The Brookings Institution hired the Maine Development Foundation (MDF) to do a critical review of Maine’s economic development efforts over the past three decades. By assessing what policies and programs have moved Maine’s economy forward and which efforts have had less of a positive impact, MDF hopes to shed some light on policies, practices and program implementation strategies that will inform decision-makers going forward and enable the investment of Maine’s limited economic development resources to yield the very highest returns for the Maine economy.  The background research on this topic included:

• A review of the formal economic development reports, strategies and inaugural addresses over the period,
• Interviews of Maine’s living governors who served over this period of time,
• Interviews with key economic development officials and experts,
• An email survey of over 500 Maine business, non-profit, government and education leaders.

The information in the report reflects the ideas and insights of nearly 100 individuals who care deeply about Maine and its future.