Support Our Mission
With your help, the future looks bright for Washington County.
As we approach the end of 2024, we want to express gratitude for the community members, businesses and organizations that make Washington County, Maine, a very special place to live and work.
We know that when you consider how to get involved and give back to your community, it can be overwhelming to decide where your dollars can be most effective. By giving to SCEC, you are making the most of your contribution by supporting partnerships with local businesses, non-profit organizations, municipalities and citizens that increase the impact and reach of the work we do – together.
Sunrise County Economic Council initiates and facilitates the creation of jobs and prosperity in Washington County, Maine. In short, we work for the 30,000+ people in Washington County to build a brighter future.
A Family Futures Downeast participant and her children.
Your Donation helps SCEC:
Invest in Communities
SCEC helps Washington county towns to plan for the future, increase resiliency, secure federal funds, and build the public infrastructure our economic future depends on.
Provide Educational Opportunities
We facilitate workforce training courses that award college credit – at no cost to participants – in industries such aquaculture, lobstering and forestry.
Support Families
Family Futures Downeast‘s program takes a unique 2-gen approach by helping parents enroll in college while children enroll in high quality early education programs. SCEC’s fiscal leadership in this 6-partner collaboration provides financial support for families to thrive.
Assist Small Businesses
MaineStreet Business Building, in the heart of downtown Machias, provides business education through Partners in Entrepreneurial Pathways 1.0 and 2.0, as well as advising, networking, and co-working space. Assistance with technology needs, internet costs, financing, and getting government contracts is also available.
Support Washington County Focused Initiatives
From the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network that helps employers support employees in recovery, to the expansion of high-speed internet to remote areas, SCEC’s partnerships keep our communities’ needs central to our goals.
This is just a bit of what SCEC does in Washington County. We invite you to contribute what you can to ensure that this work continues to strengthen this special place we call home.
Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you have any questions, please contact us anytime.
Success Stories
Family Futures Downeast
(FFD) works to remove many of the barriers that mothers face, so they can go to school. It is a two-generational program. So, while mom is in class, the kids are receiving quality early childhood education! FFD also provides transportation assistance, books, computers, and other supplies to the moms and kids as needed as well. By removing economic, cultural, and logistical barriers, parents can thrive as students.
Kristin Alley is a single mom of two. She was part of the first ever cohort to go through the FFD program. She said that “FFD was a great support system. The coaches and the other girls helped me get back into the swing of things and kept me going when things got a little tough.”
But FFD was not the only support she had. Her Machias Savings Bank (MSB) family also pushed her to keep studying and working hard every day. While in FFD, Kristin would take proctored exams or do homework in the breakroom at the Columbia location of MSB. There was even office space that she could use upstairs if she really needed a quiet place to work. Her boss not only said yes to these study sessions in the break room, but he encouraged them!
Kristin might be done with FFD but she certainly isn’t done with homework. She still has a few years left before she has her degree in hand. So, the break room at MSB still has quite a few more study sessions to be held.
Kristin wants to show her kids that anything is possible with a little hard work. She attributes her success to FFD. She said that if it were not for this program, she probably never would have gone back to school. But the support she received from her FFD coach, teachers, and MSB is allowing her to better her future and her children’s.
Pat's Pizza Machias
The road to opening day was long, but Bill says they did not go at it alone. Many different community players took on roles to help them get there. Bill calls them “his team”.
Ruth Cash-Smith from CEI was able to provide the Burkes with the business counseling they needed to complete their business plan. Machias Savings Bank approved them for a business loan, and Sunrise County Economic Council gave Pat’s Pizza a small business loan that helped fill their funding gap
Once their funding was secure and business took off, we were able to give them training including: ServSafe, QuickBooks for record keeping, marketing, and even a training on Health Care options for employees.
SCEC also recently worked with Pat’s Pizza to provide grant funding through the Maine Wood Tourism Training Initiative for them to create a website and do some updating to their social media accounts. Their new website includes the original Pat’s Pizza Story and the Burkes’ personal story, as well as their menu items, daily specials, and contact information.
This new Pizza place not only provided the community with a new dining option, it also provided people in Machias with jobs. Cooks, Janitors, Wait Staff, Bartenders, Dishwashers, and Managers are just a few of the jobs that were available once their doors were opened. Right now, Pat’s Pizza employs 40 people in Washington County. And they’re still looking to hire a few more.
Now, 200,000 pizzas later, Bill says that the support he received from “his team” is a major reason that Pat’s Pizza in Machias is a success today. He loves his job and the community that he serves.
Your investment in Sunrise County Economic Council
makes stories like Kristin’s and The Burke’s possible.
Testimonials
“I love my community and I want to see it grow for my kids and my future grandkids. Personally, and as a business leader, I am passionate about doing my part to create and facilitate opportunity in this region. That is why I am supporting SCEC. We share the same passion.”
“As one of the cornerstones of economic development opportunity for Washington County, the Port of Eastport has the pleasure of working very closely with the Sunrise County Economic Council. We see their ongoing support of Port endeavors as a key component to growing not only the Port of Eastport, but all of Washington County.my future and my children’s.”
Join us and many other community partners in working to energize Washington County.
SCEC is a 501 (c) 3 private, non-profit organization