Economic Development
Maine’s heritage lies in our natural resources. It is our legacy and the focal point of our future. People came to Maine because of its tree, fish, rivers, fertile land, and beautiful landscapes. They brought their knowledge, skills, hard work and entrepreneurship to build this state. Those assets are still the strength of our economy today. The challenge is continually adapting those strengths to an ever-changing technology-based global economy.
Together, we have made great strides to modernize our economy. Today Maine exports more paper than it ever has. Our boat building industry is globally competitive with everything from DD1 Destroyers for the Navy to top of the line luxury yachts. Our biotechnology companies are leaders in diagnostic testing. Our aquaculture, agriculture and fishing industries are known globally for the high quality of their products.
As Governor I am prepared to meet this new challenge, by building on Maine’s natural resources in new ways – bio-fuel generation integrated with our paper mills, using what was once waste in the paper-making process, windmills that are not only erected here, but are built here from stanchion to turbine to blades, green houses and aquaculture farms that produce high quality food for the New England market; energy efficient, affordable, and not so affordable housing; new cancer and other life saving treatments based on the biomedical and diagnostic research companies, new opportunities for tourists to explore and enjoy what keeps us all in Maine.
We must leave conventions behind and train individuals to be able to compete and be productive in our modern economy. I understand the value of lifelong learning – I graduated from law school when I was 64! Our workforce development and economic development initiatives must be more integrated for businesses and workers to succeed. As Governor, I will make sure our workforce training and re-training systems are flexible so they can respond to the ever-changing needs of today’s economy.
My vision for Maine is to build on the best of what we have – bright ideas, talented, hard-working people, quality education, and abundant natural resources. We cannot accomplish everything overnight, but we must to work together to accomplish anything.
Building our economy is all about partnerships. As Governor, I will continue to build those partnerships between government, industry, education, and labor. My proven leadership in building principled consensus is central to ensuring these partnerships work for Maine, and for Maine people.
How will we do it?
Training & Education: Maine gets millions of dollars a year through the US Department of Labor to help retrain dislocated workers. These funds all follow the participant to help them develop new skills. But it is too disjointed and disconnected from the state’s economic and education systems. As Governor, I will work closely with the workforce investment boards, industry and educational institutions to ensure programs, retraining funds, and educational opportunities are not only meeting the needs of the workers, but of the industries that are looking for high skilled workers.
Similar to Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program, Maine needs to align workforce training more closely with industry needs, accelerate worker retraining and knowledge building, and better align its economic development goals with its workforce development programs. Businesses cannot succeed without skilled workers, and workers cannot succeed without healthy businesses. Maine has to connect its educational and economic development systems into one that works for both people and the companies that can employ them.
Focus on Energy: The pieces of the energy puzzle are all here in Maine. The University of Maine’s new marine wind center combined with the world-class composite laboratory is the national leader in the development of offshore wind. Maine’s composite companies – all of which are Maine-owned – are poised to branch out into this new kind of manufacturing. Cianbro and Bath Iron Works are interested in the development of off shore platforms, and the redevelopment of Brunswick Naval Air Station provides a unique opportunities to bring all these parts, along with a strong education component lead by the Community Colleges and the University’s engineering school, together. Maine can take advantage of this unique opportunity.
It is important that we invest in the arts as a core component of our economic vision for the future. Exposure to arts and culture in the classroom will create the next generation of innovators. Already, Maine is above average in this field and it is important that we keep it that way. The next generation must be receive the education necessary to help them guide this wonderful state into the future. As Governor, I will foster patient, value-laden investment in the long-term well being of our state and its growth. I will encourage the integration of technology and more traditional business models so our artisans can access out of state market; in doing so helping our tourism industry grow. I will not discount the innovation of our people and the constant need to invest in homegrown industry and business. Maine has a great future ahead of it and the creative economy will help lead the way to a robust economy.
Finally, the significance of tourism to our economy cannot be over-stated; Maine is a destination state, thanks to our stunning natural attractions that extend from our gorgeous coast to our pristine forests and mountains. We have opportunities for sportsmen and nature enthusiasts, as well as for beachcombers and skiers. We offer rich cultural and dining opportunities, as well as a quiet place for folks to get-away and relax. It is essential for us to promote these opportunities both at home and across the country. This is why we included $4 Million for tourism promotion in the tax reform legislation we passed. There is more to be done. Tourism is also an example of an industry towards which we should target our workforce training and development programs, to ensure that Mainers are well equipped to realize the full potential of this growing industry.
