FARMINGTON — At the Dec. 13 Selectmen meeting Charles Woodworth, executive director of Greater Franklin Economic and Community Development shared what his organization does and advocated for county funding for community service organizations.

“Everyone here knows that Franklin County has an aging population,” Woodworth said. “It’s stressing our school district, our labor pool, our health care facilities. The mission of our office is to work with our community, business and citizen leaders to understand what the priorities are, what are the things holding you back from success as a landlord, as a Town Manager, selectperson. We prioritize what we hear. Right now it’s internet connectivity across the county, childcare, workforce housing.”

Woodworth said the county is at a pre-pandemic unemployment rate of 3.6% with businesses not operating at full capacity because they can’t get the people. Franklin County was built on heritage industries such as paper and wood, has flipped to a recreation economy, he noted.

“We identify issues, design solutions then chase state and federal funding sources,” Woodworth said. “No one else in Franklin County is doing this at this time.”

Lack of transportation, need for workforce training and development, having necessary social skills and availability of low/moderate housing were identified by those at the meeting as limiting factors for people in the area.

A survey is being put together to help prioritize what people’s needs are and Woodworth is looking for towns to promote completing it. His organization works with the adult education programs at Mt. Blue and Spruce Mountain to facilitate training programs for displaced workers and classes on improving computer skills/navigating the internet safely.

“By the end of 2023 half the county will be connected to fiber,” Woodworth said. “It will attract businesses, children can do work from home.” Telehealth from home is another benefit, ratings on people’s experiences all score as high or better than in-person visits, he noted.

Farmington is the shining light in the support of community service organizations, Woodworth said. For several years commissioners have not funded those groups and he asked selectmen to talk with commissioners to recommend they do so once more. Commissioners Lance Harvell and Bob Carlton support doing so, he stated.

Danielle Flannery, data manager at Western Maine Community Action shared things her organization had done in Farmington. In fiscal year 2022, 400 households received fuel assistance, 61 senior households [267 countywide] received food help, six homes were weatherized, 14 had central heating systems repaired or replaced, and seven had home repairs, she said. Through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program 1,179 families were helped with more than $5 million going directly to landlords, she noted. There were 1,053 community services delivered in Farmington with almost $2.82 million spent, according to provided information.

That information showed SeniorsPlus, WMCA, Franklin County Children’s Task Force and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice invested almost $5.2 million in Farmington [figures had not been determined for Franklin County Adult and Community Education].

“Farmington is responsible for about 11.4% of the county budget,” Woodworth said. “Last budget cycle the commissioners approved $164,000 for these community service organizations. Your 11.4% of that is $19,000 – $19,000 for $5.2 million invested in this town – that is a 278 to one return on investment.

“As the economic development office for the county, these folks are economic drivers, economic engines – not to mention the important services they provide – in their budgets, payroll. What they are asking for from the county is a tiny fraction of what they put back in.”

The organizations seek county funding because they have opportunities for state and federal grants, Woodworth said.

“None of those funders are going to fund an organization in which its own community does not support it,” he noted.