Devou hits the ground running, coordinating municipal development in Winslow, Oakland, Fairfield, and Waterville while accelerating the growth of startups within the Dirigo Labs ecosystem.
Waterville, ME – December 18, 2025 – The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua Devou as its new Economic Development Specialist. In this role, Devou will advance CMGC’s mission to strengthen workforce development, foster innovation, and accelerate economic growth across the Mid-Maine region. Joshua will also join forces with Dirigo Labs, Mid-Maine’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator which is currently recruiting for its next cohort.
Devou brings extensive experience in building strategic partnerships, cultivating innovation ecosystems, and leading digital marketing initiatives. He is an Adjunct Business Professor and was the Program Coordinator for The Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at Thomas College, where he helped coordinate professional development opportunities for area employers and coordinated signature events like Converge and Create Weekend, Pardon the Innovation.
“I am honored to return to Mid-Maine, the place where I launched my professional career,” said Joshua. “Economic development is a collective endeavor. I’m thrilled to champion CMGC’s efforts to support small businesses, empower Dirigo Labs’ next generation of startups, and advance critical downtown revitalization efforts.”
As Economic Development Specialist, Joshua will play a pivotal role in driving municipal growth and strategic planning. His mandate includes supporting downtown revitalization, business recruitment, expansion, and retention objectives, and program capacity within the management and establishment of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, redevelopment plans, and grant and finance programs across Fairfield, Oakland, Waterville, and Winslow. Beyond municipal support, Joshua will cultivate the next generation of industry through Dirigo Labs, providing high-level guidance within the Accelerator, Incubator, and Financial Modeling programs. Furthermore, he will contribute to efforts to bridge the regional talent gap by coordinating workforce development partnerships with local institutions and training programs. This dual approach—strengthening both the business climate and the labor force—ensures the community has the skills to thrive and regional businesses have the talent to scale. By joining the CMGC team, Joshua reinforces the organization’s position as the trusted architect of Central Maine’s economic future.
“Having collaborated with Joshua since 2017, I am delighted to welcome a professional of his caliber back to our community and to our team at such a defining moment for Mid-Maine. Joshua has already hit the ground running, providing immediate strategic support to our municipal partners and jumping into key projects with a strong start. As we look toward 2026 and the opening of new innovation infrastructure at Levine’s Discovery Headquarters in 2027, Joshua will be integral to our continued regional economic transformation. He will provide key technical assistance for CMGC’s municipal portfolio while supporting high-impact initiatives like the Trafton Road recruitment and expansion. By bridging the gap between municipal economic development and the high-growth potential of our Dirigo Labs startups, Joshua will ensure our economic ecosystem remains vibrant, scalable, and resilient,” said Garvan Donegan, President and CEO of the Central Maine Growth Council.
Frank, a seasoned entrepreneur and policy veteran, will lead the Waterville-based Dirigo Labs accelerator, turning local ingenuity into high-growth, scalable Maine companies.
Waterville, ME – December 10, 2025
The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Jeff Frank as Program Manager of Dirigo Labs. In this new role, Jeff will lead and support the design and delivery of Dirigo Labs’ programs, including the 12-week startup Accelerator, the Dirigo Launch Incubator, and the Dirigo Model financial-readiness course, which equips founders to attract capital and scale successfully. Early applications for both the Accelerator Program and the finance-specific Dirigo Model are now open.
“Dirigo Labs is a driving force for startups and entrepreneurs in downtown Waterville and across Maine, helping founders transform ideas into scalable businesses,” said Garvan Donegan, President and CEO of the Central Maine Growth Council. “Bringing Jeff Frank on board amplifies this impact and reinforces our growth through key partnerships, including Colby College, and through the development of Dirigo Labs’ new offices and innovation infrastructure at the 40,000 sq. ft. Levine’s Discovery Headquarters in Waterville.”
Dirigo Labs, the innovation-focused arm of CMGC, works to turn innovative ideas into thriving companies and high-value jobs. It is an extension of CMGC’s mission to build a stronger central Maine economy by activating state ingenuity. Dirigo Labs anticipates future growth in critical sectors such as precision manufacturing, biotechnology, cleantech, and information technology. “Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools we have for building economic strength and resiliency in rural Maine,” said Jeff Frank. “At Dirigo Labs, we connect founders with the tools, capital, and expertise needed to succeed and scale. I’m optimistic about the future of central Maine’s startup community and invite anyone interested to get involved.”
Jeff Frank brings a diverse background in private-sector innovation, public policy, and community development. He co-founded hearforward.com (acquired 2012) and held leadership roles as CEO of Hoana Medical, COO of Smart Yields, Product Lead at Oceanit Labs, and operations lead at Elemental Excelerator. In the public sector, Frank served five years on Capitol Hill as a senior staff member for two U.S. Senators, worked as a senior research analyst at the Brookings Institution, and spent two years in the U.S. Peace Corps.
About Dirigo Labs
Dirigo Labs, a program of the Central Maine Growth Council, is a regional startup accelerator and incubator based in Waterville, Maine. The organization is dedicated to supporting innovative startups and small businesses through mentorship, access to capital, and strategic partnerships. Dirigo Labs aims to advance economic development and position Maine as a hub for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. Visit dirigolabs.org.
About Central Maine Growth Council
Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), located in Waterville, Maine, is a public-private collaborative regional economic development partnership funded by municipalities and businesses who share a common vision of economic prosperity for our region. CMGC is committed to fostering a robust regional economy. Our belief is that the standard of living and quality of life of our citizens is best served by a vibrant, healthy economy. This is accomplished with a strong successful business community. To find out more about how CMGC can help your business succeed, give us a call at (207) 680-7300 or visit centralmaine.org.