Maine Development Foundation visits area
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — A group of about 40 individuals with the Maine Development Foundation toured Aroostook County recently as part of a three-day economic study of the area as part of a “Leadership Maine” experience.
Jan Kearce of the Maine Development Foundation said Oct. 19 that the purpose of the visit was to learn what Aroostook County can offer businesses outside of the area.
“Leadership Maine is a program designed to bring people together from across the state,” Kearce said. “We want to help introduce people to other areas of the state and what drives the economy. What’s good, what’s not so good and who are the leaders in the area making innovation happen, that is our goal.”
According to the group’s website, the Maine Development Foundation is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that drives sustainable, long-term economic growth for the state. Its strategic focus is a productive workforce.
MDF stimulates new ideas, develops leaders, and provides common ground for solving problems and advancing issues by empowering leaders; strengthening communities; and guiding public policy with trusted economic research.
“Our program is essentially all about helping people understand what is happening and helping them make a greater impact in their jobs,” Kearce said.
The group met with the Region Two School of Applied Technology program at Southern Aroostook Community School and David Keaton, director of Region 2 Career and Technical Education Center in Houlton before coming to Houlton.
In the Shiretown, the group had lunch at the Vault Restaurant, featuring a meal made with locally grown produce and heard a presentation from Kathryn Harnish, restaurateur and owner of Took a Leap Farm; Sara Williams Flewelling, co-owner of Aurora Mills Farm; and Jane Torres, executive director for the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
“Every year, the Maine Development Foundation sponsors a leadership institute taking people from different businesses and creating opportunities for them to get to know different parts of the state,” said Torres. “We were thrilled when they contacted us and said they were coming to Aroostook County.”
Following lunch, the group met with Brian Williams, tribal administrator of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; toured Bigrock Ski Mountain in Mars Hill; and held a Presque Isle area meeting with officials from MMG Insurance; Aroostook Partnership; Aroostook County Action Program; Huber Engineered Woods LLC in Easton; and Smith Farm in Westfield. The northern tour also featured stops in Millinocket.
