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CEDS goal: By focusing on six asset-based industry clusters the region will realize 1,000 new jobs by 2023; and total employment of 54,290. By 2023 the region will improve the overall business acumen and increase business starts to more than 100 per year.

Reversing systemic population decline: “The most critical issue facing Aroostook and Washington counties is the systemic population decline.  Fundamentally, the retention and attraction of people is the core factor for future viability of Aroostook and Washington counties. Extreme economic, community and personal pressures are now being felt as a smaller population is carrying the full cost of critical public services and workforce demand. Therefore, the challenge is clear. We must reverse this long-term trend of our children leaving us for work elsewhere by promoting the good-paying jobs that do exist, while at the same time creating new jobs and opportunity in our regional economy.”

SCENARIO
Between 2016 and 2021, employment dropped by 3,000, and is projected to drop another 1,200 by the end of 2023. This is primarily the result of workers aged 55-59 retiring early and newly graduated students moving to other areas to pursue college or a career. This reduction in the labor force is especially difficult for local businesses that have lost employees, often with decades of experience, in industries where it has proven difficult to attract younger workers. Also, access to hiring migrant workers continues to be constrained. Jobs in agriculture remain unfilled for longer and longer periods, resulting in loss of crops due to not being harvested or to fields that were not planted. The labor shortage continues to impact tourism and seafood industries, and even generous hiring bonuses and higher wages fail to attract enough workers to fill vacancies.

New entrepreneur programs have had some success. According to an August 2023 survey conducted by a statewide entrepreneurial organization, more than three quarters of the recipients of grants for additional training are planning to stay in the area.

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Memo - Adpative Planning Session 1 Key Findings - NMDC

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Memo - Stakeholder and Business Survey - NMDC Resiliency Strategy

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Scenario 1: Natural Resources

Scenario 2: Connectivity & Digital Transformation

Scenario 3: Changing Workforce

Scenario 4: Energy Evolution

Scenario 5: Manufacturing & Supply Chain

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companies currently doing business in the region would direct new investment to facilities in other parts of the country do to workforce concerns

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Workforce shortages in the health industry impact overall safety for living here or moving/retiring here. Lost local health services and extensive travel for healthcare add to existing health disparities in the region.

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continued workforce constraints will encourage profitable businesses to invest in automation, reducing the future demand for workers but preserving tax base and services

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take actions to reduce the cost of housing, childcare, energy, and healthcare in the region

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Welcome baby, welcome new resident, welcome to adulthood, welcome to the workforce, welcome to retirement. Create initiatives that welcome people at specific transition stages, connect them to resources and opportunities that support life transitions, and help people thrive across the lifespan.

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invest in the health of the existing workforce to preserve and potentially increase future productivity

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Towns become too small to manage services and unincorporate, larger UT, managed by the state, less services and loss of population

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Stop using the term "people from away"

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Help them to see themselves as a part of the future right here.

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People relocating because of climate change or because of the pandemic will continue to influence population and workforce trends.

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Smaller schools are forced to close, and the negative economic impact on the towns continues a downward cycle.

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Workforce will not come without access to good broadband.

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Utilize similar strategies for increasing emphasis on natural resource based industries as used for STEM.

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Utilize similar strategies for increasing emphasis on natural resource based industries as used for STEM.

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Also make it less challenging to stay and thrive.

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Lost business revenue and business closures put pressure on the financial safety net and social assistance programs.

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Implement comprehensive mentoring program (e.g. cooperative education, internships, etc.) in high schools and colleges.

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Implement comprehensive mentoring program (e.g. cooperative education, internships, etc.) in high schools and colleges.

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Creating a culture where people are simply kind is important. Needs cultivation.

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Any success in any of these scenarios is going to require greater resiliency among local people.

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Any success in any of these scenarios is going to require greater resiliency among local people.

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Businesses would streamline hours and service.

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Businesses would streamline hours and service.