BETHEL, Maine — The Maine Department of Transportation awarded the first grant in its Workforce Transportation Pilot Program to Sunday River and the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.
The funds come from the American Rescue Plan and were allocated by Gov. Janet Mills’ Jobs and Recovery Plan. The money is aimed at assisting businesses that are still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic.
Paul Merill, the Maine DOT’s director of communication, said the program has $5 million to give out to rural businesses in the state with a focus on the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries.
“The funds are here to help transportation problems and help stimulate the economy,” he said in a Zoom interview on Thursday. “Transportation is a challenge. and we know it’s a challenge for employers as well.”
Sunday River is taking the point in the first grant of the pilot program. Nearly $400,000 will be used to invest in five all-terrain vehicles to bus employees to and from the resort for free.
“When we saw this grant pop up, we thought it would be a great opportunity to offer safe and reliable transportation to the entire team, year-round,” Sunday River Executive Coordinator Brian Lenberg said.
One of the vans will be an electric vehicle and will shuttle resort workers living in employee housing close to the mountain.
Lenberg added the resort has employee housing in surrounding towns, and with winter storms, car trouble, or other issues, these rides will be a huge benefit. The vehicles will also be equipped to handle all road conditions.
“It was essential just because of the terrain, and you never know what the weather is going to bring. We want to get everyone safely and reliably, and that’s what we’re going to do," Lenberg said.
While the focus of this area of Maine may center around the winter tourism season, Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessie Perkins said the community has developed into a destination for tourists all year long.
“We see addressing these challenges as a year-round issue because we have plenty going on in the summer and fall as well," she added.
Remote work has allowed many people, who may have had a second home in the Bethel area, to move to town full-time, Perkins added.
Perkins said the grant will also allow the chamber and other local businesses to bus employees to work every day for all four seasons.
“It’s good for both the employer and the employees, who, you know, if they don’t have reliable transportation, or if they're sharing one vehicle with multiple family members, it can help ilvaite those pressures," Perkins said.
While the transportation pilot program is targeting tourism, travel, and hospitality businesses in rural communities, any business can apply. The applications are being approved on a rolling basis.
“We’re welcoming other businesses to continue to reach out to us and see if [there are] ways we can help fix transportation challenges," Merill said. "Have a conversation with us. If it’s a good fit, it’s a great fit.”