Charlotte White Center to Receive

Maine Development Foundation’s

Champion of Economic Development Award

Dover-Foxcroft, ME –Richard M. Brown, CEO of the Charlotte White Center was recently notified that the agency will receive the Maine Development Foundation’s Non-Profit Champion of Economic Development Award for 2009. Only two non-profit agencies are selected for this prestigious award in this category each year. Awards are based on demonstrated commitment to economic growth in Maine, ability to collaborate and create partnerships, innovation and high professional standards.

The Charlotte White Center (CWC) is a multi-level social service agency with headquarters in Dover-Foxcroft providing a wide variety of services to individuals facing the life challenges of intellectual and developmental disabilities or behavioral and mental health concerns. While our programs and resources are concentrated in Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties, we also provide services in Aroostook, Hancock, Franklin, Kennebec, Waldo and Washington Counties. The Charlotte White Center employs approximately four hundred eighty highly trained staff and serves over two thousand individuals annually.

Thomas Kittredge, Executive Director of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, nominated the agency because of its influence as a stabilizing economic force in the Penquis area. In an economic climate in which state and federal funding is decreasing, the Charlotte White Center (CWC) is forward-thinking and proactive, utilizing innovative approaches to economic sustainability. CWC has taken responsibility by re-examining its assets, not only as a quality social service and healthcare provider, but also as an economic development engine to create positive change in one of the poorest counties in Maine. CWC’s leadership, board of directors and staff worked to develop niche market opportunities that create effective treatment options for the people they serve, within new business enterprises that create jobs and employ more people in the economically-stressed communities served by the agency. Over the last thirty years they have grown to be the one of the largest employers in Piscataquis County and surrounding area. A highlight of CWC’s nomination included the creation of innovative partnership opportunities to benefit the community through collaboration with local and regional partners, municipal and county law enforcement, Mayo Regional Hospital, the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor, Penquis, the Cooperative Extension Service, Womancare and other non-profit agencies.

Each year the Maine Development Foundation (MDF), a thirty-one year old, highly regarded economic development non-profit, honors a distinct few who are making an impact in the state of Maine. This year over fifty companies and organizations were nominated and only four selected; two from the private sector and two from the non-profit sector. According to Laurie Lachance, President and CEO of MDF, the competition for this award was intense and the decision to recognize the Charlotte White Center was a unanimous one by the Maine Development Foundation’s review team. “The State of Maine is extremely fortunate to have such high caliber organizations like the Charlotte White Center who are making a difference not only for the state, but for their employees and their community. We are so pleased to be able to recognize their efforts and share it with others who have the same passion,” said Lachance.

The Award will be presented at Maine Development Foundations 31 st Annual Meeting on Friday, September 25 th at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.

Those who would like to learn more about the Charlotte White Center or contribute to the agency may do so by visiting our website for background, history and donation options at www.charlottewhitecenter.com or for direct contributions contact Erica Kimball, Development Director, at 207-947-1410 ext.120 or via email at ekimball@charlottewhite.org.