Partnership board mulls direction for the future
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP) board of directors spent a good portion of its most recent meeting taking a look at the big picture of the organization and how to better chart a course for the future.
APP CEO and President Bob Dorsey said he wanted to have the discussion to gain input on how the members viewed the more than 10-year-old economic development organization.
“The unanimous consensus is, there is value in APP,” said Larry Shaw, president of MMG Insurance, an original investor in the Partnership. “Our thought process should be about the diversity of membership.”
Currently APP has more than 25 investors, which contribute anywhere from $2,500 to $25,000 annually.
“Joining the Partnership is an investment versus a donation,” said Shaw. “The purpose is to ensure the sustainability of The County. You are investing in Aroostook County when you write a check here.”
However, more than one board member stressed APP is not just about finances.
“This is not just about writing checks, we need input of all the investors,” stressed Cheri Doak of Key Bank.
Bob Clark, Executive Director of Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), which represents the public sector in the Partnership, said the organization needs time, talent and treasury to grow the economy of Aroostook County.
Chris Anderson, president of F.A. Peabody Company, another longtime investor, suggested APP also work to educate businesses and the public on how the organization is making a difference in areas such as growing the workforce and enhancing the forest and agricultural economies. Anderson also suggested adding a tagline to the organization’s logo, “Driving Aroostook’s Economy, Together.”
“I was very pleased with the engagement, ideas and intensity of the dialogue,” said Dorsey. “It was encouraging to see how much the Partnership means to these County business leaders and how much desire they have to keep APP growing.”
Dorsey added four common themes emerged from the discussion: 1) Greater interest in economic development collaboration and a more inclusive effort — Economic Development Cluster; 2) Growing APP membership effort and greater interest on part of smaller businesses to join APP effort; 3) Board design that includes private sector diversification (large, medium and small); and 4) Idea of an economic development summit.
“I envision the Executive Committee of APP will get together again to discuss next steps,” said Dorsey. “Perhaps the discussion could be centered on four areas: message, structure, events and actions.”
Nearly 20 businesses and organizations were represented at the meeting, held recently in Presque Isle.
The Aroostook Partnership for Progress is a public-private partnership dedicated to aggressive and effective results-oriented economic development actions that leverage the financial commitments and talents of the private sector in close partnership with the public sector.
More information about APP and a listing of investors can be found at www.appme.org.
