Mills Administration Releases Updated Ten Year Economic Development Strategy

Mills Administration Releases Updated Ten Year Economic Development Strategy

Strategy revised to build on early progress toward goals set in 2019

East Boothbay, MAINE - Economic & Community Development Commissioner Heather Johnson today unveiled a comprehensive update to Maine's 10-Year Economic Development Strategy that reflects and builds upon progress made towards Maine's 2030 economic goals.

Unveiled by Governor Janet Mills in late 2019, Maine's non-partisan 10-year economic development strategy set out to grow and diversify Maine's economy by fostering collaboration among the public, private, non-profit, and education sectors. It was the first document of its kind in more than two decades.

Since its release, Maine has experienced record economic growth, leading New England and outperforming larger states like California, New York, and Virginia. The revised strategy reflects the significant changes that have occurred in Maine's economic landscape during the plan's first five years, and builds upon early progress made toward Maine's long-term economic goals.

"After decades at the bottom of the pack, Maine now leads New England in economic growth because of our hardworking people, innovative entrepreneurs, and strategic investments by my Administration in the success of Maine people," said Governor Janet Mills. "This update to Maine's 10-Year Economic Development Strategy lays out a plan to harness Maine's recent economic success, address lingering challenges, and build a Maine economy poised for future prosperity."

"Maine's economy has a place for everyone, and we need everyone to participate in order to succeed," said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. "Leveraging the great work being done by stakeholders across Maine and the progress we have made so far, these updated project streams will continue our momentum and make a real difference for Maine people."

"First published in 2019, Maine's 10-year economic plan provided a clear roadmap for developing Maine's workforce. What also happened almost immediately, was the world of work was drastically changed by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. "Because our strategic plan was already in place, Maine was in a unique position to quickly put federal relief funds into action. So much has been accomplished since then. This updated plan will keep us moving toward our shared vision for a thriving economy where everyone is included, has access to good paying jobs, and has a clear career pathway to prosperity."

When it was released five years ago, Maine's economic development strategy set three overarching economic goals for Maine to reach by 2030: growing the average annual wage by 10 percent; increasing the value of products sold per worker by 10 percent; and bringing 75,000 people into Maine's talent pool.

Since 2018, wages for Maine workers have grown by 10%. The value of goods sold per worker has increased by 13%. Maine's talent pool has grown by more than 13,000 people since 2018. The updated strategy-the result of months of stakeholder engagement led by the Department of Economic & Community Development and the State Workforce Board-makes necessary adjustments to sustain progress and keep Maine on track to meet its 2030 economic goals.

The updated strategy recommits to priorities that remain critical to building a strong Maine economy-including building strong career pathways and increasing renewable energy production. It emphasizes growing needs, like addressing the lack of housing, and builds upon actions taken by the Mills Administration to strengthen our workforce in recent years, such as the nationally celebrated free community college programproposed by Governor Mills and approved by the legislature in 2022.

Implementation of the plan has been driven by communities and organizations across Maine, through DECD partnerships with the private, education, non-profit sectors, and labor organizations, leveraging federal and private dollars wherever possible, with support from the state.

Today's announcement was made at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and President & CEO Deborah Bronk, PhD, highlighted how the organization's innovation and workforce development efforts align with the strategy.

"Bigelow Laboratory draws diverse scientists from around the globe and provides a state-of-the-art research platform that empowers them to make ocean discoveries and create solutions for the health and prosperity of our state, nation, and planet," Bronk said. "We're working toward a better future through the incredible opportunities we find in the ocean, and we help equip others to do the same through inspirational educational and professional development courses for students and scientists of all ages."

More than 600 Maine people contributed to the updated plan's development through stakeholder engagement sessions held across Maine through the summer and fall of 2023.

"The Maine State Chamber of Commerce appreciates the efforts of the Mills Administration under the leadership of Commissioner Johnson to continue to develop and implement a state economic development strategy, as well as the continued emphasis on addressing our demographic challenges, expanding Maine's workforce, and making key investments in workforce development. Going forward, the Maine State Chamber will continue to prioritize support for the policies that address our fundamental economic competitiveness, increase private sector research and development, and strategically focus on key comparative advantages in our forest-products industry, ocean economy, and life sciences," said Patrick Woodcock, President & CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

"Talent and innovation remains central to Maine's updated 10-year economic strategy and to the mission of Maine's public universities," said University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy. "No other institution in the state is more essential to enabling the plan's goals to grow wages and productivity and attract new workers than the University of Maine System, and we remain committed to doing so. The State's refreshed economic strategy and our own new System strategic plan are invaluable roadmaps to guide the public university programming, partnerships and investment necessary to improve the prosperity of all Maine people and of Maine's economy and communities."

"Maine's innovation ecosystem is more vibrant than ever, with world-class research institutions across the state including our public universities contributing, collaborating and commercializing in exciting new ways that are good for Maine and its place in the global economy," said University of Maine System Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, who also chairs the Maine Innovation Economy Advisory Board. "With the original 10-year plan and this data-driven update, the Mills Administration has rightly recognized the role of research and development in driving further economic growth and opportunity, and recommitted to promoting the partnerships and public and private investments necessary to further diversify and grow innovation activity and its positive and direct impact on all Mainers. We look forward to our continued work with the Governor, the Legislature, Maine's Congressional Delegation and our industry and institutional science and technology partners to make the progress we know is possible."

"Maine's updated 10-year economic strategy highlights the critical role of talent and innovation in securing a prosperous and innovative economy. At the Maine Community College System, we are perfectly positioned to help implement, support, and guide these efforts. Growing and developing our talent pipeline is essential to expanding housing, providing childcare, and investing in our transportation infrastructure. Maine's community colleges develop these skills for Maine people in real-time, every day," said David Daigler, President of the Maine Community College System.

"Our mission is to actively drive the state's workforce strategies by expanding access to training and education that meet business and industry needs. As we continue to implement this strategic vision, our commitment is clear: to reach Mainers across the state and equip them with the skills necessary for todays and the future's job markets. This administration's leadership continues to be the pivotal force necessary in cultivating a thriving, successful economy for Maine," said Dan Belyea, Chief Workforce Development Officer for the Maine Community College System and the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine's Workforce.

A copy of the plan can be found HERE.

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