Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) officially launched a new era in delivering essential services across Aroostook County today with the rollout of its Mobile Service Unit (MSU). The event introducing the new mobile office was held jointly with a ribbon cutting for the new CONNECT Space in Van Buren. These innovative initiatives are designed to address long-standing transportation barriers and increase access to critical programs for residents in Maine’s most rural and underserved areas.
The event, held at 51 Main Street in Van Buren—the site of the town’s new Community Connectivity HUB—drew community leaders, local officials, ACAP representatives, and residents eager to see the fully equipped outreach vehicle and state-of-the-art digital access space. U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who secured Congressionally Directed Funding for the Mobile Service Unit for ACAP greeted those gathered with a special video message speaking about the importance of the unit to meet the needs of the most vulnerable in Aroostook County and to connect people in rural communities with opportunities for employment, nutrition, heating assistance and other programs.
“This marks a pivotal shift in how we meet the needs of our community,” said Jason Parent, ACAP Executive Director/CEO. “Serving a County larger than Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, with a dispersed population and limited transportation infrastructure, requires innovation. The MSU is more than a vehicle—it’s a commitment to all of the communities and people across our region, allowing us to bring comprehensive services directly to where they live.”
The Mobile Service Unit functions as an office on wheels. It is capable of delivering a wide range of services including energy and housing assistance, employment coaching, nutrition programs like WIC, early childhood education outreach, and more. The retrofitted recreational vehicle was customized locally with Frenchville-based Autotronics and Limestone/Presque Isle-based Boulevard Graphix customizing the unit to meet its repurposed needs.
“The pandemic taught us that removing barriers like transportation drastically improves access and engagement,” said Parent. “And yet, when remote-only services were no longer permitted, we needed a new way to connect face-to-face. The MSU helps us strike that balance and ensure no household is left behind.”
Sue Powers, ACAP Director of Strategic Initiatives, emphasized how the MSU supports ACAP’s Whole Family and Comprehensive Service Delivery model. “We now have the ability to provide wraparound services in one visit,” said Powers. “Whether it’s nutrition, employment, housing, or health-related needs, the MSU allows us to assess and respond to the full range of supports a family may need—on the spot, in their own community.”
The event also celebrated the opening of the CONNECT Space, a newly renovated digital access room in Van Buren equipped with high-speed internet, computer workstations, and virtual meeting technology. The space will be a cornerstone for workforce development, education, and collaboration in the St. John Valley.
Luke Dyer, Van Buren Town Manager, spoke to the significance of both initiatives for his community. “For our residents, especially those without reliable transportation or broadband access, today’s launch and opening brings real solutions to everyday challenges,” said Dyer. “The CONNECT Space and MSU are not just facilities—they are pathways to opportunity, education, and better lives for the people of Van Buren.”
Since launching its branded vehicle fleet in 2024, ACAP has logged over 50,000 miles delivering remote services like home weatherization, workforce development, and WIC nutrition services. The MSU is the next step in this evolution—enhancing visibility, improving operational efficiency, and expanding service delivery to smaller communities where ACAP does not maintain permanent service centers.
Additionally, with fraud against seniors on the rise, the clearly branded MSU and fleet vehicles offer reassurance to residents who want to know that the person arriving at their home is a verified member of the ACAP team.
The MSU is staffed by existing ACAP team members, and will be supported long-term through a strategic blend of program funding, positioning the initiative as a replicable model for other rural regions across the state. In addition, ACAP’s Prevention Services Team will use the MSU for community education and outreach at local events.
A full calendar of locations where the MSU will be offering service connectivity is available here: https://acap-me.org/acap-community-events/ The unit will see walk-up community members in Van Buren on Monday, May 12, and work its way up to Grand Isle on Tuesday, May 13.
