About:

The Knox/Waldo Regional Economic Development (KWRED) Council was formed in 2006. KWRED is a program of Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), which is one of 5 federally designated non-profit economic and community development agencies in Maine. EMDC covers 6 counties in Eastern Maine -- the KWRED organization focuses exclusively on the regional economic development strategies for two of those counties –Knox County and Waldo County. Knox and Waldo Counties make up the unique business and cultural “Coastal Community” commonly referred to as “Midcoast Maine.”

The KWRED Office was established and staffed in Rockland, Maine to begin serving the unique economic development needs of this coastal area. Because this Midcoast Region shares many common demographic, economic and cultural characteristics, the KWRED Council was form to establish and implement the Mission, Strategies & Principles, and Vision set out below:

Our Mission:

The mission of the Knox/Waldo Regional Economic Development Council is to stimulate long-term, robust economic growth for the Knox & Waldo County region through Job Creation & Retention, Advocacy, and Regional Collaboration.

Our Key Strategies and Principles:

To effectively accomplish this mission of robust economic growth, the Council must become the recognized leader of a coordinated regional effort, by:

Our Vision for the Future:

Within 5 years, the Knox/Waldo region will become one of the most robust business regions of Maine and New England as evidenced by:

• is a net positive number of new jobs each year, and
• exceeds the State of Maine average job growth rate each year.

Income Levels --- A Median Household Income level that

• meets or exceeds the U.S. average (within 5 yrs)
• and eventually - meets or exceeds the Northern New England average (NH, VT, ME)

Link to EMDC:

KWRED is a program of Eastern Maine Development Corp  

While the KWRED Council and staff focus exclusively on economic and community development issues for the Midcoast, KWRED has access to and assistance from the full range of EMDC expertise, resources and programs. EMDC management, which is based in Bangor Maine, is committed to supporting the unique development needs of the KWRED Region. EMDC staff/experts can provide lending assistance, business development counseling, community development specialists, grant writing services, GIS mapping, federal contract procurement assistance, and many other services that can be offered to the businesses and communities of the Knox/Waldo Region. The KWRED staff; who work out of the Camden, Maine Office (48 Washington Street, Camden, Maine 04843) can pull together a superior team of business development experts and resources to help you succeed.

The KWRED Council and Advisors

The KWRED Council is made up of some of the most knowledgeable and influential business, community and political leaders throughout the Coastal Knox/Waldo Region. It is their vision for and dedication to the successful and effective economic growth of this beautiful coastal regional that they love, which drives every effort of the KWRED organization.

The KWRED Council:

• Robert Grodon, City Councilor, Belfast
• Jill Goodwin – Monroe & Goodwin Builders
• Jim Patterson, Dir. of U Maine Hutchison Ctr in Belfast  & Camden School Board
• Roberta Smith, Town Mgr - Camden
• Chris Rector, State Rep Thomaston & Camden Small Business owner
• Tom Hall, City Mgr - Rockland
• Greg Dufour , President & CEO of Camden National Bank

• Bob Hirsch - retired Executive, DuPont Corp. – Owl’s Head
• Terry St Peter - Business Owner - Belfast

KWRED Special Advisors:

• Joe Slocum, Belfast City Manager
• John Bird – educator and leadership/management consultant
• Bob Hastings, Exec Dir. Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Claire Adams, Exec Dir. Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce
• Dana Mosher, Exec Dir. Belfast Chamber of Commerce
• EMDC’s Knox & Waldo Co. Board members
• EMDC Management Staff
• Midcoast Pine Tree Zone Council Mbrs.
• Maine DECD – Commissioner and Regional Reps.
• A Representative from several municipally-based Econ Dev Committees:
• Rockland (Carrie Shore)
• Belfast (Mary Martier/Jayne Gilles)
• Camden (Roger Moody/John Enright)
• Searsport (James Gillway/Diane Smith)

• Thomaston (Val Blastow )

KWRED Staff:

(click here for bio)

Alan Hinsey is the full-time, “boots on the ground,” staff person who has been assigned to work exclusively for the KWRED Council. Alan is an Economic Development Specialist (an employee of EMDC) who works for the KWRED Council out of the Rockland, Maine office.