CARIBOU – A Falmouth-based company with roots in Aroostook County has made a significant donation to support economic development in The County.

Officials at United Insurance Group announced earlier this week they have renewed their plans to pledge $50,000 to the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, a private-public economic development partnership.

The Aroostook Partnership for Progress is the regional public-private initiative that works with its partners to market the region nationally and internationally. The partnership works to enhance northern Maine’s economy by increasing business and investment activity, attracting new jobs, reversing out-migration trends and setting its sights on increased economic development accountability and leadership.

Since 2004, the partnership has successfully attracted approximately 1,000 new jobs and $140 million in new investment into the region. The nonprofit organization is supported by the financial commitments of more than 20 private businesses.

The United Insurance Group is a statewide organization of independent insurance professionals who have linked their resources to provide extensive business and personal insurance. The company is a founding investor of the Aroostook partnership.

Chris Condon, chief operating officer of the insurance group, said the company was “pleased to financially recommit to APP.”

“APP has developed a solid regional approach to economic development in The County and generated considerable success over the past four years, and more work needs to be done,” he said. “UIG is convinced that APP has the process in place to address the opportunities and challenges going forward.”

Larry Shaw, chairman of APP, credits UIG and other private sector firms as being “critical to the success of APP.”

He noted that UIG has been part of the collaborative from its inception.

“Their decision to recommit says a lot about the APP program,” he said.

Headquartered in Falmouth, UIG has independent agencies in six towns in Aroostook County.

jlbdn@ainop.com

532-9257