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The Maine Woods Consortium seeks to stimulate and coordinate investment in projects that advance regional goals with respect to landscape resources, community revitalization, and economic development. Capital investment sought includes private equity, government and philanthropic funding.
Toward this end, MWC has put forward a white paper outlining investment rationale and strategies. We ahve also formed an advisory committee, identified a number of local and regional projects that are currently seeking funding, hired consulting help to devise criteria for selection of projects to be funded and also in establishing structure and process to attract, manage, and direct funding to worthy projects.
Note: At this point, MWC is using these projects to develop its capital investment system based on “real world” examples. We have not yet begun to look for funding. (Thank you for your patience! With your help we'll get there.)
What kinds of projects are we looking for?
Landscape
Projects that foster multiple, sustainable management and use of the region’s landscape resources (forests, lands, waters), including resource conservation and recreation development projects. We are especially interested in projects that facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative relationships between groups with ownership, community, environmental, and economic interests relating to landscape resources.
Example: The Upper Andro Anglers Alliance submitted a request for funding for gaining drift boat access to the
Androscoggin
River at existing access points, establishing new boat launches, and
for way finding signage.
Community
Projects that invest in large and small local communities that conserve cultural resources and/or develop the systems (civic organization, communications, transportation) that will make these communities competitive today and tomorrow.
Example: The Center Theatre for Performing Arts submitted a request for funds to purchase a small, vacant storefront next door to the theater to add additional seating capacity, perhaps open a bakery/coffee shop, and to bring another vacant storefront back to life in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.
Economy
Projects that links small scale enterprises into more effective systems in order to increase production efficiencies and to expand market reach. There is an opportunity for new or stronger production networks in tourism, wood product manufacturing, agriculture, and handcraft, among other asset-based sectors.
Example: The Maine Crafts Association has applied for funding for its new Center for Maine Craft which will increase the ability of
Maine Woods artisans to reach new markets.
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