To the editor:
While the rest of the country is making strides toward recovering from the worst recession we’ve experienced, Maine and Aroostook County are continuing to suffer.
Those of us in Aroostook County have seen our friends and family move south because there is no opportunity to work here. People should not have to choose between their hometown and finding a job. And, unfortunately, this population drain seriously impacts the economic viability of The County.
I have great faith in Maine people and the residents of Aroostook County who are hard-working, resourceful, resilient, and possess good values. I know there are solutions to our dilemma, and we can work together to overcome the effect of this terrible recession. But it will require a major change in thinking and operating as well as reevaluating what we do here in Maine, Aroostook County, and other regions of the state.
Maine needs a substantive economic development plan – a plan with goals and objectives that are localized and based on the strengths and weaknesses of each region of the state. To develop such a plan, requires experts to work with business owners and labor in each region as well as community members to determine the types of economic activity that can best fit a particular region. In other words, we may need to make significant changes in what we are doing and how we are doing it in Maine, Aroostook County, and other regions of the state.
An approach like this should consider a new way of thinking that will provide jobs for today and careers for the future. It would also require looking at two sides of the job creation equation: the job creators and the workers. We need to do everything we can to simultaneously attract new business, innovation, and entrepreneurs. And, we need to develop a skilled and trained workforce prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Training and education are vital to this proposal. There must be easy access to education and training in order to undertake this new approach.
Research and development as well as marketing are keys to the success of this approach, Research and development is vital because new products and processes are needed to make this approach work. Right here in Maine, there are two products developed by the University of Maine Engineering Department that have gained worldwide success: the “bridge in a backpack” and “composite building materials.”
Not only must Maine and Aroostook County be able to market the changes to the business sector here, it must be able to market the new services and products to world markets. This will require working with the Maine World Trade Association and providing assistance to businesses that are willing to export.
Aroostook County has two major agricultural industries, potatoes and the woods industry. It is important to strengthen the more successful parts of these industries, and use a different approach to those parts that are struggling. If anything adversely impacts these industries, Aroostook County suffers economically. It is time to expand beyond the traditional economy of Aroostook County and try something more creative that has significant potential.
Several years ago, Karen Mills, who is now the head of the Small Business Administration, introduced a new approach to Maine’s traditional economic development mold. The new approach was applied to Maine’s boat building industry. Businesses involved in providing materials and services to boat builders work together instead of against each other, and all profit by this new approach.
During my years as a legislator, I have worked hard to revitalize northern Maine’s economy. I have fought daily to make sure Maine workers are not left behind. And moving forward, I will continue this endeavor. Next session, I will propose and support legislation that looks at economic development, business assistance, and employee development in non-traditional ways that hold great promise for Maine and its regions. I am recommending a pilot project, starting with Aroostook County, as the part of the state to test this approach.
If any readers have ideas based on a different approach that should be considered, I would like to hear from you. Remember, nothing ventured – nothing gained.
Sen. Troy Jackson
Allagash
