Maine historic preservation 5-year development plan addresses inclusion, diversity

Maine Historic Preservation Commission‘s five-year historic preservation plan, which helps guide preservation development in the state and to which MDF’s Maine Downtown Center contributed a section, contains strategies aimed at diversity and inclusion, and seeks to address omissions of historic sites related to the state’s native people and African-American population, early French and German historic sites and specifics about the contributions by women and others.

Read the full article in Mainebiz.

*Public comments on the plan are open until April 9th.

What Owners Need to Know About Maine’s Economic Growth – MDF CEO Yellow Breen featured on Fast Forward Maine Podcast

How does Maine stack up against other states for our economy? There are plenty of factors to look at, and the Maine Development Foundation is measuring all of them. From wages to entrepreneurship, the cost of doing business to broadband access, the Measures of Growth report considers a wide variety of factors and rates them all. They’ve even included some new measures this year including racial/ethnic income equity and pre-K education.

Fast Forward Maine talked with MDF’s CEO, Yellow Light Breen, for a breakdown of the report’s findings. Fun side note: they also celebrated Yellow as their first “regular” on the show, with this being their first repeat guest & topic. Thanks, Rich and Yuri!

Listen to the full Podcast.

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Announces Annual Awards for 2020 Standout Community Projects and Individuals

For Immediate Release:

Hallowell, Maine— January 28, 2020  — The Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation (MDF), is thrilled to announce awards for three standout projects and individuals for their efforts during 2020 to enhance and support downtown revitalization in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, recession, and pursuit of racial justice. The awards were given out during a virtual ceremony this morning which also featured a keynote speech by Stacy Mitchell, Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

“We are so happy to celebrate these projects that were bright spots amidst the heaviness of 2020, “ says Anne Ball, Senior Program Director for MDF’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC). “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.”

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

  • Downtown Project Award: The Saco Scoop, a project of Saco Main Street, for providing a community hub, a sustainable funding source for the Main Street organization, workforce trainings, and practicing the Main Street Four Point Approach every day in the work they do.
  • Downtown Hero Award: MacKenzie Cayford, who started as a Brew Fest Volunteer and has grown into being a community and organizational leader as well as a board member and committee chair of Main Street Skowhegan, all while working for a downtown small business and starting her own business, Crown & Root.
  • Innovation Award: Beacon Park in downtown Bath for providing a COVID-safe community indoor space which was developed quickly to fulfill an immediate downtown need as the weather got colder. The space was developed through a partnership between City of Bath, Main Street Bath, Sagadahoc Real Estate Association, General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works and Union + Co.

“I can genuinely say that the extreme feeling of worth that comes from volunteering is like none other,” says MacKenzie Cayford, MDC’s Maine Downtown Hero Awardee. “For me, volunteering in Skowhegan has been an additional outlet for my creativity. I am trusted, appreciated, and able to help make things happen in the right direction. Above everything else, experiencing the heartwarming reactions of our community members and event attendees puts you on the type of cloud that you only experience when you know that you have done something good- it is priceless.”

During her keynote speech to the virtual audience, Stacy Mitchell,  Co-Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance,  focused on why independent small businesses are so important to Maine, our downtowns, local culture, and sense of place – especially now. “As challenging as this past year has been, it’s also marked a turning point. Congress and federal antitrust agencies started moving to break up the outsized power of corporate giants like Amazon and adopt policies to better support Main Street businesses. These are exciting developments for Maine downtown communities that could open up promising opportunities for stabilizing and growing our local economies in the years ahead.”

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 (MDC) program. To learn more about the program and how your community can get involved, visit us on the web.

MDF President and CEO, Yellow Light Breen, Shares Perspective on Maine’s Economic Outlook on Maine Public’s “Maine Calling” Program

As Maine struggles to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, the year ahead will be critical for our state’s economic stability. MDF President and CEO, Yellow Light Breen, offered perspective and supporting data from the 2020 Measures of Growth Report on the economic outlook for Maine in 2021 as part of a panel discussion on Maine Public’s January 15 “Maine Calling” program.

Other panelists include: Amanda Rector, state economist, Andrew Crawley, assistant professor, School of Economics, University of Maine in Orono, and Gary Vogel, past president, Maine Real Estate & Development Association.

Listen to the show.

Jump off the Business Recruitment Train: The Real Returns are in Cultivating Local Entrepreneurship

The work and key takeaways from MDF’s Maine Downtown Center’s partnership with Maine Community Foundation in three Entrepreneurship Pilot Project Communities – Lisbon, Skowhehegan and Monson – informed this excellent synopsis in this National Main Street “Spotlight Blog” post by project consultant Matt Wagner. “Jump off the Business Recruitment Train: The Real Returns are in Cultivating Local Entrepreneurship” offers some great, actionable tips for new business recruitment and economic vitality efforts.

Read the full article.

2020 Measures of Growth Report Calls for Innovative Responses to COVID-19, the Resulting Recession, and Racial Inequity; Highlights Optimism for Long-Term Recovery

AUGUSTA, Maine – December 9, 2020 – The nonpartisan Maine Economic Growth Council today released its 26th 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. as a whole. The Report finds reason for renewed urgency in the face of COVID-19, the resulting recession, and persistent systemic racism: the pandemic and resulting missed paychecks, closed schools, and shuttered businesses tipped many Maine households into stressful, precarious situations and hit non-white, low-income, and rural households disproportionately hard. It also finds that overall, there is reason for optimism: even amidst the unprecedented challenges 2020 unleashed — Maine’s quality of place is attracting new residents, recent research has identified growth opportunities where Maine’s strengths align with growing global demand, and a promising new approach to economic development seeks to cultivate these opportunities.

 “This Report reflects the lessons and challenges of 2020 while also highlighting the opportunity of Maine’s innovative spirit, resilience and collaborative mindset,” says Steve Von Vogt, Chair of the Maine Economic Growth Council. “In March, thousands of Maine businesses quickly modified their operations to protect staff and customers. We relearned the power of science, innovation, and public-private partnerships. Maine business, community and non-profit leaders of all races and ethnicities began joining forces privately and publically to work toward diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities and economy. In the face of disruption and distress, Measures of Growth is more important than ever in helping us understand Maine’s long term assets and challenges, so we prioritize and sustain the investments that can help us recover and return to prosperity.”

In total, the 2020 Measures of Growth Report tracks 29 indicators that represent Maine’s assets and areas of persistent challenge. In order to better reflect current circumstances, the report has a new measure: Racial/Ethnic Income Equity whichreveals persistent income and poverty disparities between Maine’s white households and those of all other races and ethnicities. Responding to these realities will require honesty, openness to unbiased data and analysis, and a long-term strategy to grow Maine’s economy in ways that benefit all Maine people. We have also included a second new Indicator, Prekindergarten Education, and changed two metrics to better focus on the key dynamics at play: Per Capita Personal Income is now Wages, and Working Age Population is now Workforce.

Overall, Maine made measurable progress on 9 indicators, lost ground versus the benchmark on 14 others, and held its ground on the remaining 6 indicators.

The Council assigns Gold Stars for significant progress in:

  • Prekindergarten Education: In 2019-2020, 46% of Maine four-year-olds were enrolled in public pre-K in 2018-19, well above the U.S. and New England averages. The Council noted that this progress is laudable but needs to be sustained.
  • Safety: Maine’s crime rate in 2018 was 43% below the national rate and among the lowest of the 50 states.
  • Air Quality: Maine’s air qualityis better than other Northeastern states. The number of moderate (23) and low (1) air quality days in 2019 were the lowest on record.

The Council assigns Red Flags for needed attention to:

  • Racial/Ethnic Income Equity: From 2014 to 2018, the average per-capita income for White non-Hispanic Mainers was 60% higher than Maine residents of all other races and ethnicities.
  • Workforce: From 2018 to 2019, the workforce shrank by 2,900 people.
  • Value-Added per Worker: Worker productivity in Maine is among the lowest of the 50 states.
  • Research and Development Expenditures: In 2017, Maine’s total spending on R&D was 0.8% of total GDP, which ranks 46th of the 50 states
  • Cost of Doing Business: In 2019, Maine’s cost of doing business ranked 7th highest in the U.S., ranking worse than New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.
  • 8th Grade Math: 34% of Maine 8th-graders tested proficient on NAEP in 2019, down from 40% in 2013 and at the same level as in 2007. The New England average was 38% in 2019.

This updated version of the report better aligns with two other new, groundbreaking, and key pillars for stabilizing and rebuilding Maine’s economy moving forward: Maine’s Ten-Year Economic Strategy which charts a course for creating jobs and increasing prosperity through talent and innovation, and  Governor Mills’ Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) report that includes recommendations to help Maine regain its footing and return to its previous growth path once the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.

“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.  “Improving Maine’s economy requires both brutal honesty and unquenchable optimism.  The 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 delivers on the Council’s vision of a high-quality of life for all Mainers.”

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 major issues affecting the state. Since 1993, the Council has served as an unbiased analyst and advisor of Maine’s economic health and status, and 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

Click here to watch the Dec. 9, 2020 Virtual Press Conference

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Economic Recovery Committee says Maine needs more federal stimulus to rebuild

In a comprehensive article, Mainebiz reports on the state’s Economic Recovery Committee, convened by Gov. Janet Mills in May, and the strategies they identified for Maine to rebound financially, while stressing that the federal government has to help immediately or the plan won’t work.

On November 24, the committee released its final report, outlining eight strategies needed for the state to strengthen its economy after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 38-member committee is chaired by Josh Broder, CEO of Tilson, and Laurie Lachance, president of Thomas College.

Read the full article.

Leadership Bicentennial Blog: Jen Fullmer, U.S. Air Force Colonel, Ret. & Board Chair, Boots2Roots

In celebration of Maine’s Bicentennial and 200 years of leadership that paved the way to make Maine “the way life should be,” members from MDF’s Leadership Maine Baskahegan Class interviewed leaders from around the state.  With diverse backgrounds, industries and geographies, they each share deep interest and commitment to the state of Maine and its people.  This is the story of Jen Fullmer, U.S. Air Force Colonel, Ret., and her leadership journey. Jen was interviewed by John Manganello.

How she got here from there.

Jen Fullmer began her career as a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadet at the University of Northern Colorado with the goal of becoming an Air Force pilot.  She spent her first three years in the Air Force as a human resources officer, attended pilot training, and held many roles on her path from B-1 Bomber pilot, to commander and Air Force senior leader.  Jen explains that as a military pilot, flying is only part of the job.  The majority of time is spent working in the traditional roles that keep any organization running like human resources, finance, logistics, training, operations, etc.  Over the course of her 24-year Air Force career, she moved 14 times and had the opportunity to lead and follow at many levels and in diverse capacities.  She says that her time training as a pilot instilled in her the value of accepting and providing constructive feedback and the importance of continuing to learn, improve, and adapt as situations evolve.  Her transition from the Air Force to Maine provided another opportunity to apply these lessons as she took on a whole new challenge of building and running a nonprofit organization from concept to sustainability.

Jen officially retired as a Colonel in 2015 and is now dedicated to serving Maine.  She and her husband are not originally from Maine but chose to be here and are proud to call Biddeford, Maine HOME.  For the past four years Jen has been building and leading a Maine nonprofit called Boots2Roots.  Boots2Roots is preparing transitioning active duty military members and their families to hit the ground running in Maine, while providing a pipeline of quality talent for Maine’s workforce.  Jen was always taught to grow your replacement and leave an organization better than you found it.  That is her personal commitment and charge to Maine’s up-and-coming leaders.

Her advice for young leaders in Maine and outlook for the future.

Find a mentor.  The perfect mentor will care about your development, provide advice, and be a sounding board, your biggest cheerleader, and provide candid feedback when it’s hard to hear.  It was her mentors along the way that helped shape Jen’s leadership style and taught her that it’s all about the people.  Take care of the people and they will take care of the mission.

The characteristics that define great leaders that Jen has worked for or with include a focus on people, trust, and humility.  At the core of empowerment is trust and great leaders know it’s not about them. When things go well, they give the team credit for success and when things don’t go well, they accept full responsibility.  People who work for great leaders don’t want to let them down.

Maine is a wonderful place to live, work, put down roots, and take a leadership role.  Maine needs strong leadership to meet current and future challenges like those addressed in Maine’s Economic Development Strategy 2020-2029.  Leadership is easy when you have plenty of people and resources.  Leadership is tested when faced with competing priorities and resource constraints.  Maine needs effective and inspiring leadership at all levels from the statehouse to the small business owner.  We need leaders who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and collaborate to find the best solutions for Maine’s future.  

Inspiration from the past.

As we approach Maine’s Bicentennial, Jen is looking forward to the Sailing Ships Festival.  In addition to a personal fascination with Maine’s Windjammer fleet, she is inspired by the fact that shipping and ship building have been part of Maine’s fabric for over 200 years and remains a major economic driver today.

She is most inspired by General Joshua Chamberlain and his dedication to Maine, selfless service, and faith.  As a young man from Brewer, he worked in the timber industry, then taught at Bowdoin College, served honorably during the Civil War, as Maine’s governor, as Bowdoin’s President, and had a key role in planting the roots of the University of Maine.  Jen says that his Maine upbringing and principled service, leadership, and contributions during the Civil War prepared him well to return home, lead, and make lasting contributions to Maine’s future.  She is reminded of this every day working with Boots2Roots.

MDF and Hallowell Community Conversation Featured in Kennebec Journal

About 50 Hallowell residents and community organizers took part in a Zoom Community Conversation hosted by Hallowell organizations and the Maine Development Foundation.

The event and the resulting suggestions for expanded revitalization and engaging residents were featured in an October 30th article in the Kennebec Journal. Read the full article here: https://www.centralmaine.com/2020/10/30/need-for-downtown-diversity-infrastructure-improvements-outdoor-recreation-noted-at-hallowell-forum/

MDF’s Bri Bowman, Program Director, FOR/Maine Coalition is featured in Maine Public lecture series

MDF’s Bri Bowman, Program Director with the FOR/Maine (Forest Opportunity Roadmap) Coalition, was a featured speaker during a lecture entitled “Maine’s Forests” on September 24. The lecture is one in a series of three that explore the importance of preserving nature in Maine, combating climate change, and the challenges we face. Bri outlined ways our forest industry is modifying its practices and products to become more sustainable

Maine Public has partnered with The Nature Conservancy in Maine, as well as the Maine Education Association and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, to put the lecture series together. They are airing in conjunction with the PBS “Age of Nature” TV series, which will air locally on Maine Public Television beginning on October 14th.

Watch Bri and the full “Maine Forests” lecture.