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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 N OV E M B E R 2 7 , 2 0 2 3 2023 Rebel Blend Fund Recipients Agape, Inc. "Conversations in Compassion" Dyke March Maine TEMPOart, 2024 Installation The Yellow Tulip Project Four Directions Maine The Rebel Blend Fund is a vital way to support the Maine arts community through seed money. The 2023 fund recipients include: Supported for the 5th year by in support of the Wabanaki Artisan Fund Join MDF in congratulating our 2023 Champion Award recipients Their innovative and impactful approaches help drive economic improvement and improve lives Learn more at mdf.org 2 Beech Street, Suite 203 | Hallowell, ME | 207.622.6346 AWARDS Kenneth M. Curtis Award: (Leadership Maine Alum) Claudette Ndayininahaze, Allagash Class, Exec. Dir., In Her Presence Champion of Education & Workforce Development Award: Inclusion Maine and Founder, Muhammad Humza Khan Champion of Rural Economic Development Award: LP Building Products — Houlton and Ryan Bushey, Human Resources & Safety Mgr. ICL Distinguished Alum Award: Tony Payne, Beta Class, Senior VP, External Affairs, MEMIC President's Award: University of Maine System William F. King, Jr., Downtown Champion Award: Phyllis Young, Retired BOD Chair, Heart of Ellsworth Claudette Ndayininahaze Ryan Bushey Muhammad Humza Khan Tony Payne Phyllis Young B R I E F Saddleback Mountain adds much-needed affordable housing B y A l e x i s W e l l s A fter two years of fundraising and construction, Saddleback Mountain ski resort will open its affordable housing complex for employees on Nov. 17, just ahead of the winter ski season. The $10 million Saddleback House was designed to attract and retain staff who work on Saddleback Mountain during the winter. It will also help employees that work at local restaurants, retail shops and other local businesses. Staffing is one of Rangeley's most significant challenges to sustaining and growing businesses. Saddleback was acquired by the Arctaris Impact Fund in 2020. The Boston- based investment firm previously said that its goal was not only to upgrade and reopen the Rangeley ski resort but to do so in a way that helped solve the region's community and economic development challenges. Beds for 70 Saddleback House has private and shared dormitory-style housing and 43 rooms, which, depending on the configuration of room sharing, can house 60 to 70 people. There are laundry facilities on each floor and the shared kitchen will accommodate 30 people. The staff house follows federal affordable housing guidelines by charging no more than 30% of the employee's income. The housing complex will also offer ski-in and ski-out access that connects to the South Branch at the base of the mountain, along with a shared locker room for storing skis and equipment. According to published reports, Saddleback will open staff housing to employ- ees first. If additional rooms are available, they can be offered to employees at other businesses. Saddleback plans to have a shuttle from the lodge to downtown Rangeley. Located in the High Peaks and Lakes District of western Maine, Saddleback Mountain was founded in 1960. Just below the mountain is the village of Rangeley, which is the gateway to Rangeley, Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson lakes. At 4,120 feet of elevation and 2,000 feet of vertical, Saddleback is Maine's third-largest ski mountain, and its base lodge elevation of 2,460 feet is the highest in the East. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S A D D L E B A C K M O U N TA I N Saddleback House has private and shared dormitory-style housing and 43 rooms, and can house 60 to 70 people.