Narrative: a. 1. A.

General Requirements (1) Regions and Local Workforce Development Areas:

Regions: With the assistance of the State and Local Boards and Chief Elected Officials, Maine identified three planning regions; 1) Coastal Counties Region – made up of York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo Counties; 2) Central Western Region – made up of Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford, Somerset and Kennebec Counties; and 3) Northeastern Region – made up of Aroostook, Washington, Piscataquis, Penobscot and Hancock Counties.

The three local areas in Maine coincide with the three planning regions. Historically, Local Boards have been actively engaged in regional planning with their economic development district and community development counterparts. The Local Boards play a significant role in the development of each district’s Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The following elements were taken into consideration in identifying three distinct regions for the State:

• Equal distribution of Maine’s seven economic development districts
• Equal distribution of WIOA formula funds
• Equal distribution of post-secondary education institutions
• Inclusion of a major urban hub
• Similar labor force distribution and commuting patterns
• Equal share of Maine’s traditional industry sectors
• Equal distribution of emerging and technology-based industries
• The fact that regional partnerships have already been formed and active for the purpose of
  workforce, economic and community development

The three-region configuration is beneficial on a number of scales, not only for the above considerations, but also because of long-standing relationships between workforce development, education and economic development stakeholders. Policy PY15-09 Establishing WIOA Regions identifies the requirements for establishing regions.

Local Areas: The Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Employment consulted with local boards and chief elected officials regarding the requirements for initial and ongoing designation as a local area under WIOA. The process for requesting initial and ongoing designation is outlined in Policy PY15-01Initial Designation under WIOA as follows:

As required under the WIA Section 116 and under WIOA Section 106 (b) and as iterated in the State Strategic Plans, the substantive requirements for initial and continued designation of a local workforce development area are as follows:

• The local area is consistent with local labor market area
• The local area has a common economic development area
• The local area has the Federal and non-Federal resources, including appropriate education and training institutions, to administer activities under WIOA subtitle B

A request for local area designation by any unit of general government may be approved at any time provided the State Workforce Board determines that the local area meets the above requirements.

Any local area designated under WIA that has met the substantive requirements listed above and has performed successfully and sustained fiscal integrity, will be approved for initial designation under WIOA.