Washington
County: One Community
Economic Development
Focus Team
The mission of the Economic Development focus area is to grow the
economy from the bottom up, working with local values, in a
way that is sustainable. Washington County residents need
to make money locally and spend that money locally,
encouraging businesses to start and helping them to
succeed. The first task of this committee is to educate the
public about the purposes and impacts of buying locally.
The Economic
Team seeks to promote sustainable economic growth through
community building, sustainable development weighs community
values, quality of life issues and the environment alongside
economic considerations. A sustainable economy seeks to fill
local needs.
Our Think Local
First (TLF) campaign seeks to promote relationships between
local farms, businesses, schools, families and
organizations; and thereby increase awareness of what local
products are available.
Members
Inez Lombardo
Jennifer Peters
Co-Chairs
Harold Clossey
Keith Small
Rick Tanney
Kevin Athearn
Dodie Emerson
Eleody Libby
Marty Anderson
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Think Local First
TLF School Fund Raisers connects Washington county producers with
local schools to raise much needed funds for playgrounds, sports
teams, class trips,etc. This kind of linkage not only raises money
for school projects it creates new markets and increases sales for
our local business. Additionally this project creates a greater
student involvement in and knowledge of their home community.
During the 2007 holiday season 11 Lubec students raised $498.40 for
their enrichment fund. The children were very excited about this
project and look forward to doing it in the spring.
Five area businesses took part. They include Bella Terra and Roy Toy
(East Machias), Monica's Chocolates and Quoddy Mist Sea Salt (Lubec)
and Raye's Mustard (Eastport).
We will be expanding this project to other interested schools in
2009. Interested businesses and schools should contact Inez Lombardo
(Inez.lombardo@maine.edu).
Farm 2 School Project
Another TLF initiative will link local farmers with local schools.
Last year's pilot linked Elm Street & Lubec schools with Tide Mill
Farm, Rooberry and Cold Spring farms.
Our objective is to not only increase farmer market share but to
educate and excite kids about eating fresh healthy foods. To learn
more about how these objectives may benefit our communities a
workshop was held last October at the Elm Street School. A delicious
harvest lunch was served.
UMM economic professor, Kevin Athearn spoke of the economic benefits
to eating more local food. His analysis of seven area schools
indicate that if those schools purchased 50% of their food from
Washington County farmers there would be $56,000 of value added to
the local economy. In addition if only 10% of all Washington County
grocery purchases were spent on food from local sources $3.5 million
would be infused into the local economy and create approximately 70
new jobs.
Contact:
Inez.lombardo@maine.edu
Leakage Analysis
A study of where Washington County dollars
are spent. Where might we plug those leaks? Contact
Inez Lombardo
of the Economic Development Focus Team for more information.
Community Kitchen
The formation
of a shared use community kitchen in Machias. For more
information contact
Inez Lombardo.
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Minutes
The most recent
minutes contain the agenda for the next meeting.
Meeting dates available
here.
March 11, 2008
January 15, 2008
December 11, 2007
October 22, 2007
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