AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation today announced the launch of a Workforce Transportation Pilot program, an initiative of Governor Janet Mills' Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, to pursue and develop transportation solutions that connect workers with employers across Maine.
Due to the economic consequences of the pandemic, many Maine workers and businesses are having to look farther afield to meet their needs - employers to find qualified employees and people to find job opportunities that match their skills.
The $5-million Workforce Transportation Program will provide competitive grants of up to $750,000 to local and regional partnerships to pilot ways to connect workers and employers through ridesharing, vanpools, and other subsidized transit options.
"Many Maine employers are looking for workers while many Maine people are struggling to connect to available employment opportunities," said Bruce Van Note, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. "These funds will allow MaineDOT to work with our partners across the state to identify challenges and develop solutions to address workforce transportation challenges all over Maine."
"Increasing access to reliable transportation is a key element of boosting workforce participation in Maine," said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. "This new pilot program will ensure that more Mainers are able to get to work."
"A key barrier for many Mainers looking for work is reliable transportation - especially in rural communities where workers may need to travel farther distances to available jobs matching their goals and skill sets," said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. "This is an exciting opportunity for employers to work creatively and collaboratively to attract and retain workers both inside and outside their immediate areas."
The Workforce Transportation Pilot is administered by MaineDOT's Bureau of Planning. The bureau will review and select projects based on merit and funding availability. Funds may be used for capital and operating costs, including program start-up costs.
Applications may be submitted by employers or groups of employers, municipalities, non-profit organizations, human service organizations, and public/private transportation providers.
"Effective and efficient transportation systems are crucial to strengthening Maine's economy and supporting working people," said Matt Schlobohm, Executive Director of the Maine AFL-CIO. "As Maine workers struggle to find affordable housing, they are being forced to live farther and farther away from major population centers where most of the jobs are. As a result, many are making extremely long commutes that put wear and tear on their vehicles and require them to spend more of their household budgets on gas. Transportation solutions from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan will put more money in workers' pockets and strengthen Maine's economy."
Per federal guidelines, this program is designed to support a broad array of industries and economic sectors in Maine that have experienced negative economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Access to reliable transportation can often be a challenge for workers looking for job opportunities in Maine's tourism and hospitality industry," said Laura Dolce, Executive Director of the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce. "As hotels, restaurants, and retail shops continue to navigate workforce shortages, we need new transportation solutions to ensure that people can get to work. We welcome the creation of this important new initiative."
There is no application deadline for the pilot program; the bureau will accept, evaluate, and make decisions on grant applications on an ongoing, rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed.
For more program details and application information, please visit MaineDOT's Workforce Transportation Pilot Program website.
The Workforce Transportation Pilot aligns with strategies from Maine Won't Wait, the state's four-year plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate chance, promote shared transportation options, and reduce driving miles in Maine.
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.
It draws heavily on recommendations from the Governor's Economic Recovery Committee and the state's 10-Year Economic Development Strategy, transforming them into real action to improve the lives of Maine people and strengthen the economy.
For more about Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, visit maine.gov/jobsplan.