Northern Maine Development Commission has been awarded a $360,210 Catalyst-United States Department of Agriculture Partnership grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission in support of Aroostook Rising, an economic development initiative of Aroostook Partnership.
Aroostook Rising is designed to strengthen Aroostook County’s economy by attracting investment, growing businesses, and building a more resilient regional workforce. The partnership program supports transformative economic development projects in underserved communities across the northern border region.
“This investment represents much more than grant funding—it is an investment in the future of Aroostook County,” said Kiersten S. Purington, president and CEO of Aroostook Partnership. “Aroostook Rising is a bold, county-wide effort to attract and retain the skilled tradespeople, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and professionals across high-demand industries that are critical to our regional economy.
“By bringing together employers, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and regional partners around a shared vision, we are creating a coordinated approach to talent attraction and retention that will strengthen our economy for years to come. The future of rural communities will be shaped by those willing to invest in people, and Aroostook Rising is our commitment to doing exactly that. We are deeply grateful to the Northern Border Regional Commission and Governor Mills for their partnership and confidence in this work.”
Led by the Aroostook Partnership, Aroostook Rising is a transformational, countywide initiative focused on reversing population decline and strengthening Aroostook County’s workforce by attracting and retaining skilled tradespeople, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and professionals across high-demand industries critical to the region’s economy.
The initiative combines targeted regional marketing with a coordinated newcomer support network that connects new residents to employment opportunities, housing and childcare resources, and community ambassadors who help them build lasting connections.
By bringing together employers, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and regional partners, Aroostook Rising creates a unified approach to talent attraction that supports business growth, population stabilization, and long-term economic prosperity throughout Aroostook County.
“We are honored to receive this award and proud to play a role in advancing the Aroostook Rising initiative. NMDC has long been committed to creating economic opportunity across The County, and this funding will help us move critical projects forward on behalf of our region’s businesses, communities, and residents,” said Robert Clark, executive director of Northern Maine Development Commission.
The grant was awarded through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s spring 2026 catalyst program funding round. The development commission will work in close coordination with Aroostook Partnership to implement the initiative.
