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V O L . X X V I I N O. X V I I I A U G U S T 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 20 G R E AT E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E N orthern Maine's long term economic viability has always had a vulnerable side, with the ever-changing situation with logging and paper mills, but it took on new importance during the pandemic. at's why the Eastern Maine Development Corp.'s recently released 5-year plan has added mean- ing. EMDC defined the idea as "a vision and goals to support long- term economic prosperity across Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Waldo counties." e region was hard-hit by the pandemic, with what had been steady employment hitting the rocks. At the same time, the four counties have dealt with a steadily declining popula- tion. e aging population, combined with declining labor force participa- tion, is expected to continue to trend downward in coming years, according to the five-year plan. e four counties — Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo — rep- resent 262,750 people, which is 20% of the state's population. Maine is already considered an old state, with a median age of 44.7 years old, but the four counties' median is 47.1. e unemploy- ment rate is also higher, at 5.8%, versus 4.7% for the state. e average annual wage is lower, at $43,291, compared to $48,115 statewide. Yet there is room for optimism. "e aging population was a key consideration, but not a driving fac- tor in determining the project's need. is is a region of great resiliency and recovery as demonstrated by the collective efforts at the former paper mill sites in Bucksport, Lincoln, East Millinocket and Millinocket," says Lee Umphrey, president and CEO of the Eastern Maine Development Corp., which is based in Bangor. "Also, because EMDC administers workforce development programs in nine counties, worker availability and readiness is always on — always kept warm on the stove top. By working with adult education programs, vocational schools, community colleges, private col- leges and universities we keep the pipe- line adaptable to meet the needs of busi- nesses seeking workers. ere are many challenges but by working together we find solutions," he adds. Earlier this month, Eastern Maine Development Corp. received $350,000 to provide technical assistance for climate resiliency planning, growth strategies for second stage businesses and access to capital. e funding came through the Northern Border Regional Commission grant program. Umphrey cites the importance of having a game plan for the region, and says there are already two major assets with a major upside, a Moosehead ski area in development and a business park with substantial capacity. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F E A S T E R N M A I N E D E V E L O P M E N T C O R P. Northern Maine HEATS UP New efforts highlight a forward-looking economic development plan B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n F O C U S Three months of public meetings, research and planning contributed to the creation of a 5-year plan, which serves as a roadmap for regional economic development. S O U R C E : U.S. Census, EMDC HANCOCK, PENOBSCOT, PISCATAQUIS, WALDO DATA HEADLINE Lee Umphrey, right, president and CEO of the Eastern Maine Development Corp., has been a driving force in economic development in northern and eastern Maine. He's pictured here with Peter Jamieson, who was named Katahdin Region economic development director in the spring. 262,750 20% of Maine's total population Four counties: 47.1 FOUR COUNTIES POPULATION: MEDIAN AGE: UNEMPLOYMENT RATE: AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE: Maine: 44.7 Maine Maine Four counties Four counties 4.7% $48,115 5.8% $43,291

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