PRESQUE ISLE – Momentum Aroostook is getting a major boost from the local business, education and development sectors after three entities signed on to offer the organization significant administrative and financial support.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Rice
Momentum Aroostook recently received major financial support from MMG Insurance and the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Celebrating the sponsorship are, from left: Jay Trainer, Momentum Board member; University President Don Zillman; Nathan Berry, Momentum Board chairman; Matt McHatten, MMG Insurance’s senior vice president; and Sarah Fischer, Momentum Board member. The group also recently received major in-kind support from Northern Maine Development Commission, which is providing administrative and grant-writing services.
Momentum Aroostook Board Chairman Nathan Berry announced Monday that MMG Insurance, Northern Maine Development Commission and the University of Maine at Presque Isle have agreed to serve as Momentum’s first major sponsors.
Northern Maine Development Commission will serve as the organization’s host, providing administrative and grant writing services, while the University and MMG Insurance each have chosen to provide a $1,250 sponsorship. Berry said Momentum Aroostook ultimately hopes to have four “corner sponsors” to offset operating and programming costs.
“We are deeply appreciative to all three of these entities for putting their support behind the Momentum Aroostook initiative since day one,” Berry said. “With the administrative and financial support on top of that, we have the tools and the funding we need to effect some really positive change for the local area and our age demographic.”
Momentum Aroostook is an organization that offers younger members of the County workforce the opportunity to use their talents, skills, enthusiasm and high energy to further their own growth and career interests while seeking ways to support community needs. The County-wide networking group, geared toward the 20- to 40-year-old population, is working to shape the economic, social and recreational future of the area.
“NMDC is pleased to offer support to Momentum Aroostook so they can continue to provide a forum for young professionals to come together, expand their horizons and assist other young professionals looking to Aroostook County as a place to live and work,” Robert Clark, NMDC executive director, said. “The mission of Momentum Aroostook coincides nicely with the Aroostook Partnership for Progress and NMDC’s efforts to expand economic opportunity in the County. Youth out-migration has been one of our biggest challenges and this effort will hopefully reverse that trend in Aroostook.”
Momentum Aroostook is working on several projects to effect positive changes in the area, such as applying for a grant – with the help of NMDC – to establish a business professional internship program. Other efforts, such as organizing a year’s worth of professional, cultural and recreational programming, are made possible because of the organization’s corner sponsors. Supporters said they were glad to help because it would ultimately benefit the region.
“When we heard Momentum Aroostook was looking for sponsorship, we signed on immediately,” UMPI President Don Zillman said. “We are excited about the professional opportunities this organization is creating for young people in the area, which potentially could serve as a catalyst for in-migration for the area. We’d like to do whatever we can to help Momentum Aroostook grow.”
Larry Shaw, president and CEO of MMG Insurance, echoed Zillman’s comments.
“MMG is pleased to be an initial sponsor of Momentum Aroostook,” Shaw said. “While we have a fine group of young professionals in the County, the diversity of their careers and workplaces makes efforts like Momentum Aroostook highly important. Not only does it provide social and networking opportunities, it also gives rise to a common voice for issues facing this segment of our population. This is vital for attracting and retaining young professionals in the County.”
Momentum Aroostook is part of a statewide initiative called REALIZE!Maine. REALIZE, managed by the Maine Development Foundation, aims to help strengthen the network of young people in their professions and workplaces and to help entice more young professionals to locate in the state.
For more information about Momentum Aroostook, visit www.momentumaroostook.com.
