1. Mobilize Maine:
GrowSmart Summit
October 23, 2012
7:30am – 5:00pm
Augusta Civic Center
—1— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

2. Who said this about Maine?
“An inconsistent economic development
stance over many years has weakened the
state’s efforts to improve its economy”
—2— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

3. 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%
—3— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

4. 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
—4— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

5. Economic Development Districts
Mobilize Maine
Empowering Maine’s citizens to
take control and stewardship of
their economic future
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
—5— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

6. What are we trying to accomplish?
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it" ViTAL Economy
Maine‟s Regional Issues of ViTAL Economy
Measures In Focus, Challenge and Core Economic
Innovation Index Opportunity Indicators
Per Capita Income TBD by regional leaders Population
Maine GDP Growth Labor Participation Rate
Internet Subscriptions Average Wage
Linkage
Bachelors Degrees/
25 years & older
2017 Regional Economic Vision
2017 Maine Statewide Economic Vision
—6— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

7. 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
—7— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

8. 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
—8— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

9. 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
—9— ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

10. 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
— 10 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

11. We need your help! Get involved!
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
Energize the Mobilize Southern Maine initiative
— 11 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.

12. Any Questions:
Mobilize Maine
Mark Ouellette – mark@mobilizemaine.org
— 12 — ©2011 ViTAL Economy, Inc.