Invest in Maine's Economy

From boat building on the coast to wood composite research in the northern forest, Maine is growing innovative businesses and attracting an increasingly entrepreneurial workforce. At the same time, inconsistent and under-funded economic development policies have kept us from realizing our full economic potential.

In order to secure sustainable prosperity, the Brookings Report recommends a bold investment in our state's economy: a $25 million-a-year bond fund for job-creating research and development in promising new sectors. The Legislature is currently considering a bond that would provide two years' worth of funding at this level, but Maine still needs a long-term strategy to sustain these crucial investments.

The Legislature is considering bond proposals TODAY, with a vote expected by 4 PM on Wednesday, April 4. Your responses in the next 24 hours will be critical. Please use the form below to contact your Legislators and let them know why a Research and Development Bond package is important to you, your business, and the future of our state.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Invest in Maine's Economy

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I hope you will support research and development funding in this year's bond package.

The GrowSmart-Brookings Report endorsed bold investments in our innovation economy as the best way to attract better jobs, new businesses, and increased tax revenue statewide.

While the current two-year bond proposal is an important first step, the Legislature should also support strategies to sustain research and development spending through the long term.

Thank you for supporting Maine's innovation economy.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 03, 2007

Background Information

Invest in Maine's resourcefulness and creativity

Maine is beginning to produce the high-wage jobs of tomorrow. Firms specializing in biotechnology, precision manufacturing, and other high-tech sectors are growing, while Maine's traditional industries are finding new markets and added value through innovations like organic farming and composite wood products.

The Brookings Institution has recommended that Maine should create a $200 million Innovation Jobs Fund to grow more jobs through innovation, the driving force in modern economies. Of that, a recommended $25 million per year would be spent on job-creating research and development initiatives. Maine is already supporting small clusters of innovative, high-value businesses. With a little help, these exceptional efforts could become the norm in biotech, organic farming, eco-tourism, green building and a variety of other emerging sectors that have real promise.

For more information:

Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Maine Office of Innovation
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
"In Composites, A Cluster Is Key" (Portland Press Herald article on Maine's emerging industrial clusters)