Area unemployment rate at 13.8 percent, highest in state
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON — With the greater Houlton and southern Aroostook County area unemployment at a staggering 13.8 percent, higher than the national average of 9.7 and higher than the state average of 8.2, the federal government has stepped in with an emergency grant to assist the unemployed.
The new three-month grant is funding a program at the ACAP office in Houlton to assist dislocated workers in obtaining resources for their transition back to the workforce after layoffs and plant closings.
Julie Duff is the peer support worker for the Maine AFL-CIO who will work as an advocate for dislocated workers to help them get the employment services they need in addition to other resources like a medical card for MaineCare services and child care. 
ADVOCATE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED — Julie Duff, peer support worker at the ACAP office on Military Street in Houlton, says she is encouraging dislocated workers to register for the new federally funded program and take advantage of resources to find training and employment.
“I know what they are going through,” says Duff who was laid off after 10 years working for BurrellsLuce that recently closed its Houlton office. “When I first became unemployed I went through every state of anger, excitement, a little depression. I didn’t know what I was going to do. The ACAP office here has helped me tremendously.”
Duff is urging people who have lost a job to speak with her and get the services the program offers. “I am excited about this program. I would love to speak to anybody who needs help. Just please come in.”
Patty Perry, Career Center manager for the Department of Labor, says in the current economy, there are not a lot of jobs. “I am encouraging people to go for further training to increase their employability. That training can be from a few weeks to a four-year degree.”
Mary Duff, ACAP job counselor, says if someone is interested in training, an assessment will be made to determine if it is realistic for their goals in the local labor market. “The medical field has huge growth potential as well as “green technology jobs.”
Perry says in addition to the peer support program, Julie Duff will help displaced workers with contacting employers, preparing resumes, and getting back into the workforce. But, job seekers must be pro-active.
“Stay current, be accessible, be visible. Get out into the community and talk to employers. You need to do more than just fill out an application and wait. I think it makes a difference.”
Emphasizing that although resources are available in Houlton and Presque Isle, Perry adds that workers need to constantly check the job bank. “What you find on Monday may not necessarily be the job that’s available on Wednesday or Friday. You need to check constantly.” She also said the Cary Library is a good resource to use a computer for research.
The ACAP office, located at 91 Military Street, is open Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The phone number is 532-5300.
