BANGOR – The Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services has granted $150,000 in funding to support Penquis’ Maine Highlands Economic Development Initiative. This is one of 10 grants awarded nationally for OCS’ Community Economic Development Planning Projects.
The OCS funding intends to stimulate new community economic development projects in persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies. For the Maine Highlands Economic Development Initiative, Penquis will lead a collaborative effort to plan and design a sustainable business project that will create jobs for individuals from rural communities in the Maine Highlands Region, which includes Penobscot and Piscataquis counties. The closure of paper mills and historic decline in manufacturing have severely impacted the Maine Highlands region and negatively affected employment opportunities. Through this initiative, stakeholders will work together to develop a plan for a business that will create full-time, year-round permanent jobs.
Sustainable business development is important to help reduce unemployment and poverty rates. In both Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, these rates are higher than the state averages.
“While Penobscot and Piscataquis counties face significant challenges, they also have numerous strengths,” says Penquis Housing and Energy Services Director Jennifer Giosia. “We are looking forward to help address the issues that are affecting economic growth in the area and developing more opportunities for permanent jobs.”
Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to assist individuals and families in improving their financial stability. Penquis programs and services focus efforts in four key areas: housing stability, access to transportation, school readiness, and healthy lives. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis affects all of Maine’s 16 counties, but primarily individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Knox counties. Up to 5,000 people are served on any given day and more than 30,000 each year.
