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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X X I I I O C T O B E R 1 7 , 2 0 2 2 20 M I D C O A S T / D O W N E A S T F O C U S In the same period, JAX filled about 370 positions. Where do they live? Some work remotely. Two-thirds of JAX's total Bar Harbor work- force commutes from beyond Mount Desert Island – 67 ZIP codes in 14 of Maine's 16 counties. Elsewhere in Bar Harbor, the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has similar challenges. "e lack of affordable housing options in Hancock County makes recruiting and retaining employees, stu- dents and faculty a real challenge," says spokesperson Jeri Bowers. "Over the last year we have lost three outstanding candidates due to the lack of afford- able housing within 50 miles of Mount Desert Island. It is having a significant impact on our ability to expand our research programs." e lab is working with MDI col- leagues and state and federal agencies to try and develop immediate and longer- term solutions, while also evaluating potential internal solutions, she adds. Waiting list At JAX, the new rental complex was oversubscribed. "We have a waiting list of over 25 for the one-bedroom units," says Longley. e $10 million complex – with two buildings of 12 units each, outdoor com- munity space, a shared storage building, and tenant parking – were constructed following sustainable LEED, Passive House and Sustainable SITES prin- ciples. Contractors included Wright- Ryan Construction, Ryan Senatore Architecture and Woodard & Curran. To determine rental rates, JAX worked with an internal housing advisory committee and consultants at Coastal Enterprises Inc. and the Mount » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Purchase a group subscription for your team or entire organization. Get access to Mainebiz for your entire team EMAIL CIRCULATION@MAINEBIZ.BIZ FOR MORE INFORMATION C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 2 2 » More housing Acadia National Park Acadia National Park is eyeing development of 55 acres for affordable year-round and seasonal workforce housing on Bar Harbor's outskirts. Legislation is pending in the U.S. Senate to authorize a land transfer to the town of Bar Harbor to use the property for workforce housing and allow the National Park Service to retain up to 15 acres for housing and administrative purposes. Park housing would be for rent to park-related personnel. Further plans depend on the Congressional authorization. Typically, Acadia hires about 150 seasonal employees. But lack of affordable housing is a significant factor chal- lenging the park's ability to fill the roles, park officials have said. College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic has various housing initiatives. In 2019, it bought nearby 111 Eden St. with six condos for $2.2 million, with space for five students each and one unit typically reserved for visitors/guests. In 2021, COA bought nine Bar Harbor properties with 31 bedrooms and room for nearly 40 students, for $4.5 million. It recently opened Mount Desert Center in neighboring Northeast Harbor, with three apartments fully occupied by students and visiting faculty. COA broke ground this year on a new student residence, with nearly 50 beds by fall 2023. A student group is working with economics professor Davis Taylor to develop a housing cooperative – first, incor- porating as a nonprofit, raising money, and locating a prop- erty to buy. COA is considering ways to alleviate housing pressures for new staff and faculty members. Project completions will provide housing for approxi- mately two-thirds of the 350 full-time undergraduate enroll- ment, considered a sustainable number. COA's $57 million capital campaign earmarked $8 million for housing. Island Housing Trust Island Housing Trust in Bar Harbor has a 10-unit affordable housing development underway on Bar Harbor's outskirts. It's expected four single-family homes and a duplex will be ready by the end of the year. IHT worked with Showcase Homes in Brewer on design. The trust promotes permanent workforce housing on Mount Desert Island. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F Y O I C H I RO A S H I DA , C O A College of the Atlantic purchased six condominium units at 111 Eden St. in Bar Harbor for $2.2 million to serve as much-needed student rentals

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