The Katahdin Region is a place of deep community pride and incredible natural beauty, but like many rural areas, it faces real challenges. Limited access to healthcare, education, broadband, and workforce opportunities makes it harder for residents to thrive and for communities to remain resilient.
Patten, home to the proposed facility, is a small rural town of 881 residents with a limited tax base. When combined with surrounding towns and unorganized territories, the region serves nearly 4,000 people—many of whom have incomes below the state average and face higher-than-average poverty rates. Existing libraries in the region are part-time and unable to provide the modern, shared services communities need.
This project will create a regional hub for workforce development, entrepreneurship, telehealth, broadband access, and cultural programming—serving 12 towns across northern Penobscot and southern Aroostook counties. Designed to be more than a traditional library, the facility will include coworking space, soundproof rooms, a makerspace, a commercial kitchen, and a large community meeting room.
The region also welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year to nearby lakes, Baxter State Park’s northern entrance, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument—a number expected to grow in the coming years. As the service center for the northern Katahdin Region, Patten is the ideal place for a shared community space that supports residents, welcomes visitors, and strengthens the region for the future.
Population of 824 (according to 2022 census data)
* Limited library access (10 hours a week)
Whether it’s interviewing for a job, completing a research project, connecting with loved ones, or applying for benefits, we know that having access to fast, free, reliable computers and internet service is vital to the future growth and sustainability of the region.