MaineDOT awards first Workforce Transportation Pilot Program grant

The Maine Department of Transportation awarded a $387,200 grant from the Workforce Transportation Pilot Program to Sunday River of Newry. The grant program, an initiative of Gov. Janet Mills' Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, supports local and regional pilot projects that connect workers to employers through ridesharing, vanpools and other transit options.

Sunday River's award, the first from the pilot program, will support the purchase of four all-wheel-drive vans to offer free transportation for workers from nearby towns to the ski resort, to support existing employees and to reduce barriers to work for new employees.

Further, in partnership with the Bethel Chamber of Commerce, these vans will also offer transportation to workers at other area businesses in addition to Sunday River. A fifth electric van will help transport Sunday River workers residing in employer-provided housing.

"This funding will provide critical connections for Sunday River - the Bethel area's largest employer and the people who work there," said Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. "We look forward to continuing to work with our partners across the state to identify challenges and develop solutions to other workforce transportation challenges."

"Sunday River is incredibly honored to receive this grant," said Brian Heon, general manager of Sunday River. "As a business that employs numerous people in a rural area, reliable transportation is crucial to our team members. We care deeply for our community, and we're proud to be able to offer free transportation to our valued team members."

The Workforce Transportation Pilot aligns with strategies from Maine Won't Wait, the state's four-year plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in part by promoting public transportation to combat climate change.

MaineDOT is working with several other applicants on their proposals. There is no application deadline, but applicants are encouraged to submit projects as soon as possible. With this first award, approximately $4.6 million remains to be awarded.

The Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is the Governor's plan, approved by the legislature, to invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds to improve the lives of Maine people and families, help businesses, create good-paying jobs and build an economy poised for future prosperity.

In the past year since the Jobs Plan took effect, the Mills Administration has delivered direct economic relief to nearly 1,000 Maine small businesses, supported more than 100 infrastructure projects around the state to create jobs and revitalize communities and invested in workforce programs estimated to offer apprenticeship, career and education advancement and job training opportunities to 22,000 Maine people.