CEI is a partner with Mountain Counties Heritage (MCH), Western Mountains Alliance (WMA) and the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) in a multi-year effort focused on Maine's four western counties and their economic future. Each member is bringing its particular expertise to bear on opportunities and problems in the region: MCH—cultural planning and development; WMA—advocacy and leadership training; MECEP—policy development; and CEI—finance and community economic development. We work on some place-specific development projects separately (see sidebar and below), but look for ways our partners' skills can help make them a success. Jointly, we are attempting to bring more private donor and philanthropic funding into western Maine and to raise the profile of community and nonprofit projects and organizations deserving financial support.

For more information, contact Stephen Cole, Director, Sustainable Communities, at 207-882-7552, ext. 133.