Explore Your Career Possibilities in Downeast Maine
30 Years of Building a Brighter Future for Washington County, Maine
Sunrise County Economic Council initiates and facilitates 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.
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.
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.
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.
- Prospective students – Apply Now!
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.
Building a brighter future
Number of families that have participated in Family Futures Downeast. 83% of parents feel more hopeful about their children's futures.
Number of households across 21 communities that SCEC supported to bring fiber broadband connectivity.
Number of individuals reached by MSBB's accredited Entrepreneurship Pathways program in 2023, for college credit or career advancement.
Number of scholarships approved by SCEC in 2023, totaling $7,709 to help pay for workforce training and advancement, primarily in healthcare.
Events & Opportunities at SCEC
Exciting Things are Happening on Main Street
The MaineStreet Business Building in Downtown Machias is a hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Downeast Maine. From networking and business plan support to 24/7 shared and private office space, it’s all happening at 19 Main Street.
SCEC News
Community Partners Gather to Envision Bounce-Forward Resilience
On September 13, 60 Washington and Hancock County community members across 43 partners, including business leaders, nonprofits, foundations, and municipal organizations, gathered for Community Pathways & Practices for Bounce-Forward Resilience,...
Jonesport and Beals Local Economy Project Publishes Report
Like many small, rural communities in Maine, the communities of Jonesport and Beals are in need of accurate local-level data and information to help guide local decision-making. However, many widely used data sources are either inaccurate or...
Preparing the Future Workforce in Maine’s Forest Products Sector
First-ever Accredited Course for Forest Products Sector Careers is Back for Fall 2024 Machias, ME - The Business of Maine’s Forest Products Sector course is back and will begin again on October 1 with a free 10-week asynchronous course and workshop...
PARTNERSHIPS
SCEC partners with organizations, businesses, municipalities and citizens to launch, support, and promote programs and initiatives in Washington County.