NEWS

National Business and Technology Consulting Firm Partners with State of Maine, Colby College to Open Region’s First-Ever Innovation Center, Further Revitalizing Waterville’s Local Economy

Read the entire Press Release on BusinessWire.

WATERVILLE, Maine, December 9, 2015 — In partnership with the State of Maine and Colby College, Collaborative Consulting, a privately held consulting firm based in Burlington, Mass., announced the opening of a delivery center in Waterville that will create 200 jobs.

Known as Collaborative Waterville, the facility will be located in Waterville’s Hathaway Creative Center. Scheduled to open in January with a first wave of 20 employees, the center will provide Collaborative Consulting clients with digital and data solutions tailored to advance their business strategies and goals.

“Waterville is an ideal fit for us because of its dynamic community, exceptional workforce and impressive educational infrastructure focused on innovation,” said William C. Robichaud, Collaborative Consulting’s founder and CEO. Robichaud noted that many clients have Northeast roots and will benefit from the center’s proximity and alliance with Colby, which will include student internships as well as faculty and staff training, and professional development opportunities.

“By partnering with Colby, we will cultivate an environment of innovation, envisioning what future business environments will look like and creating solutions that address the needs of this rapidly changing digital world,” said Robichaud, adding that Collaborative Waterville will also work with Thomas College and Kennebec Valley Community College to create opportunities for technology and business skills education for students.

Collaborative Consulting leaders were attracted by a partnership spearheaded by Colby College President David A. Greene to bring economic and cultural vitality to the area. The efforts have begun to draw investors to Main Street, and Colby has made several investments in downtown.

“This city has so much to offer, and it’s gratifying that Collaborative Consulting was attracted to Waterville for the reasons so many of us are—three colleges, a growing arts and cultural focus, a Main Street with terrific potential,” said Colby President Greene. “When Colby began partnering with the city and others on revitalization efforts, we knew that sustained economic development would be critical to supporting the long-term needs of the people of Waterville and central Maine. Introducing 200 jobs in Waterville will have a tremendous impact on efforts currently underway to bring new vitality to downtown.”

Governor Paul LePage added that the arrival of Collaborative Consulting to central Maine will add another chapter to the growing success and revitalization of the City of Waterville, noting that the State of Maine has been working with the private sector to attract software development, digital media and information technology employers across the state.

“When partnerships with educational institutions and businesses like Collaborative form within communities, there are economic and social benefits, which makes it a place where people want to live, work and play,” said Governor LePage. “We wish Collaborative Consulting well on this new chapter in their story, we know they will find success with the highly skilled and creative talent in the Waterville area. These jobs are high-paying careers that will benefit families and the community for years to come.”

“Collaborative Consulting’s decision to grow their business in Waterville is great news and is a testament to the ingenuity and vast potential of our state’s workforce,” Senator Angus King said. “I applaud Collaborative’s vision and commitment to add high-paying 21^st century jobs in Maine, to build on the TechHire effort, and to enhance the vibrant entrepreneurial partnerships led by Colby, Thomas, and Kennebec Valley Community Colleges that will help strengthen communities in central Maine.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Collaborative Consulting to central Maine,” said Maine Second District Congressman Bruce Poliquin. “They have made a smart decision in expanding their business here and hiring Mainers, who are known for their work ethic and excellent skills and service. I want to thank Collaborative Consulting for their huge investment in this region and for bringing 200 good-paying jobs to the area.”

About Collaborative Consulting
Headquartered in Massachusetts with more than 450 consultants across the East Coast, Collaborative is equipped to deliver user-centric innovative digital and data solutions that reimagine businesses and achieve results.

Collaborative and its clients share a common vision: one where optimal, intuitive and powerful digital transformations not only set the pace of change for today, but define where the future will take us. With over 15 years of experience helping the brightest brands realize their digital, technology and data initiatives, Collaborative delivers business results with the speed, precision, and quality that few firms can achieve.

Collaborative understands that every user interaction must be elegant, contextual, measurable, and infused with the right data and analytics to result in an optimal experience. For more information about Collaborative, visit: www.collaborative.com.

About Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 56 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 1,850 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its location in Waterville, Maine, provides easy access to world-class research institutions and opportunities, as well as significant civic engagement and arts experiences.

More about Colby’s commitment to downtown Waterville is at www.colby.edu/downtown.