The Maine Department of Transportation recently awarded a $387,200 Workforce Transportation Pilot Program grant to Sunday River of Newry, one of Maine’s largest ski resorts.
The grant program supports local and regional pilot projects connecting workers to employers through ridesharing, vanpools, and other transit options. It is an initiative of the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan which will invest nearly $1 billion in Federal American Rescue Plan funds.
Sunday River plans to use the funding to cover a portion of the purchase of four all-wheel-drive vans to offer free transportation to Sunday River workers living in nearby towns. A fifth electric van will transport Sunday River workers residing in employer-provided housing.
The vans also will transport workers to other area businesses. This service will be in partnership with the Bethel Chamber of Commerce.
“Sunday River is incredibly honored to receive this grant,” said Brian Heon, Sunday River’s general manager. “As a business that employs numerous people in a rural area, reliable transportation is crucial to our team members. We care deeply for our community, and we’re proud to be able to offer free transportation to our valued team members.”
The Workforce Transportation Pilot Program will award approximately $4.6 million more in grants.