Credit unions prepare County students for secure financial future
LIMESTONE — Recently, the Aroostook Chapter of Credit Unions presented its annual Financial Fitness Money Management Experience at the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone, and more than 450 students attended the event. This is one of the 30 fairs that Maine’s credit unions are holding this school year and it is the state’s largest.
Students from Caribou High School, Central Aroostook High School, Cornerstone Christian Academy, Fort Fairfield High School, Van Buren District Secondary School, Limestone Sr. High School, Washburn District High School and Loring Job Corps were among those who participated. The day, which can be compared to an interactive ‘game of life,’ builds awareness for youth education and for credit unions’ dedication to financial literacy in their communities.
The Financial Fitness Money Management Experience is a half-day event during where students check in and receive a scenario packet of their life at age 22. This year, Young & Free Maine Spokester, Mallory Lavoie, was on-hand to provide a perspective of what entering the “real world” after high school and college is really like.
Grants available for local development
BANGOR — Mark Scarano, the alternate federal co-chair of the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), announced that the next round of grant funds are now available for federal assistance and will begin accepting applications.
Eligible grant projects must develop the transportation, water, sewer, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure of the region; assist the region in obtaining job skills and employment related education, as well as entrepreneurship, technology and business development; provide basic health care and other public services for those areas that are severely economically distressed and underdeveloped; promote resource conservation, tourism, recreation, and preservation of open spaces in a manner consistent with economic development goals; and, to promote the development of renewable and alternative energy sources.
Scarano indicated that applications should be submitted to local economic development corporations, which will provide technical assistance to prospective grantees and ensure that applications are full and complete before forwarding them to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development for processing. After the ranking is completed, the Governors of the four states will certify to the Commission their priority projects.
Interested applicants from the area should contact Alain Ouellette of the Northern Maine Development Commission, 498-8736.
Bankers teach children healthy savings habits
HOULTON — Throughout April and May, bankers from Katahdin Trust will start children throughout northern and central Maine on the path to a positive financial future by participating in the annual Teach Children to Save Day, a nationwide event to teach children their financial ABC’s.
“Education and hands-on money experience are critical to ensuring a new wave of smart money managers,” said Katahdin Trust Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications Vicki Smith, who oversees the bank’s efforts in the program. “We want parents to know that saving is important and everyone can do it, even kids. Teach Children to Save Day starts children off on the right path to saving for their future and is an important service that we can provide in our community – to our friends, neighbors, and customers.”
Katahdin Trust employees are delighted to participate in conjunction with area teachers in helping children understand basic financial principles and the importance of a savings program, not just for today but for their futures.
Learn more at the Teach Children to Save website: www.teachchildrentosave.com.
