Governor Creates Council on Competitiveness to Foster Maine Economic Development

Governor Creates Council on Competitiveness to Foster Maine Economic Development

Alex: Yahoo! The Governor is implementing the basis of the Maine Competitive Council I called for in Janaury 2006: This Great State

At that time I wrote:
"The Maine Competitive Council and Maine generally will employ a list of strategies to have us working as smart or smarter than other states, not just as hard. Some ways in which this will be accomplished include:

The use of coordinated statewide networks that focus on identified areas in which Maine can be a National and/or International leader in that 21st century economy. Such networks will research, identify and then integrate Maine’s unique and difficult to replicate strengths such that they can be more powerfully leveraged and marketed for export to address identified market needs in high growth areas (see the Maine Environmental Science Network detailed in BDN article as one example of this).

The use of best practices such that rather than re-creating the wheel Maine is able to profit from the most efficient and effective processes and program elements utilized elsewhere.

ROI-sensitive technology investments that increase productivity and profits. This can include business intelligence software that helps to optimize in line with desired goals and parameters projects and project management, schedules, inventory, distribution, vendor relationships etc. By ROI-sensitive in this case I mean that we will be looking at the investments carefully before making them to make sure that they provide real benefits in highly needed areas and that we possess the necessary expertise (or can successfully import it) to insure their success (that includes phasing things in at manageable levels rather than trying to do too much at once and all heck breaking loose).

Other ROI-sensitive investments. No state can afford to waste money. Maine certainly cannot. We must be certain that we are investing in the right areas in the right amounts. By investment I mean spending that financially gives back (yes, over time) more than what was put into it. Otherwise it's only an expense. In regard to tax-break advantages – let them earn it. How about less or no money up front until promises are delivered and maintained? I realize that we are in competition with other states, but indiscriminate use of business tax break incentives is simply in my view “buying jobs”, which anyone can do if you pay enough for them. This competition, when it goes beyond the point of what makes logical economic sense for a State, is simply, as is termed, “a race to the bottom” that Maine does not need and cannot afford. In addition, I would refrain from giving any tax break considerations to those that do (not (missing word)) show the proper respect for the health and vitality of the State of Maine by being good corporate citizens, both in their history and continuing forward. And they must respect Maine’s environment. Let us reach out as a state, as I have said previously, for Maine to be a beacon for all businesses that are environmentally friendly worldwide, for them to stay, grow and come to Maine and prosper.

To insure that statewide interests do not transgress local concerns, I would like to develop five Regional planning committees: Central Maine, Down East, Northern Maine, Southern Maine, and Western Maine, that would each provide representatives to the Maine Competitive Council to insure that local and regional interests are being adequately addressed. Citizen input is also crucial and I would like to see a substantial percentage of representation on the Competitive Council come from these ranks. Maine is a bright state, and when we bring together the best of what we have, well harnessed and directed, we unleash the full capabilities of what we have to offer."

I similarly envisioned private-public partnerships on economic development (to be led by the private sector).

See also: Governor Baldacci Says Time is Right for Alternative Energy - Alex: Definitely!, but also more than meets the eye

Maine's initial policy progress is exhilirating, but there is a long long way still to go for sustained success. Processes must be refined and integrated, with the most knowledgeable contributors and best practices involved.

Go Maine!!

http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=45567&v=article-2006
Update: The Council on Competitivene$$ - PolitickerME.com
http://newsofmaine.blogspot.com/2007/11/council-on-competitivene.html