“Charting Maine’s Future” in the news December 1
Check out GrowSmart’s latest “Charting the Course” column in Mainebiz. “Better Branding” explores how Maine’s public-sector economic development agencies are focusing on enhancing Maine’s “quality of place” assets in order to attract new jobs and businesses.
“All kinds of businesses — not just L.L. Bean, but also hunting camps, boat builders, bed and breakfasts, wedding caterers, furniture makers, horror novelists and thousands of others — have been making hay from the Maine brand for decades. This romantic idea of Maine also helps attract talented workers and businesses who bring their talents and incomes into our economy.”
Also, Ron Bancroft takes a look at how the gubernatorial race is shaping up in his column in today’s Portland Press Herald.
“What we do know is that the key issue in the campaign will be the economy and how to position Maine for job growth.
“The state desperately needs a real growth plan. With more jobs, many things are possible, without them the state will continue a slow downward spiral as chronic budget deficits and an aging workforce make needed investment for the future unlikely.”
Whether any of the candidates embrace the economic development plan laid out by the GrowSmart-Brookings Report, or introduce a new strategy, 2010 promises an engaging debate about how to move Maine forward.