The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine’s Education Foundation announced that contractors have committed to more than $300,000 in additional funds for Maine students pursuing construction careers. The total fund balance will exceed $800,000 as contributions are received.

Special guest Patrick Dempsey to make remarks; seven Maine governors to appear in video presentation and be honored; Bangor Region Chamber president to receive award

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the bicentennial of Maine’s statehood at its annual meeting and dinner in Augusta on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 with special guest Patrick Dempsey. Maine’s seven living governors will be honored and share their perspectives and historical context on what makes Maine special in a unique video presentation at the dinner event. Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce President Deb Neuman will also be honored.

The guest column by Educate Maine’s Jason Judd (Oct. 13) was spot-on: to grow Maine’s current and future workforce, the public and private sectors must commit to making sure all Maine people have the educational training, credentials and experience needed to succeed in Maine’s 21st century economy.

By the time you read this, the celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial at our October 30 Annual Dinner will likely be underway. Its complete coverage will appear in subsequent editions of Impact. However, for those of you attending, this year is a unique period of time to celebrate Maine’s rich history, reflect on the journey that got us here, and to acknowledge the leadership that brought us here. It is also a pivotal moment in time, as we look to building a bright future for the next generations.

Thomas College recently dedicated their School of Education to philanthropists Peter and Paula Lunder, reaffirming its mission to train Maine’s next generation of teachers. The college has designed modern classrooms and brought in the newest technology, like 3-D printers and virtual reality headsets, to create an aesthetic place that was also a public space. This multi-use space is intentionally reflective of the classrooms of today.

The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is preparing for the required rulemaking process for LD 369, An Act Authorizing Earned Employee Leave, often referred to as the “earned paid time off” bill. The Legislature enacted the bill on May 16, and Governor Janet Mills signed it on May 28 of this year; the law goes into effect on January 1, 2021.