Dionne presented the board’s purpose, which is to steer SADC in the right direction to benefit southern Aroostook County. This is a privately-funded enterprise through donations from individuals and business and also a stipend from the town of Houlton.
There are 18 members on the board of directors and two ex-officio community offices which are Community Development and the Chamber of Commerce. The mission of the board is to promote economic development throughout the area.
Dionne presented a powerpoint showing the process of economic development that turns out to not be just about brick and mortar but involves promoting jobs in the area as well as entrepreneurism. Maintaining an economically progressive community is essential.
He laid out the different tasks of the involved parties. The Chamber of Commerce makes things happen both economically and within the community. The office of Community Development is responsible for grant writing to solicit funds for business and non-profits to enable success. SADC is economically driven. Dionne called this a three-legged stool. To stand and succeed, all three are important.
Four things that Houlton has going for it are an excellent network of communication systems, the least expensive electric rates in the state, a workforce with excellent work ethics and a proactive community.
Some projects now being worked on are adding business seminars for exiting businesses such as Quick Books instruction and help to create business plans. Lending a hand to existing businesses from professional is another project. A town economic development action plan is in the making. Also there is a study going on about the long term use of the Visitors Center and its surrounding property.
Other new ideas concern value added products using local forest lumber, dairy products using local organic dairy farms and an organic meat industry.
