Rural communities face a common suite of challenges, from inadequate internet service to dwindling school populations and workforce training.

The Center helped KBS address the major challenge of improving technology and overcoming the lack of available skilled workers, by covering almost half of the cost of initial employee training in lean manufacturing.

In 2018-19, with grants from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and the Maine Community Foundation, the Center improved public internet access in 11 libraries serving the Maine West area.

The Community Destination Academy (CDA) held in the Bethel/Mahoosuc area in Maine helped community leaders understand emerging travel trends, enhance the area’s destination appeal, and capitalize on related economic opportunities.

We teamed up with the Trust for Public Land to help Mahoosuc Pathways and residents of Bethel, Maine, create a 978-acre Community Forest.

The Center and its partners in the Maine West coalition provided mobile hotspots to help students in Oxford Hills, Bethel, Rumford and the River Valley connect to online learning services.

Members of the Maine West initiative are using a new regional mapping tool to help prioritize community conservation projects with strong ties to other important community interests.

The Center helped Statton Lumber create efficiency and increase production through funding for a lean manufacturing expert to improve the workflow throughout the sawmill’s log yard.

The Center brought the Community Destination Academy  (CDA) to the Rangeley Lakes region in Maine to help community leaders understand emerging trends, enhance destination appeal, and capitalize on economic opportunities.

Support from the Center is helping Lakeshore House improve worker productivity, energy efficiency and customer satisfaction.