Community Spotlight: Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship

Main Street Skowhegan, one of MDF”s Maine Downtown center nationally recognized Main Street Maine communities, was featured in the latest edition of the National Main Street blog for their Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship. “After engaging 135 business owners and hearing positive feedback from a significant percentage of them, Main Street Skowhegan began searching for a space to lease and hired a new staff member to run the Center. ‘It’s important to have data, a plan, and strategies for success before applying for funding,” said Kristina Cannon, Main Street Skowhegan Executive Director. ‘Start small and figure out how to make the budget work to ensure future sustainability.'”

Read the full story.

Earth Day 2022: Water Quality and its Critical Impact on the Maine Economy

As we acknowledge and celebrate the 52nd Earth Day, Maine has much to be proud of and much work to do. Recognizing we are living on unceded lands of the Wabanaki people, we can continue to learn from their wisdom and adopt their approaches to environmental stewardship. In this spirit, we can also channel our inner Ed Muskie.

On April 22, 1970, Muskie was serving U.S. Senator from Maine. Assigned early on to the Public Works Committee – considered inconsequential at the time – Muskie seized the opportunity to tackle environmental causes and turned the Committee into a voice for clean air and water in the U.S.

His dogged efforts had already earned him the nickname “Mr. Clean” and resulted in fundamental environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act, passed later in 1970, and which Muskie considered his greatest achievement.

The cause of clean water struck equally close to home. Having grown up in Rumford on the Androscoggin River – considered one of if not the most polluted river in the U.S. during the late 1960s – Muskie dedicated himself to legislation that would regulate and enforce cleanup of the nation’s waters. This became the 1972 Clean Water Act.

Upon its enactment, Muskie said, “High quality water is more than the dream of the conservationists, more than a political slogan; high quality water, in the right quantity at the right place at the right time, is essential to health, recreation, and economic growth.”

MDF invites you to explore the Measures of Growth database and in particular this month’s “Indicator in Focus”, Water Quality. We hope it can be a tool to learn more about environmental aspects of the Maine economy, and ways we can engage in critical efforts to address the climate crisis.

The Maine Economic Growth Council, which develops the annual Measures of Growth reports, assigned a Gold Star to Water Quality in 2021, recognizing Maine’s “very high national standing and/or established trend toward significant improvement”. This was based on data from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that found Maine’s water quality has remained steady since 2006, with 95% of rivers and streams and 91% of lakes achieving Category 1 or 2 in 2016. Nationally, about 47% of U.S. rivers and streams and 29% of the lakes were rated “good”.

We hope you’ll explore our other Measures of Growth Environmental indicators, too: Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sustainable Forest Lands

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Awards $656,789 in Sub-Grants for Historic Preservation Projects Supporting Economic Development in Maine’s Rural Downtowns

HALLOWELL, ME – April 12, 2022 – MDF’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC) is pleased to award $656,789 through the REvitalizeME Gen2 National Park Service Sub-grant program for four historic preservation projects involving historic downtown buildings in Maine. These projects all support economic development in rural downtowns during this critical time.

“We are pleased to make these awards for catalytic projects in Maine downtowns,” says Anne Ball, Program Director, Maine Downtown Center. “The program set out to drive the connection between economic development and historic preservation. These projects illustrate this in four unique downtowns in four different Maine counties and in four different building types: a library, theater, mill, and former jail.”

The four awards prevailed through a process aimed at identifying new opportunities that will have a fundamental impact on economic revitalization and historic preservation:

  • Colonial Theater, Augusta – $160,229 — for repair of windows and exterior doors
  • Old Hancock County Sheriff’s Home and Jail, Ellsworth – $200,000 — for repair of masonry
  • Porter Memorial Library, Machias – $48,000 — for plans and specifications to add an elevator to make the library accessible for the first time in its history and to redesign interior space
  • Bag Mill, Rumford – $200,000 — roof repair and energy efficiency improvements; $48,560 — forplans andspecifications and a window survey

MDF’s partner in this effort was the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. “We are pleased to be able to support rehabilitation work on several historically significant buildings,” says Kirk Mohney, Director and State Historic Preservation Officer. “The variety of buildings that received awards underscores the rich architectural heritage of Maine’s downtowns.”

The REvitalizeME Gen2 sub-grant program was funded by the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program of the National Park Service, Department of Interior. The objective of the program is to support the rehabilitation of historic properties that will drive economic development in rural communities.

“One of the MDF’s strategic priorities is improving the economic vitality of the state’s downtowns,” says Yellow Light Breen, MDF President and CEO. “Even in difficult economic times, rehabbing our historic properties boosts the long-term prospects for sustaining businesses and jobs in our downtowns. These grants enable downtown historic building owners to be good stewards of their buildings and drive economic development.”

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Six Maine Teams Get $375K Each to Tackle a Major Challenge in Their Area

Six Maine community and regional economic development entities were awarded $375,000 each from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as part of the Working Communities Challenge. The funds will be used to tackle pressing economic challenges. The Boston Fed announced the awards recently to the Greater Bangor, Katahdin, Maine Highlands, Sagadahoc County, Lewiston-Auburn, and Washington County and Passamaquoddy tribe regions.

Read the full article from the Bangor Daily News.

FOR/Maine and Maine Development Foundation Announce Final Phase of Grants for Mill Site Redevelopment in Five Maine Communities

HALLOWELL, ME – February 2, 2022 – FOR/Maine (Maine’s Forest Opportunity Roadmap) – a broad coalition working to diversify the state’s wood-products businesses, attract capital investments, and develop greater economic prosperity for rural communities – and Maine Development Foundation (MDF) are pleased to announce the final phase of grants to five Maine communities impacted by mill closures.

This final $120,000 in funding brings the total amount awarded through the Increasing Prosperity for Maine’s Forest Economy Communities subgrant program to $1.2 million. The funds support redevelopment projects deemed catalytic for the next generation of forest products, especially during the critical transition in global markets. Funding was made possible by awards from the federal Northern Border Regional Commission and the Maine Rural Development Authority.

“This is a model for future work that can be replicated to continue transitioning these economies and make them more diverse and sustainable,” says Charlie Spies, FOR/Maine Communities Committee Chair, and retired CEO of CEI Capital Management. “This approach proves that a coordinated and concerted effort that focuses on regional needs rather than just one group or community can lift all ships and revive century-old, forest-based economies throughout Maine.”

This final round of investment in forest product assets is part of a process that has had fundamental impact on economic revitalization:

  • Ashland – $20,000 to conduct engineering studies that will help prepare a 94-acre, former manufacturing campus for a new generation of industrial uses.
  • East Millinocket – $30,000 to complete site planning on a vast section of greenfields on the Penobscot River as part of the redevelopment of the 215-acre former Great Northern Paper site.
  • Lincoln – $20,000 to update Maine Department of Environmental Protection permits for several facilities in the former Lincoln Paper & Tissue campus to be repurposed for modern uses.
  • Madison – $30,000 to update the engineering study and business model for industrial-grade waste-water processing at the former Madison Paper complex to convert agricultural and municipal waste into a renewable natural gas and power Timber HD’s nearby factory.
  • Millinocket – $20,000 for electrical and heating studies of latent buildings in the Great Northern Paper complex to help determine future repurposing options.

“We are so grateful for the ongoing critical funding to make East Millinocket an even better place to live and work,” says Angela Cote, Administrative Assistant to the East Millinocket Selectboard. “We appreciate the tireless efforts of MDF to assist municipalities hit hardest by the closure of paper mills over the past several years. MDF’s collaboration with the Northern Border Regional Commission and the Maine Rural Development Authority has resulted in direct funding to help former mill towns rebuild.”

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and Maine Rural Development Authority (MRDA) fund the grant program. They program is administered by the Maine Development Foundation, which staffs the FOR/Maine coalition and is a key partner in the coalition’s work.

“We are excited to play a role in funding this group of projects, and to see these funds go to support innovative efforts to diversify Maine’s forest-economy communities,” says NBRC Executive Director Rich Grogan. “It is also crucial that these investments support new forest products, furthering this industry’s rich tradition in Maine, and across the NBRC region.”

“The forest-products industry has been a critical economic contributor to rural Maine communities for generations, and with the right investments, it can continue to play a vital role in our state for years to come,” said Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Congressman Jared Golden in a joint statement. “The work of the industry-led FOR/Maine initiative has helped position this sector for continued success, and investments in these communities will bolster the development of new sustainable forest products, help support good quality jobs in each region, and take important steps toward our shared goal of revitalizing Maine’s forest economy.”

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Announces Annual Awards for 2021 Standout Community Projects and Individuals

HALLOWELL, MAINE — January 27, 2022  — The Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation (MDF), is thrilled to announce awards for three standout projects and individuals that have made the biggest impacts in our Main Street and Affiliate communities in the past year. The awards were given out during a virtual ceremony this morning.

“These awards highlight the resilience, ingenuity, and creativity of individuals, small business owners, and community organizations who are keeping our downtown economies – and morale – vibrant despite challenges on many fronts, “says Anne Ball, Senior Program Director for MDF’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC). “These efforts are shining examples of inclusivity and quality of place that make Maine’s historic downtowns so magical.”

The Maine Downtown Center (MDC) team gathered nominations for the awards during a competitive process, and proudly announce the following winners:

  • Downtown Hero Award: Heather Pouliot is being recognized for herthree years working tirelessly as Board President of Augusta Downtown Alliance, navigating the group through a complete organizational rebrand, the conversion of Water Street to two-way traffic, and establishing the organization’s first-ever signature event.
  • Downtown Project Award: Friends of Woodfords Corner is being recognizedfor working with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and their “Imagine People Here Project”, as well as the City of Portland, to install a demonstration project around the intersection of Deering Avenue and Revere Street with the goal of calming traffic flow and creating a safer space for pedestrian crossing.
  • Innovation Award: Rockland Main Street is being recognized fortheir youth engagement work, conducted with the critical support of their Main Street Fellow Maggie Hirshland. Their approach included extensive outreach and collaboration with community members and organizations that had not previously been involved with Main Street.

“When moving back to Maine, I vowed to give back to my community and make it somewhere I would be proud to live and call my home,” says Heather Pouliot, winner of the 2021 Downtown Hero Award. “Please come visit downtown Augusta and see the growth that we have experienced over the last few years!”

The Maine Downtown Center Awards serve as inspiration statewide for communities and individuals working on downtown revitalization. They recognize outstanding efforts in communities which are part of MDF’s Maine Downtown Center program.

Another cause for celebration during the event was the announcement of Monson joining MDC as our 14th Maine Downtown Affiliate community. Over the last year, the town participated in a rigorous application process that culminated last week in a virtual site visit with members of the MDC team and advisors from other MDC member communities. A 2019 Entrepreneur Pilot Project community, Monson has developed a pop-up cottage shed for artists and makers to rent, co-working space in the town hall, and is looking to leverage MDC expertise and technical training to develop recreational tourism opportunities and a green belt connecting outdoor spaces, parks, and public art.

The event also featured 21 reflections on 2021, updates from our second cohort of Main Street Fellows, and remarks from MDF CEO Yellow Light Breen on the critical role of Maine’s downtowns. Event participants participated in short breakout discussions with key community members who are leading work on critical issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership; and the value of a local currency program.

MDF President & CEO Yellow Light Breen & 2021 Measures of Growth Report Featured on “Maine Calling”

AUGUSTA, ME – January 25, 2022 – MDF President & CEO Yellow Light Breen joined State Economist Amanda Rector and host Jennifer Rooks on “Maine Calling”. The hour-long discussion focused on which economic indicators they’ll be paying close attention to during 2022 – including those highlighted by the recently released Measures of Growth Report. They also delved into the impact of the pandemic in Maine, including inflation, the housing market, unemployment and more.

To listen to the show click here.

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Accepting Applications for National Park Service REvitalizeME Gen 2 Grants to Support Historic Preservation in Rural Downtowns

HALLOWELL, Maine – January 12, 2022 – The Maine Development Foundation (MDF)’s Maine Downtown Center is accepting applications for grant funding through the National Park Service (NPS) REvitalizeME Gen 2 program. A total of $660,000 is available for historic preservation projects that will foster economic development in 22 downtowns that are current National Main Street or Maine Downtown Affiliate designated programs.

“It’s wonderful that Maine has received this funding again and other downtown projects will benefit from it like we did,” says Michael Miclon, Executive Director, Johnson Hall, Gardiner, Maine, one of six Maine projects awarded funds through the 2020 REvitalizeME round of grants. “The grant enabled us to repair our historic windows and masonry and really close the gap on our 5-year capital campaign for Johnson Hall, which is a downtown community hub and significant historic theater.”

The program provides much-needed financial capacity to encourage infrastructure development and leverage private sector investment increasing the commercial, educational, residential, or civic use and value of the historic properties. Projects may include physical preservation projects for historic sites, architectural/engineering services, and technical assistance. Funding in the form of subgrants will be awarded through a competitive program that will be administered by MDF in partnership with Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

“This National Park Service program not only supports historic preservation, but also fosters economic development in rural communities,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge. “By funding the rehabilitation of historic properties, rural areas across the country will be improved and strengthened.”

The application deadline is 5:00pm on March 1, 2022. The grant application, list of eligible communities, and requirements are available at https://www.mdf.org.

REvitalizeME Gen 2 is supported through a grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

2021 Measures of Growth Report Calls for Innovative Responses to the Ongoing Pandemic and Signals Strategies to ensure a Sustained, Inclusive Recovery

Hallowell, Maine – December 15, 2021 – The nonpartisan Maine Economic Growth Council today released its 27th annual Measures of Growth Report, a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s economy is performing relative to our long-term goals, to other states, and the U.S. The Report highlights factors shaping the experience of Mainers during this extraordinary time and their impact on our economy. It also points to both reasons for optimism and critical areas of focus to ensure a robust, inclusive recovery.

“This Report provides critical insight into Maine’s economy,” says Steve Von Vogt, Chair of the Maine Economic Growth Council. “We continue to harness Yankee ingenuity, the power of science, innovation, and public-private partnerships to respond to the challenges posed by COVID. Maine business, community, and non-profit leaders of all races and ethnicities continue to join forces privately and publicly to eradicate systemic inequities and build a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive economy so together Mainers can recover and prosper.”

In total, the 2021 Measures of Growth Report tracks 30 indicators that represent Maine’s assets and areas of challenge. To better reflect current circumstances, the report has a new measure: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which acknowledges thegrowing impact of climate change on our environment and economy. In addition, we have updated four other indicators to better track critical forces: Broadband Connectivity uses a new data set to track access to high-speed service; Postsecondary Degrees & Credentials now includes valuable non-degree certifications; Entrepreneurship now measures how/if start-ups outpace closures; and Labor Force Participation better tracks in which industries and sectors Mainers are working in – or leaving.

The Council assigns Gold Stars for significant progress in:

  • Prekindergarten Education – In 2020-2021, the share of schools with a pre-K program continued to increase and is now 79%
  • Safety – Maine’s crime rate dropped another 7% in 2020 and is now 46% below the national average – the second lowest in the nation.
  • Water Quality – The water quality of Maine rivers and streams remains far above the U.S. average.

The Council assigns Red Flags for needed attention to:

  • Labor Force – In 2020, Maine’s labor force shrank 3% (20,000 fewer working-age people).
  • Research and Development Expenditures – In 2018, R & D spending in Maine represented only 0.8% of total gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 2.8% nationwide. This ranks Maine 43rd of the 50 states.
  • Broadband Connectivity – COVID highlighted the need for high-speed internet but new data show just 18% of Maine locations have access to truly high-speed service (100 Mbps/100 Mbps).
  • Housing Affordability – In 2020, Maine’s housing affordability index fell 4%. Homeownership costs met or exceeded the affordability threshold in just six of Maine’s 16 counties, and only one county, Franklin, had affordable rental housing.

“The Measures of Growth annual report has long provided valuable information about what we are doing right, where we need to improve, and the trends of progress or decline over time,” says Yellow Light Breen, MDF’s President and CEO. “These indicators reinforce that talent, innovation, and infrastructure must be the focus for strategic investment – while also maintaining public health, a clean environment, and vibrant communities. We look forward to the opportunity to work with policymakers, businesses, and community leaders to stabilize, diversify, and rebuild a Maine economy that is inclusive and sustainable.”

The Maine Economic Growth Council takes a nonpartisan, data-driven approach to presenting an unbiased picture of Maine’s economy and well-being. Measures of Growth is designed to be a resource for policy and decision makers at all levels, helping them to focus their efforts and understand the connections between the key issues affecting the state. Th Council is administered by the Maine Development Foundation (MDF). Council members are jointly appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House, and represent a broad and diverse cross-section of Maine’s key constituencies.

Click here to read the Full Report

Click here to read the Executive Summary

MDF Elects 2021-2022 Board of Directors

Hallowell, Maine— October 13, 2021 — The Maine Development Foundation (MDF), a statewide, nonpartisan, and data-driven nonprofit that connects people and strategies to drive economic improvement, is pleased to announce the election of our 2021-2022 Board of Directors. MDF Member organizations, businesses, and individuals cast their votes virtually during “Maine Rising: MDF’s 43rd Annual Meeting and Champion Award Celebration” which was held via Livestream on September 24, 2021.

Madeleine Braun, Chief of Presidential Initiatives for The Jackson Laboratory, was elected Board Chair, Joy Barresi Saucier, Executive Director of Aroostook Agency on Aging Vice Chair, Treasurer Thomas Francoeur, Senior Managing Scientist, VHB, Inc., Treasurer.

“It is both my and The Jackson Laboratory’s privilege to be associated with MDF in a very deep and meaningful way,” said Madeleine Braun, incoming MDF Board Chair. “Never before has the mission of MDF been more critical, staking claim to the nonpartisan center with data-driven assessments of Maine’s economic realities and opportunities. MDF weaves the regions, sectors, and viewpoints of Maine together to forge consensus and common ground like no other organization does.”

MDF welcomes new Board members Lisa Sockabasin, Director of Wabanaki Public Health (WPH) and Linda Ball, Vice President of Customer Service, Central Maine Power Company.

Lisa is a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk with extensive experience and expertise in Tribal, State, and Federal governments, non-profits, and philanthropic organizations. In her capacity as the Director of Wabanaki Public Health, she collaborates with tribal leadership, the WPH team, and philanthropic partners to address systemic inequities experienced by Wabanaki communities in Maine and to develop and implement culturally based programs that respond to the needs of our communities. Lisa has over 19 years of experience addressing inequities experienced by and providing opportunities to tribal populations.

Linda started with Central Maine Power as a customer service representative more than 20 years ago and has worked her way through the organization, always focused on making CMP a company that is dedicated to the needs of every individual customer. Linda is determined to help CMP improve and to help the team resolve customer issues efficiently and satisfactorily. Linda works to use her position to improve the CMP customer experience.

MDF is grateful to our continuing Board members Dan Bookham, Director of Business Development Allen Insurance and Financial; Scott Blake, SVP, Chief Information Officer Bangor Savings Bank; Eric Soelberg, Vice President, Customer Insights & Planning L.L. Bean, Inc.; Meredith Strang Burgess, President & CEO Burgess Advertising & Marketing; Lori Dwyer, President & CEO, Penobscot Community Health Care; Amy Landry, Executive Director Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG); Dr. Hannah Carter, Dean, UMaine Cooperative Extension, University of Maine; Catherine Wygant Fossett, Executive Director Institute for Family Owned Businesses; and the Governor’s Appointed Ex-Officio Directors Carlos Mello, Finance Authority of Maine and Deborah Johnson, Director, Office of Community Development at the Maine Dept. of Economic and Community Development.

MDF owes special gratitude and recognition to our outgoing Board Chair, Al Raymond, Vice President – Chief Compliance Officer, AVANGRID, Inc., for his steadfast and compassionate leadership during the ongoing pandemic.