo counties. It...

Maine’s Economic Recovery Grant Program, funded by the federal CARES Act, announced awards of up to $100,000 to businesses across the state Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Waldo Counties – Through...

BANGOR — Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) has received a 2020 Impact Award from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) for the state’s Connecting with Opportunities Initiative. EMDC partnered...

Eastern Maine Development Corp. has announced the addition of Kim Smith as a loan officer. Smith, who has 17 years of experience in the field, most recently served as branch manager...

Connecting with Opportunities Initiative only Project Recognized in New England; New Statewide Workshops to Promote Initiative Begin November 18th WASHINGTON, DC and BANGOR, ME – Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC)...

Instead of an in person auction, it will be broadcast live on their Facebook page. BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The Bangor Art Society’s annual art auction will look a little...

Anna Stockman, community planner, has joined Eastern Maine Development Corporation’s (EMDC) Community & Business Services Team. Stockman is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, and has a bachelors...

Eastern Maine Development Corporation’s (EMDC) lending program is getting a boost from a new loan officer with over 17 years of experience. EMDC is pleased to welcome Kim Smith, who...

USDA Rural Development is investing $295,520 in Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program funds in economic development organizations across Maine to provide training and technical assistance to rural small businesses. The funding...

This Story Map features projects awarded through NADO’s 2020 Aliceann Wohlbruck NADO Impact Awards and the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards. The Impact Awards program honors NADO members for their...

COVID-19 has upended our lives. We’ve been confronted by unpleasant realities and faced with unexpected challenges. In our communities, long-standing social problems have grown worse. Suicides are on the rise....

Best Practices in Resilience Planning to Support Economic Recovery Thursday, October 22, 2020 1:45pm to 3:00pm Many EDDs are currently in the process of spending their EDA CARES Act funding...

A new state program is opening doors to education, training and employment — giving greater stability and added purpose to life. By Lee Umphrey and Doug Dunbar Hope, optimism and...

Congratulations to the 2020 NADO Photo Contest winners and runners-up!  This year, nearly 120 images were submitted from members across the country that demonstrated what makes their regions great places to...

EMDC is providing individualized assistance to those applying for this funding. For help, contact either of the staff people below: Ryan Grindle, Regional Development Coordinator, EMDC: rgrindle@emdc.org • (207) 974-3247...

WASHINGTON — Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission in Saco is one of the organizations receiving funds that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by...

Lee Umphrey is president and CEO of Eastern Maine Development Corp. Doug Dunbar is EMDC’s recovery and re-entry workforce specialist. Hope and connections. Today, they’re needed more than ever, but...

About the Funding As a valued business or municipal partner of EMDC, we are alerting you to grant funding introduced by Governor Janet T. Mills and Maine DECD that provides...

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Development Corporation has been awarded $2.6 million in federal funding through a COVID-19 relief package as a Revolving Loan Fund. “It comes at a crucial time...

A person who has desperately needed hope knows like no other the power of visible recovery and the hope that is generated from knowing you’re not alone, there is a...

EMDC to host virtual Information session for interested businesses, nonprofits and partners 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 via Zoom  Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) has been awarded $2.6 million...

Mike Elliott says the Katahdin Region is on the verge of a growth explosion. But ask him what one thing is needed to spark the fuse, and he’s stuck. “I...

STATEWIDE — There’s a new alliance in the fight against opioid addiction. In 2018, opioid overdoses claimed the lives of 202 Mainers. That was a decrease of 158 from the...

Through financial support and guidance, eligible individuals will have access to education and training. A new statewide effort aims to provide hope and opportunities to people directly or indirectly impacted...

Kick-off information session to highlight the state’s new effort to provide financial support and guidance with education, training and securing meaningful employment BANGOR – The Central Western Maine Workforce Development...

Eastern Maine Development Corporation reimagines employment preparation for young people through innovative “Learn and Earn” opportunity during the pandemic  Through new and continued partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions and...

The Town of East Millinocket has announced that it has successfully negotiated and purchased the former Great Northern Paper Company mill site from Katahdin KI 50, LLC (a subsidiary of...

East Millinocket closed on a deal on Tuesday to purchase the former Great Northern Paper Co. LLC mill site, for generations the home of the town’s single largest employer, on...

A unanimous vote by the Central Western Maine Workforce Development Board (CWMWDB) will provide funding for Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) to offer workforce services to people and businesses in...

Eastern Maine Development Corp. of Bangor has been awarded $1.5 million to provide workforce development services for people and businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset counties.  The Central...

Bangor Daily News Award is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration’s CARES Act Recovery Assistance  BANGOR – Municipalities and businesses in Eastern Maine are getting a...

Piscataquis Observer WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the Eastern Maine Development Corporation has been awarded $400,000 to support the redevelopment and...

U.S. Senator Susan Collins & U.S. Senator Angus King Funding will support small businesses throughout eastern Maine that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan...

U.S. EDA WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $400,000 CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Eastern Maine Development Corporation, Bangor,...

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency A large oceanside aquaculture system, a church, and an international maritime training center are among the enterprises preparing to open at the site of a former...

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – The longest-running art society in the country held a safe and socially distant art exhibit in Bangor. The Juried Art Show is put on by the...

News Center Maine The “Connecting with Opportunities Initiative” will provide financial support and individualized support with education, training and finding meaningful employment BANGOR, Maine — Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC)...

Fox ABC Maine BANGOR – A new initiative is being developed to help people impacted by opioid use disorder. Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) of Bangor is launching an opioid...

Bangor Daily News BANGOR — Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC) President and CEO Lee Umphrey announces the launch of “Maine’s Connecting with Opportunities Initiative,” funded by a $6.2 million federal...

Townsquare Media Eastern Maine Development Corporation is offering a free workforce academy that hopes to train young Mainers in jobs that will keep them in the state. This is a...

FOX ABC Bangor BANGOR – Eastern Maine Development Corporation will be offering a seven-week academy for young Mainers looking for job opportunities. The “Young Mainer’s Workforce Academy” has been redesigned...

Puritan Medical Products says the plant could nearly double the company’s output and should be open by July 1. Portland Press Herald A new plant under development in Pittsfield could...

By Molly Mayo, BDN Community Author This year marks the 145th anniversary year of the Bangor Art Society. While many of the group’s art exhibits have changed since 1875, the...

By Charles Eichacker, BDN PITTSFIELD, Maine — Renovations and recruiting have now begun for the Somerset County expansion of a Guilford company that makes the nasal swabs that are critically...

Puritan Medical Products is hiring at their new location in Pittsfield, Maine. Join them in saving the world, one swab at a time. Click the job titles below to view...

Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday that she is convening a committee that will meet over the rest of 2020 to oversee the state’s recovery from...