The Southern Aroostook region is leveling up its approach to growth and investment.
On Oct. 23 Johanna Johnston, executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation, graduated from the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute — the nation’s leading professional development program for economic development practitioners.
Johnston was also awarded the Derieth Sutton Legacy Scholarship for Economic Development, a competitive, merit-based scholarship that covered full tuition and materials for the fall 2025 session. Named in honor of Derieth Sutton, a nationally respected economic developer, educator and mentor, the scholarship recognizes professionals who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and dedication to advancing their communities through economic development.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive a scholarship named after someone who has inspired so many in this field,” Johnston said. “Derieth Sutton’s career reflects the blend of heart and strategy that successful economic development requires. I’m deeply grateful for this support and eager to apply what I’ve learned to strengthen Southern Aroostook’s economy.”
Investing in knowledge to grow the region
Over the past year, Johnston completed 117 credit hours of advanced coursework in real estate development and reuse, business retention and expansion, strategic planning, marketing and attraction, finance, ethics and entrepreneurship.
These topics have direct relevance to the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities like Southern Aroostook. As the region works to attract new business, expand housing, strengthen its workforce, and promote outdoor recreation and tourism, the insights gained from OU EDI provide fresh tools for planning, collaboration and sustainable growth.
“Economic development in rural areas demands creativity, persistence, and collaboration,” Johnston said. “This training gave me new strategies to help our towns grow thoughtfully — whether that’s preparing development sites, supporting entrepreneurs, or building partnerships that make new projects possible.”
The OU EDI curriculum emphasizes practical, research-based methods to help communities prepare for investment, strengthen business ecosystems and position themselves competitively. For Southern Aroostook, that means aligning best practices from across the country with local values and goals to build a resilient regional economy.
Empowering growth across the region
As executive director of SADC, Johnston leads initiatives that promote business development, tourism and investment throughout Southern Aroostook County. SADC partners with municipalities, businesses, and state and regional agencies to market the area, attract investment and enhance the local quality of life.
Johnston’s expanded training through OU EDI strengthens SADC’s ability to develop data-driven strategies, create stronger public-private partnerships, and guide long-term regional planning.
“In rural Maine, we don’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect conditions,” Johnston said. “We build momentum from the assets we already have — our people, our work ethic, and our natural beauty. OU EDI helped me see new ways to turn those strengths into lasting opportunity.”
Johnston serves as executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation, where she leads efforts to strengthen the regional economy through business attraction, workforce development, and tourism promotion. Since her appointment, she has launched initiatives that have increased private investment in SADC, expanded partnerships with schools and employers through the Future Professionals of Aroostook mentorship program and helped elevate the region’s visibility through projects like the Maine Eclipse 2024 festival and the award-winning documentary “A Moment in the Sun”.
A 2024 Aroostook Achiever for Civic Leadership, Johnston is also a U.S. Air Force veteran and holds a degree in business administration and marketing. She is the founder of Riversbend Paddle Co., a kayak rental business promoting outdoor recreation in Southern Aroostook, and an active member of the Houlton Rotary Club, where she serves as president-elect and is slated to become president in 2026.
The Derieth Sutton Legacy Scholarship honors Derieth Sutton, an accomplished economic developer and instructor with a distinguished career spanning public, nonprofit, and private-sector roles. She is both a Certified Economic Developer and a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional. The scholarship recognizes OU EDI participants who exemplify professional excellence, integrity, and a commitment to community progress.
The Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute is widely recognized as the nation’s premier training program for economic development professionals. Its comprehensive curriculum integrates real-world case studies, data analysis, and best practices to help practitioners design and implement strategies that drive local and regional growth.
The Southern Aroostook Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic growth and improving quality of life across Southern Aroostook County. Through collaboration with municipalities, businesses, and educational partners, SADC drives projects that support entrepreneurship, workforce readiness and regional marketing efforts.
Learn more at www.SADCaroostook.org or contact Johnston at johanna@sadcaroostook.org.
