Encouraging investment and revitalization of local towns and villages

On this page:

• Vision and Strategy
• Desired Outcomes
• Feature Project: Washington County - One Community

As a region, we must continue to invest in our communities – large and small - retaining the best of our cultural heritage while developing the systems (civic organization, communications, transportation) that will make us competitive in coming decades. Revitalization of our towns and villages as dynamic centers of social, commercial, and cultural activity will be critical to insuring future prosperity for the Maine Woods region.

• Increased pride and self reliance
• Cultural assets conserved and enhanced creating a vibrant cultural life
• Strong social and civic fabric
• Sustainable systems for delivery of government and social services including health and place-appropriate education services – organized and deployed on service area scale
  
• Affordable and energy efficient housing and transportation.
  
• Young adults higher percentage of population
  

Washington County: One Community (WC:OC) is a community-based coalition serving Washington County. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life for Washington County citizens – from infants to elders. The coalition has adopted shared visions that respect cultural and community differences, encourage broad citizen engagement, and support public health, community development, and a viable economic infrastructure. WC:OC is a diverse coalition that relies on the assets of Washington County, the expertise of its members and their ability and willingness to share resources. WCOC is successful with community engagement to establish goals and projects and then to retain community participation to implement project strategies.

In 2006 WCOC conducted a community visioning session that identified the six Focus Teams and their priorities. To date, WCOC has completed numerous initiatives based on input gained from visioning sessions and county wide surveys including:

• The identification and development of a unified county transit plan among Washington Hancock Community Agency, West Bus System and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to identify route maps and address ways to reduce the stigma of public transportation.
  
•  A Think Local First initiative that links local businesses with school systems for fund raising and direct marketing of locally produced products.
  
• Work with the Sunrise County Economic Council, Greenland the Point Center, the Downeast Resource Conservation and Development District, the DownEast Teen Leadership Camp, and the Ed Greaves Educational Center to develop a leadership program to engage 6-8th grade youth in a county-wide program modeled after the Washington County Leadership Program which provides participants with the insight, skills and networks to be more effective leaders.
  
• Support to an Alternative Energy Committee that has worked for the past year to promote the use of alternative energy and is working to develop a plan that will increase the use of alternative energy here in Washington County.
  
• Work with the Sunrise Trail Coalition to advocate for trail development and use including work with local businesses and communities to identify resources and advocate for the development of trails/passage that will link to the Downeast Trail.
  
• Conducting an additional county wide assessment to determine Quality of Life concerns and to map the assets within our county.
  
• Securing funding to assist organizations within the county such as Washington County Food and Fuel Alliance and the local food pantries.