By Tiffany Williams –
Governor Janet Mills made her latest stop in northern Maine, visiting Presque Isle and Houlton to check in with local business and community leaders about economic development, workforce growth, and revitalization efforts.
At Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, Mills joined the Aroostook Partnership board, a mix of businesses, nonprofits, educators, and government leaders focused on boosting the county’s economy and attracting talent.
“It’s been great to travel through Aroostook County, talking with store clerks, business owners, local leaders, educators, and community members,” Mills said. “The County is a place that cherishes its past and welcomes its future. Family, hard work, community, and the outdoors are values here. I’m proud to have helped expand broadband, support hospitals and schools, and back workforce initiatives that move this region forward.”
Kiersten S. Purington, president of the Aroostook Partnership, said the Governor’s visit highlighted the county’s efforts to bring in new residents and connect them with opportunities.
Mills then moved on to downtown Houlton, meeting at the Houlton Co-Op with Town Manager Cameron Clark, community leader Fred Grant, and members of the Houlton Gateway Ambassadors, a volunteer group promoting the region as a great place to live and work.
The visits follow Thursday’s ribbon-cutting in Caribou for Amazon’s first Maine delivery warehouse, which Mills said will improve shipping and create new jobs across northern Maine. She also toured the Saint John Valley meeting with local leaders, farmers, and businesses.
These stops are part of Mills’ ongoing statewide outreach. Earlier this week, she attended the groundbreaking for a $135 million expansion at global medical products company Mölnlycke in Brunswick. Last week she visited communities in Waldo, Cumberland, Piscataquis, and Penobscot counties, including Waterville, Gardiner, Bangor, Sanford, and Arundel.
Mills’ travels aim to spotlight rural economic growth, support workforce initiatives, and connect state leaders with the communities they serve.