NEWS | Report shows Maine’s economy is lagging with opportunities on the horizon

Local businesses are feeling an economic pinch, but a new report provides suggested action steps that could improve Maine’s overall economy

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Against the backdrop of a mill building that was converted into housing, retail and other small businesses — several of Maine’s leading business advocates gathered in Saco Tuesday to announce the findings of a new report about Maine’s economy and the challenges facing large and small businesses from Caribou to Kittery.

The Maine Economic Vision 2035 report outlines some key strategies and ideas about how to improve the state’s economic climate by prioritizing housing, competitive wages and a stronger focus on often overlooked indicators such as grade school reading metrics.

The new report provides a road map and suggestions about how local and state government officials can foster an atmosphere that returns Maine as a business leader among the six New England states.

**HOW DO WE MOVE MAINE FORWARD?** Yellow Light Breen, president of the Maine Development Foundation, is flanked by former commissioner Heather Johnson, Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and Maine State Chamber President Patrick Woodcock during a Tuesday press conference about a new report that charts a suggested course for economic health. | *Seaver photo*

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Presented by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Development Foundation and a former commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, the Maine Economic Vision 2035 report’s data-driven recommendations and survey results could be a useful tool for local leaders and for aspiring state leaders, including several gubernatorial and legislative candidates, said Yellow Light Breen, president of the Maine Development Foundation.

“We have to be laser focused on creativity and collaboration,” Breen said shortly after Tuesday’s press conference. “We have strong assets and loads of potential in Maine, but we need to work across channels and traditional barriers to build a stronger, sustainable economy.”

In short, Breen said state government and business leaders need to focus on collaboration, remain open to new ideas and be willing to rethink new strategies in a rapidly shifting economy.

Jim Albert, the owner of the Cowbell Burger restaurant on Main Street in Biddeford, did not attend Tuesday’s media event, but said he was not surprised by some of the findings outlined in the new report.

**LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS** say they are feeling the pinch of a lagging statewide economy while also dealing with local challenges that are making increasingly difficult for businesses to thrive. | *Seaver photo*

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“Too often, there seems to be a disconnect between various levels of government and those of us in the private sector who are willing to invest in local economies, create jobs and new opportunities,” Albert said.

Although he owns several small businesses in southern Maine, Albert said his Biddeford restaurant is facing steep economic challenges, most notably an arduous recovery from last year’s traffic and parking impacts that were caused by a six-month sewer upgrade project.

Albert said his business experienced an approximate 50 percent whack because of decreased consumer spending during the sewer project, an estimate shared by many other downtown business owners, including Dupuis Hardware and Mulligan’s Tavern.

“We want to be in Biddeford,” but it feels like it’s getting harder and harder for us to feel optimistic about the future,” Albert said, wondering about many of his small business neighbors who are also located in the downtown area.

“It feels like it’s getting harder
and harder for us to feel optimistic
about the future.”
— Jim Albert, owner Cowbell

While not specifically mentioning any specific community, Patrick Woodcock – president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce – said smaller communities need coordinated resources and strategies to guide them in their own economic growth goals.

“We’re all in this together,” Woodcock said.

Statewide challenges and opportunities

Woodcock said the Maine Economic Vision 2035 is intended not simply to identify issues, “but to outline actionable steps to set Maine on a trajectory of long-term competitiveness, innovation, and opportunity.”

According to the report’s sponsors, Maine Economic Vision 2035 is grounded in employer outreach, economic research, and stakeholder engagement from across the state and is intended to serve as a long-term framework for economic growth and competitiveness.”

Although Maine is currently lagging behind other New England states in terms of economic health, there are some bright spots on the horizon.

“Maine businesses want to be here, Maine investors want to be part of the Maine economy,” said Heather Johnson, former commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. “It’s really time for us to build confidence and a willingness to build the right conditions for their success.”

The full Maine Economic Vision 2035 report and executive summary are available here | Maine Economic Vision 2035

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