Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

This success story exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that often draws individuals back to Maine, as Desjardins adds, “Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and our tagline now is ‘Welcome Home.’. You get folks that move out and when they get to the level that they want to be, they tend to come back home. This is where they want to be, this is where they want to have their business. So, you see that growth in that entrepreneur population.” EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Saco actively engages in workforce development programs, collaborating with educational institutions to prepare students for various career pathways. Thornton Academy, a private high school attracting a global student body, offers top-notch educational opportunities, including advanced placement (AP) courses in preparation for post-secondary education. The Biddeford Center of Technology, serving students from Saco and Biddeford, focuses on trades and vocational skills. “They have 20 Career Pathways, getting into some of those trades, and that’s what’s missing in Maine,” Desjardins acknowledges. “At the state level, they have a Workforce Development Board. The goal is to work with universities and community colleges to train more tradespeople to help fill the workforce for companies with trained employees.” Saco also collaborates with York County Community College to provide free tuition to local students and affordable training for businesses and organizations. With an influx of new residents in the area, the city is also working with local companies to fill workforce gaps and ensure employment opportunities. Desjardins offers the example of Ready Seafood, a well-established lobster processing business. “A lot of new Mainers work there,” she says. “This company provides housing for workers, and pays extra money for the transportation system to make special trips because of their work schedule. . They have a bus shelter right outside their facility.” RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING With a population on the rise, housing development 110 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02