Progress Check
Six semesters into the program, about 320 students attended college classes offered in Franklin County.
This is the story of Franklin County, Maine, a rural community crippled by poverty and too few economic opportunities. It’s a story with two stars: 1) local leaders who rally together to bring college courses and job training to the area; and 2) residents who step out of their comfort zone to grow new skills and careers. Spoiler alert: The county’s transformation is ongoing. But the final chapter of this report? It’s a hopeful — and happy — ending.
Maine’s Franklin County, located 90 miles north of Portland, is a hard-hit, resource-rich rural area that’s home to nearly 29,500 residents. It has one of the state’s highest unemployment rates and lowest median household income levels.