mark ouellette - mobilize maine
TRANSCRIPT
— 1 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Mobilize Maine: GrowSmart Summit
October 23, 20127:30am – 5:00pm
Augusta Civic Center
— 2 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Who said this about Maine?
“An inconsistent economic development stance over many years has weakened the state’s efforts to improve its economy”
— 3 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Sense of Urgency- Why is this important?
• The economic development delivery system was not working and not producing the results that were needed to move the economy forward
• If the Maine economy had performed at the national average over the past 20 years, this state would have 200,000 more jobs right now
• We are the oldest state in the nation, AND more importantly, we are getting older
• Where is the future workforce going to come from?
• There is a skills gap problem- jobs available do not match the skills of people looking for work
• Percentage of New England population age 25 and older who hold an Associates, Bachelor’s or advanced degree 43.4%- Maine?- 35.7%
— 4 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
What is Mobilize Maine?• A new economic development strategy• Driven by local leadership in partnership with the economic
development districts• Goal of creating good paying jobs • Measurable• Assets vs. Needs approach
Mobilize Maine: Defines regional uniqueness, one size does not fit all Is a consistent CED approach, across all regions of the state Is Grassroots based, a bottom up approach Invites strong private sector participation Is results oriented, action driven
— 5 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Economic Development Districts
Key:NMDC - Northern Maine Development Commission
EMDC – Eastern Maine Development Corporation
KVCOG – Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
AVCOG – Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments
MCEDD – Mid-Coast Economic Development District
SMRPC – Southern Maine Economic Development District
GPCOG- Portland-Lakes Economic Development District
Mobilize MaineEmpowering Maine’s citizens to take control and stewardship of
their economic future
— 6 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
What are we trying to accomplish?
Maine’s Measures In Focus,
Innovation Index
ViTAL Economy Core Economic
Indicators
2017 Regional Economic Vision2017 Regional Economic Vision
Per Capita Income
Maine GDP Growth
Internet Subscriptions
Bachelors Degrees/ 25 years & older
Population
Labor Participation Rate
Average Wage
Regional Issues of Challenge and
Opportunity
TBD by regional leaders
2017 Maine Statewide Economic Vision2017 Maine Statewide Economic Vision
Linkage
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it" ViTAL Economy“If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it" ViTAL Economy
— 7 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Northern Maine Development Commission
• Engaged over 65 firms and 100s of citizens in their Mobilize Maine process
• Received a $1.9 million federal grant (one of 20 nationwide) to support their renewable energy strategy
• They have identified a manufacturing cluster and are beginning to put a strategy together around that sector
• They are nationally recognized for their partnership with the private sector, the Aroostook Partnership for Progress
— 8 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Eastern Maine Development Corporation• Organized over a dozen regional organizations who have all adopted
the Mobilize Maine goals
• They are a first in the nation model for integrating economic and workforce development, one of only a handful of districts
• Were leaders and supported the $65 million Bangor Auditorium project– Ultimately will create 600-800 jobs– Reinforced one of their MM action groups, Gateway to Northern
Maine
• Brought educators together to create better synergy and advance sector strategies as the jobs of the future for young people
— 9 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Greater Portland Council of Governments
• They are still working through identifying their unique assets– Sappi? Who knew?
• Committed to putting people together to achieve results
• Something unique, working on regulatory reform– Planning board training
— 10 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission
• Assembled an outstanding Leadership team with major players in the region coming together– PNSY– Hospitals– UNE
• Created a Workforce Action team to help manufactures fill jobs available right now – 10 week training program to create ‘qualified
applicants”
• Working on a plan to infuse $10 million in new capital in the region
— 11 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
We need your help! Get involved!
Energize the Mobilize Southern Maine initiative
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
