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Two Years of Workforce and Economic Investments by the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan
This week, the Mills Administration released a new report and online dashboard to mark two years of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan.
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Since it went into law on October 18, 2021, the Jobs Plan has delivered $175 million to thousands of Maine businesses, created workforce opportunities for 25,000 people, and invested in more than 400 infrastructure projects statewide to bolster childcare, broadband, energy efficiency and weatherization, housing, and more.
To date, about 75 percent of Jobs Plan funding – nearly $743 million – has been spent or committed to deliver results on behalf of Maine people. All recovery funds must be spent, per Federal law, by December 31, 2026.
“The Jobs Plan has helped strengthen our economy by making direct investments in the infrastructure that Maine people need to succeed, like housing and child care," said Governor Mills. "While we have more work to do, Maine’s economy is stronger than it was before the pandemic and continuing to grow thanks to the Jobs Plan.”
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Stories from the Jobs Plan
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Sara Rademaker runs American Unagi in Thomaston, which received a $136,000 Seafood Dealer/Processor Grant through the Jobs Plan.
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“Keeping this unique Maine resource (the American eel) in Maine and creating jobs is exactly what we are looking to do at American Unagi. We feel so lucky to be located in Maine, and provide real full and part time jobs in our region and beyond as we grow. Thanks for your support and this opportunity.”
-Sara Rademaker
President & Founder
American Unagi
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Lucas Huff took part in the Maine Construction Academy Pre-Apprentice Program in Brewer and now works in the a clean energy sector.
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“Construction has been a dream of mine and I always loved running equipment when I got the chance with my dad. Those six weeks were amazing and wish I could do it all over again. Wyman & Simpson hired me and one of my buddies. Going on to my second week, knowing I picked a great job is amazing at such a young age. I feel very grateful to have this opportunity.”
-Lucas Huff
Maine Construction Academy
Pre-apprentice
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Sanford's School District was able to expand Pre-K capacity thanks to a Jobs Plan grant to expand the program.
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“We have been able to expand our program from half day to a 6.5 hour full day program. The grant has provided an additional 48 new slots for students and provided another 16 students with a full day program that were previously half day.”
-Steve Bussiere
Sanford School District
Assistant Superintendent
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Jeni Nganzobo is part of the Roux Institute’s Post-Baccalaureate, Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program, a Jobs Plan intiatiative that places recent college grads in entry-level healthcare positions in Maine.
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“Working in Maine helps me gain experience in rural settings.f I left to study in another state, Maine would be the first state I would come back to do my residency in. It’s a good thing to come back to bring diversity to the hospital.”
-Jeni Nganzobo
UMaine at Machias grad
Healthcare Gap Year Participant
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The new online dashboard also launched today includes a refreshed interface for users to search for Jobs Plan investments in Maine by category, community, or county. The dashboard is updated regularly as new data becomes available.
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As always, thank you for your partnership in this important work. If you were forwarded this message, please consider signing up for our newsletter at maine.gov/jobsplan/ (link).
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