New! Explore the Washington County Housing Dashboard
This dashboard brings together data on short-term rentals, latent housing parcels, dilapidated properties, and community infrastructure across nine focus communities to help residents, municipal officials, planners, and developers understand the scope of the challenge and identify opportunity.
Building a Brighter Future for Washington County, Maine since 1993.
SCEC’s mission is to initiate and facilitate the creation of jobs and prosperity in Washington County, Maine, by working with a consortium of community-minded businesses, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities and citizens.
SCEC Happenings
New Tools to Understand Washington County’s Housing Crisis
The Housing Affordability Snapshots give a community-level read on affordability. Each one shows the median home price, the income a household would need to afford it, and how many residents can realistically buy at that price.A median‑priced home in Machiasport now...
How Maine APEX Helps Downeast Businesses Break Into Federal Contracting
When a small business in Washington County wants to pursue a federal contract, the first hurdle is usually not the work itself. It's the paperwork. Government contracting comes with its own language, forms, registrations, certifications, and systems to navigate, and...
Sunrise County Economic Council to Host Washington County Housing Summit on May 21
Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) will convene regional leaders, housing experts, and community partners on May 21 for the Washington County Housing Summit: Strategies to Solutions, a full-day event focused on addressing the county’s most urgent housing challenges.
Building STEM Pathways in Washington County: From Classroom to Career
Featured contributors: Jason Judd, Executive Director, Educate Maine ; Melissa Mitchell, Principal, Shead High School, James Roberts, Director, Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology; Deven Thapaliya, Maine Service Fellow  In rural Washington County, the...
Upper Machias Bay Master Plan to Present Recommendations for Public Feedback
The Town of Machias and Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) invite all community members to a public meeting on Monday, February 23, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Lee Pellon Center, 90 Main Street, Machias, to provide feedback on draft recommendations for the four...
Maine’s BEAD Final Proposal Approved
Maine’s BEAD Final Proposal to connect 22,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Building a brighter future
Number of Washington County families enrolled in FFD in 2025. Parents worked on education goals, employment pathways and small business ownership plans.
Approximate number of homes that gained access to fiber connectivity in 2025 through multiple public-private partnerships.
Hours of no-cost 1:1 business advising provided to 90+ small businesses/entrepreneurs in 2025.
Total amount of loans and grants awarded to businesses in 2025, resulting in eight jobs retained and nine jobs created.
A Year of Progress: 2025 Annual Report
The past year marked a period of challenge and progress for our county and Sunrise County Economic Council.
Our focus remains on creating jobs and prosperity in Washington County. Amid the budget crisis and shifting policy and economic conditions, we worked to strengthen small businesses, support aspiring entrepreneurs, help parents reach their career and economic goals, promote the region, and assist towns and cities to secure the funds they need to improve the infrastructure we all rely on.
We also partnered with citizen initiatives and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to restore critical natural resources, invest in the next generation, and help preserve the heritage of our shared home. We invite you to take a look at our 2025 report to learn more about our work.
Explore Private Offices and No-Cost Business Assistance
“[MaineStreet Business Building] has so much to offer—not only as a resource for new ideas but also as a great place to meet with customers in a professional setting. During my time there, I was able to develop a complete marketing plan along with detailed business strategies.”
– MaineStreet Business Building Member
SCEC Focus AreasÂ
Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Resilient Communities
SCEC helps Washington county towns to plan for the future, secure federal funds, and build the public infrastructure our future depends on.
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Natural Resource Economies
Through the Sustainable Prosperity Initiative, we work with communities to strengthen the natural resources economy.
SCEC is a partner in Downeast Fisheries Partnership, which works to collaboratively to grow the fisheries economy.
Natural Resource Economies
Through the Sustainable Prosperity Initiative, we work with communities to strengthen the natural resources economy.
SCEC is a partner in Downeast Fisheries Partnership, which works to collaboratively to grow the fisheries economy.
Heritage Promotion & Preservation
SCEC coordinates the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area program and supports the sustainable tourism initiatives of DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism – programs which strengthen community by connecting people with place.
A Growing Workforce
Through funding and free workforce trainings, SCEC works to strengthen the workforce.Â
Students & Families
SCEC is a partner in Family Futures Downeast, which helps parents enroll in college.
- Learn about the 2-Gen approach, including high quality early education for children.
- Interested in FFD? Have a referral? Let us know.
Heritage Promotion & Preservation
SCEC coordinates the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area program and supports the sustainable tourism initiatives of DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism – programs which strengthen community by connecting people with place.
PARTNERSHIPS
SCEC partners with organizations, businesses, municipalities and citizens to launch, support, and promote programs and initiatives in Washington County.