Eastern Maine Development Corporation

08/31/2026

Here's our Hope Navigator Shawn with Carol of the HOPE Team from DHHS joining the UMA Moose in welcoming returning HOPE students. They also introduced the benefits of the program to new students who qualify by helping cover school related costs. HOPE Program

08/31/2026

Meet Tanner Hanes!

Tanner serves as the Commercial Loan Officer for Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC), where he helps businesses and communities access financing for economic development and revitalization projects across Maine. With an MBA and a background in business development, Tanner specializes in leveraging public financing tools to support transformative redevelopment efforts.

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08/29/2026

Governor Janet Mills message to Canadians, "We share more than a border with Canada — we share an economy, a history, friendships and families, and a way of life."

President Donald Trump’s trade war is harming the economies of two countries which are united economically and culturally.

08/28/2026

EMDC business partner Great Northern Salmon is pausing operations because of tariffs. This One North project, part of the overall redevelopment of the former mill site, is expected to create over 100 jobs during construction and dozens when operational. The uncertainty and burden of costly tariffs is harming businesses and halting economic development in Maine.

08/25/2026

On Maine Public's Maine Calling, Labor day conversation led by Maine Labor Commisioner Laura Fortman . Our CEO Lee Umphrey calls in at the 29.35 minute mark.

How training and education can help address Maine's workforce shortage

08/24/2026

Lee Umphrey, president of Eastern Maine Development Corporation, said the folly of the trade war is hurting businesses, workers and families.

Collapsed trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have resulted in 50$ tariffs from the Trump Administration on $20 billion of Canadian imports. And now Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising matching tariffs on U.S. imports beginning Sept. 8.

08/21/2026

Ali Lane is the Central & Northern Maine Center Director and a Certified Business Advisor with the Maine SBDC, where she has supported entrepreneurs since 2019. She holds an MBA and a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from the University of Maine.

A former—and perhaps future—entrepreneur herself, Ali successfully started, grew, and sold a restaurant in the Greater Bangor region. Her accomplishments include receiving the Maine SBDC’s State Star Award in 2021 and EMDC’s Community Partner of the Year Award in 2025. ⭐

Ali is especially passionate about helping entrepreneurs develop marketing strategies and tactics rooted in consumer behavior. She lives in Eastern Maine with her husband, their 1-year-old daughter, and their 11-year-old black lab.

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08/20/2026

This innovative, iron-air battery system is part of Lincoln's overall redevelopment of the former mill . EMDC's is the lead organization for FORM Energy's Community Benefits Plan serving as the pipeline for workers.

The project is just one several new businesses in the works for the former mill.

08/11/2026

We fondly remember our colleague and friend Theresa Mudgett on her passing.

Here's Theresa with Jon Farley and Lee Umphrey on her retirement day from EMDC in Aug. 2019. Theresa, from Dover Foxcroft, had a long career helping others build skills and find jobs with TDC and EMDC. Jon, Lee and Tom Fernands had been workforce colleagues with Theresa since 1989. She was always a ferocious advocate for helping people find opportunities while supporting political causes and candidates to help people.

08/09/2026

At 91, Dell Emerson has spent decades shaping Maine's wild blueberry industry — and he's still at it.