CARIBOU — Officials with the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) continue to work toward a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for Aroostook and Washington counties and is being assisted by a $60,000 grant, awarded last month, from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The funding will be used to establish an economic development planning framework, process and strategy that supports private capital investment and job creation.
The CEDS project brings together public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.
The Mobilize Northern Maine asset based strategic planning initiative is the process from which the CEDS is being developed using six pillars as a foundation. They are asset based cluster development, entrepreneurship and innovation, education and workforce development, access to capital, infrastructure and environment and leadership.
