NORWAY – A group of young professional people from the Oxford Hills area will meet Friday night at Cafe Nomad to kickoff a statewide initiative in their own backyard.

Kelsey Jewell, executive director of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, said she created the group named “oh!” for people between the ages of 20 and 40 who are living, working and invested in the Oxford Hills community.

Jewell said the idea for the group is based on the Realize! Maine initiative of the Maine Development Foundation. The program was started in 2005 as an outcome of Gov. John Baldacci’s Summit on Youth Migration held in 2004. More than 300 young people came together at that summit to discuss options for making Maine a viable place for young people to live and work.

The chamber’s group is an offshoot of that effort and joins other groups across the state in trying to empower people ages 20 to 40 by connecting them with the right opportunities and to encourage them to become invested in their communities, Jewell said.

The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cafe Nomad, 450 Main St.

“We couldn’t ask for a better venue,” Jewell said.

Cafe Nomad recently opened at Main and Bridge streets offering beverages, home-baked muffins and breads, sandwiches, soups and salads plus a library of books and wireless Internet connection.

Jewell said the kick-off event will include prizes, music and a chance for everyone to bring a beverage from their favorite part of the world.

The event is being supported by contributions from Grover Gundrilling of Norway and Cafe Nomad.

Anyone who would like to attend should call the chamber at 743-2281.