Middlesex EDA approves $5,000 match for VA250 speakers and gala

The Middlesex County Economic Development Authority voted unanimously Feb. 9 to contribute $5,000 to support VA250 speaker events and the committee's planned closing gala. Ms. White, chair of Middlesex VA250, told the EDA the speaker series will feature Adrienne Whaley and Andrew Lawler with accompanying student presentations; each speaker event is estimated to cost between $3,700 and $4,000, and the committee expects the remainder to support a July 2026 finale.

Chairman John Anzivino said the EDA's contribution would match the $5,000 the Board of Supervisors approved on Feb. 3. The motion to approve the EDA contribution was made by Anton Webre, seconded by James Reed and carried unanimously. The board also discussed related Tall Ships plans; Mr. Collamore advised that the Tall Ships program has been postponed and that discussions are underway to host the Maine Maritime Association's Floating Classroom in Deltaville for dockside tours and a reception at an estimated cost of $1,000 or less.