Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC) is a longtime champion for Washington County and one of the original partners in the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) Network.
For more than 30 years, SCEC has been doing the deep, steady work of building opportunity in rural Maine from creating jobs and investing in infrastructure, to building partnerships that reflect the grit and heart of this region. As one of the first employers to join the Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network, they continue to help shape what it means to lead with trust, connection, and compassion.
“In large part, Washington County employers already demonstrate recovery-friendly practices; they just might not always call it that. At SCEC, we see how much our business community cares, and we are proud to support them. By helping employers name, strengthen, and share what’s working, we build a more connected workforce and economy. Recovery, strong workplace culture, and economic development go hand in hand,” says Denise Cilley, Associate Director, Sunrise County Economic Council
They don’t just talk the talk. They lead by:
- Making recovery values part of their workplace culture, where wellness, belonging, and dignity matter
- Partnering across sectors, such as small businesses, Tribal communities, public health advocates, and non-profit partners
- Believing in second chances
- Sharing what they’ve learned through mentoring other employers and offering meaningful, place-based tools
- Thinking long-term and building solutions with Washington County that strengthen both our economy and our communities
This month, SCEC deepened that commitment by attending the 2025 Opioid Response Summit in Augusta. The theme? Sustaining Progress through Prevention, Perseverance, and Passion. And they showed up with all three!
They didn’t just attend, they brought back new ideas, tools, and connections to strengthen their own workplace and support others across the region. Their presence was a powerful reminder that recovery and economic development aren’t separate goals; they go hand in hand.
SCEC shows that being Recovery Friendly isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a mindset. A commitment. A way of showing up for people and the community. And that kind of leadership matters.