A significant milestone for Ellsworth and Hancock County was celebrated today, Tuesday, July 7, 2026, as community leaders, state officials, members of the Maine Judicial Branch, project partners, and residents gathered to officially break ground on the new Hancock Judicial Center.
Hosted by Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill, the ceremony marked the beginning of construction on a modern courthouse that will serve Hancock County for generations to come. The new Judicial Center represents a major investment in the future of our region and reflects years of planning, collaboration, and partnership.
Representing the City of Ellsworth, City Council Chair Patrick Lyons welcomed attendees and spoke about the importance of working together to bring transformative projects to life.
“Today’s ceremony is about much more than breaking ground on a new building,” Lyons said. “It represents what can happen when organizations come together with a shared vision and a willingness to work through challenges to create something lasting.”
The City also recognized the many partners who helped make today’s milestone possible, including the Maine Judicial Branch, the Wardwell family, Bob Merrill, and numerous local organizations whose collaboration helped move the project forward.
A special thank you to Chief Justice Valerie Stanfill for her inspiring remarks, City Council Chair Patrick Lyons for representing the City of Ellsworth, and to our incredible Public Works team, whose hard work constructing the access road helped make today’s ceremony possible.
The City of Ellsworth is proud to welcome this important investment to our community and looks forward to watching the Hancock Judicial Center take shape in the months ahead.
Congratulations to everyone who played a role in making today a success.
