Economic Development and Innovation in Waterville

Dear Colby Community,

Earlier today, along with key partners, we announced the creation of 200 high-quality jobs in Waterville through the opening of a subsidiary of a Massachusetts-based IT consulting company. This is the result of many months of effort to attract Collaborative Consulting to Waterville as part of our partnership with the city to stimulate development in the Main Street area. The company is already hiring and plans to open, in the Hathaway Creative Center, in January.

We believed from the beginning that any effort to revitalize Main Street had to focus on long-term sustainable economic growth. Waterville’s future is dependent on the creation of new jobs that can support individuals and families and ultimately create a new economic model for an area that long relied on the mills. I am particularly pleased Collaborative Consulting has a fundamental commitment to intensive, long-term training for its employees, making it possible for individuals with little or no IT experience and those who are interested in job retraining to compete for positions in this growing field.

This partnership will offer direct benefits to Colby as well. We plan to create internships for our students and professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff. Beyond Colby, Collaborative also plans to partner with Thomas College and Kennebec Valley Community College. Over time, I hope we will see graduates of our local institutions staying right here in Waterville, helping to grow our economy and strengthen our communities.

More about the announcement is online here: https://www.colby.edu/news/2015/12/09/colby-partners-with-it-company-to-bring-200-jobs-to-waterville/

David A. Greene
President