2001 Annual Report Executive Summary
Aroostook County EZ
Despite a
lack of federal funding for the program, the Aroostook County Empowerment Zone (ACEZ)
made significant progress during its first year. It built its infrastructure by
developing the governing body (the Northern Maine Empowerment Council), creating
bylaws, making revisions to its benchmarks, and signing MOAs and cooperative
agreements with Rural Development and the state of Maine. Rural Development
set-aside funds were awarded to the region in excess of $1.7 million dollars in
programs related to job creation and retention, natural resources, and
healthcare. Significant outreach efforts were implemented to educate community
members, including tax incentive workshops that have enabled a number of
businesses to take advantage of federal tax breaks. In addition, a web site was
developed to aid in the outreach efforts ( http://www.aroostookez.org
). A Rural Empowerment Summit was organized to mobilize community members, and
collaborative efforts took root in sectors including health care, education,
economic development, and natural resources. New partnerships were forged in
healthcare, education, and business; and existing partnerships were
strengthened.
Aroostook County EZ Summary Page Aroostook County EZ Funding Page