August 3, 2023
Contact: Victoria Foley
The Maine State Library and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development today announced more than $1.7 million in Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan awards through the “Remote Work through Libraries” initiative.
Thirty-nine public libraries across the state have been awarded funding to be used over the next three years to establish or expand services for Maine’s remote workforce. This includes targeted resources, services, and physical space to support remote and hybrid workers, as well as business owners and entrepreneurs.
The awards range from $5,000 to $100,000, utilizing Federal funds made possible by Governor Mills’ Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. The awards were made through a competitive grant program and the initiative focuses on libraries that serve communities where access to business centers or coworking spaces is lacking, or where there are barriers preventing workers from taking advantage of existing facilities.
The libraries who received awards are in 15 of Maine’s 16 counties and range from small, rural libraries to large urban locations. A complete list of participating libraries can be found here.
“Maine’s 255 public libraries are critical community hubs especially in our rural and remote communities.” said Lori Fisher, Maine State Librarian. “Our libraries routinely assist patrons with filling out unemployment forms, organizing and carrying out job searches, and digital skills building. The projects funded through the Remote Work through Libraries initiative will take this core work to the next level and enable expanded services that meet the unique needs of remote or hybrid workers. What does it take to be an inviting destination for someone who is running a business out of their home or for someone who works from home part of the week? These projects will answer that question.”
“Libraries are an important community resource for Maine people,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “We are grateful to the Maine State Library for their partnership to ensure that people across our state have access to remote workspaces and resources through this initiative.”
Projects span from small renovations to existing space, providing comfortable seating, creating private meeting room space, expanding access to business technology and improving ADA accessibility, to expanding the library footprint to build dedicated co-working space. Some of the projects also focus on specific audiences, such as new Mainers, older adults, and home business owners. While some projects have components that will take time to finalize, the public will be able to benefit from the libraries’ remote work services right away, and services and remote workspace will be free to the public.
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.
Since the Jobs Plan took effect in October 2021, 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.
For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.
About the Maine State Library:
Established in 1837, the Maine State Library strives to help people, make Maine libraries stronger, and transform information into knowledge. The Maine State Library delivers services through three central programs: Public and Outreach Services, Collections and Digital Initiatives, and Library Development. The services provided by the Maine State Library are available to all Maine residents and are free of charge.
About the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development:
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), consists of more than two dozen experts who work to help communities and businesses prosper through a variety of programs providing everything from targeted tax relief to community block grants to tourism marketing. Whether your business wants to make a film here, bring a Maine-made product to market, expand an aquaculture project, or explore financing when moving a business to our state, DECD’s experienced staff can help.
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