Skowhegan Savings recently made a $10,000 donation to SEDC, which (Left to right) Jim Batey, Amber Lambke and John Witherspoon outside the old jail and future grist mill in downtown Skowhegan, supports projects like this throughout the county. The bank's charitable giving focuses on economic development and financial literacy, the former which is the driving force behind Lambke's efforts. "I see this as an important step in the revitalization of Somerset County," she noted.

She intends the finished building to not only house a grist mill that will process 250 tons of bread wheat, oats, spelt and rye, but also provide retail space for local artisans, a commercial kitchen and a café with outdoor seating. The mill itself will likely create new jobs, but with the other enterprises she hopes to attract, additional positions will be created as well.

Lambke and her business partner, Michael Scholz, a baker and wheat grower from Albion, are hoping to revitalize grain growing in the region and be a milling resource for growers and bakers throughout New England. Lambke is one of the founders of the Kneading Conference, an annual event begun in 2007 which is growing in popularity and one that will be hosted in Skowhegan on July 29 and 30 in 2010.

The renovations have a long way to go, but Lambke's plan is progressing and she and Scholz are working with local contractors and architects to make the needed changes to go from jail cells to functional mill and retail space. It is a project that has attracted a lot of attention for its scope and possibility to bring more economic activity to the town.

"This project is an important part of the revitalization of Skowhegan's downtown," commented Witherspoon. "We are happy to see this innovative and ambitious project that is already creating jobs for local contractors and will be an engine for economic activity in town and throughout our region."