ELLSWORTH AMERICAN • December 29, 2021
The entirety of Hancock and Washington counties could be deemed a National Heritage Area, following the completion of a feasibility study conducted by the Sunrise County Economic Council (SCEC), an organization whose mission is in part to facilitate job creation and prosperity in Washington County. Embarking on this initiative was prompted by concern from members of the wild blueberry industry, said Crystal Hitchings, director of the SCEC. As some small growers and businesses have recently gone out of business, Hitchings said the initial goal was to preserve the industry that is so integral to Maine. It then grew to encompass multiple industries and facets of the Downeast heritage.