Rotary matches community funding for Magic Lantern Innovation Lab
Feds pitch in money, too
A drive to turn the Magic Lantern Theatre in Bridgton into a 4-H Innovation Lab and Learning Center, while also continuing the operation as a movie house, has received federal funding.
House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairwoman Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine, 1st District) announced the passage of nine out of 12 government funding bills for fiscal year 2022.
“After the devastation of the pandemic and decades of disinvestment, the American economy leaves behind working families, small businesses, and our communities. The bills passed by the House this week will create good-paying jobs, address the climate crisis, and provide a lifeline for our country to truly build back better from the pandemic, creating economic opportunity in every district across the country,” Pingree said. “I’m particularly pleased to make progress on bringing home more than $6 million in federal funding for local projects in Maine, targeting community priorities to improve the well-being of my constituents.”
The House approved $450,000 for the Innovation Lab and Learning Center. Funding will allow Maine 4-H Foundation to purchase the Magic Lantern Theater in Bridgton, keep it operating as a theater and pub, and transform it into an Innovation Lab and Learning Center. By continuing to operate, the Magic Lantern will generate funding to support the Innovation Lab and Learning Center programming. The goals of the Center include engaging 3,000 to 4,000 students annually for STEAM activities, raising student performance in Bridgton and surrounding Cumberland and Oxford county communities, and creating stronger economic development conditions for companies and organizations that need talented employees.
While Maine 4-H operates a number of learning centers across Maine, Bridgton and its surrounding communities do not currently have a resource like this for the students that this Center will serve.
The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is matching the first $10,000 in donations made by individuals, businesses and nonprofits in the area during July and August of this year to support the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab Project. Being developed by the University of Maine and the 4H Foundation, this project will benefit the youth of our region as well as others.
The goal of this project is to increase the educational opportunities for youth and the community. The programs will focus on creative learning, career opportunities, internships, and UMaine research-based curriculum. The plan is to utilize the spaces at the Magic Lantern for special presentations, programs and events to support youth. Other UMaine 4-H learning centers (there are four already in Maine) are dedicated to bringing the latest research into communities. These educational programs provide students and the community opportunities to be involved directly with very exciting and valuable cutting-edge research and education. Also, the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab will partner with the schools, local non-profits and businesses. The intent is to build a community education program serving the needs and interests of Bridgton and the region.
For more information about the project and to Donate go to: https://extension.umaine.edu/4hfoundation/magic-lantern/or Google Magic Lantern Innovation Lab.
Or mail your check payable to the UMaine 4H Foundation, mentioning the Magic Lantern Project, to York Complex #1, Orono, Maine 04469. The first $10,000 raised will be matched by the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club.
“This is one of the biggest projects the Rotary Club has ever supported,” said Rotary President Jessica Putnam when she and Dave Barker, the Rotary Club’s Project Leader met recently. “It will benefit our children and grandchildren in the years to come.”
Barker, a longtime Rotarian, said, “I’ve lived here all my life. I know the community will come through. They have in the past for many community-based projects. When we heard about this effort, we felt it was something we Rotarians wanted to get behind. And, decided to pull from our reserves for this worthy initiative.”
For more information about Rotary and the Club’s activities, contact Jessica Putnam or Dave Barker at lakeregionrotary@gmail.com. Also visit the Club’s website at www.LakeRegionRotary.comor its Facebook page.
