Nancy Smith - "Charting Maine's Future: Making Headway"
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Nancy Smith - "Charting Maine's Future: Making Headway"
- 1. Charting Maine’s Future - Making Headway We extend special thanks to those who provided funding for this project: Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Daniel Hildreth Horizon Foundation, Inc. L.L. Bean, Inc. The Emanuel & Pauline A. Lerner Foundation The Nature Conservancy in Maine Anna Marie and John Thron The Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust Verrill Dana LLP
- 2. The report remains relevant because it took an idea that people understood intuitively – quality of place – and made it clear: living, working, and playing in healthy, vibrant communities makes good economic sense for everyone.
- 3. Focus on these recommendations may have inadvertently made Charting Maine’s Future appear to be the strategic plan for Maine. We recognize that Maine’s economy will thrive and that our communities and natural and working landscapes will remain healthy when Charting Maine’s Future recommendations are meshed with equally powerful efforts related to workforce training and healthcare costs, and energy challenges.
- 4. What We Learned: Six Lessons Lesson No. 1: Local independence is cultural, historic, and not to be ignored Going Forward: Enhance community identity while empowering Mainers to engage in collaborative efforts. Lesson No. 2: Government is not always the most effective change agent Going Forward: Build support for key efforts through relationships with recognized community and business leaders. Focus on those initiatives with strong grass roots support as they are most likely to result in success.
- 5. Lesson No. 3: One state, diverse people Going Forward: Directly address the tensions that exist between Maine’s diverse parts in order to create a sense that Maine is, while based on a foundation of individual communities, made up of a population that is “in it together.” Lesson No. 4: Mainers are cautious Going Forward: Celebrate our successes! Share lessons learned so that others can more readily follow the path being set. Focus efforts where they will have the greatest value. And be bold every once in a while.
- 6. Lesson No. 5: Investment requires sustained commitment Going Forward: The state must commit to a consistent level of investment in innovations and quality places that will strengthen our economy. At whatever level Mainers are prepared to support, investments must be done in a way that is reasonably predictable. In return, Maine must offer consistent and reasonable regulations, at all levels of government, so that the private sector can be confident their resources are well invested. Lesson No. 6: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s still there Going Forward: Be patient and consistent and celebrate our successes.
- 7. KEY RECOMMENDATIONS: UPDATE AND SUCCESSES Investments in Maine’s Quality Places One of the strengths is in connecting the importance of healthy and productive natural landscapes with equally vigorous downtowns of all sizes throughout Maine. This concept was not highlighted before.
- 8. Revitalization of Maine’s Cities and Towns Maine’s tradition of local control places enormous responsibilities on small communities. While many are overwhelmed by growth and increased through- traffic, others experience zero or negative growth. Towns functioning independently made sense when people lived their lives largely within the confines of a single town. How do we re-engineer government into thinking more regionally, while still preserving the best of our small town culture and traditions?
- 9. Investments in Innovation “Charting Maine’s Future encouraged us to continue to invest in Maine’s resourcefulness and creativity.” Focus on sectors where we have a competitive edge.
- 10. Government Efficiency and Tax Reduction/Reform A top to bottom overhaul of bureaucracies would not only improve service and finance needed investment, but could also make a down-payment on tax reform. “For regional cooperation at any level…it has to be more than ‘the right thing to do’. The average citizen must be able to understand: Is this actually going to save me money.” Ryan Pelletier, Northern Maine Development Commission
- 12. Announcing Healthy Maine Streets! “Making the healthy choice the easy choice – for ME!”
- 13. Announcing Healthy Maine Streets! $1,641 million two-year Community Transformation Grant (HHS/CDC) in partnership with MCD Public Health 20 downtowns: 10 Main Street communities and 10 Downtown Network communities create local Wellness Councils Helps small businesses develop effective, community-based worksite wellness programs Training, assessing, planning, tracking and incentives provided Result? Healthier, more productive employees and communities!
- 14. Lynn Bromley Small Business Advocate New England Region U.S. SBA Office of Advocacy Ten Causeway Street Boston, MA 02222 Phone: (617) 565-8418 lynn.bromley@sba.gov
- 15. “There isn’t a bold revolutionary vision in economic development. This is a block and tackle event.” - Invest in Maine’s quality natural and build places - Support our innovators - Ensure government on all levels is effective in providing appropriate services - Support community planning and development within and beyond municipal boundaries.
- 16. Making Headway “The Challenge for National and State Policy Makers is two- fold; to develop Economic and Growth Policies that Preserve the Maine Experience and the Second, Most Difficult Hurdle, Convince some Mainers to Trust them.” David Trahan, Executive Director Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Elected officials can only go as far as those who elect them are prepared to go. Making Headway, p. 7 “The world belongs to the collaborators.” Senator Lynn Bromley
Editor's Notes
- John Piotti transition from Bruce Katz to GSM. Play film trailers first, as a transition, as John comes to the stage. John introduce himself as MFLT and GSM. Mention that the film trailers are just a glimpse at the four short films to be played at 4pm. Each tells a story of a Maine Success that ties to Charting Maine's Future - Making Headway. You know the importance of telling our stories well, and can talk to that.Thanks funders of Making Headway, on overhead (and listed below)Introduce Nancy, comment on your perspective of updating Charting Maine’s Future.Mention this as an effort with Good Group Decisions, Teague Morris and Peter Weed, with special thanks to our Advisory Team and Staff of GSM for their monumental (perhaps an overstatement, but not really) work on this effort.
- Do youremember the original report in 2006I still have my dog-eared copy.It’s not the report that matters, this isn’t about the report. It is about the actions inspired and the energy created. Collective impact of all efforts.My perspective: 2006, release of CMF: full-time farmer and was serving in legislature House Chair of BRED. CMF was exciting: it put all the pieces together. Not somuch for new information, many efforts were underway. It was the bold initiatives and making the connections between work in our downtowns, rural areas, and investments in innovation for targeted sectors where Maine has competitive edge.Why GSM did CMF in the first placewe realized we had to reach beyond our core of smart growth to address real concerns about the economyPeople are concerned for their jobs, their kids’ jobs, worried about the future…. Not are interested in thoughtful long range planning.How to strengthen the economy, without losing our communities and natural, working landscapes that make this Maine.
- update, Making Headway, provided when you registered. Released just last month.Why GSM did MH.In our role as stewards of the report, champions of the Action Plan we knew we needed to take a look back, refocus and move forward.EMPOWER MAINERS TO KEEP GOING. There ARE good things happening!Silo analogy. Not a bad thing. That’s where the work gets doneOften missing: farm analogy going: mixer wagon: combining all the components as you keep your herd productive.GSM primary role and what we’re doing here today: combining the efforts and the successes, to ensure Maine is productiveHOW DID WE DO ITGather these stories and available information, “measure the impact”Interviews: 70 what worked, what didn’t, why? And what’s the essential next steps. People really connected with the “why it worked” most eager to talk about when things go well.Review of existing research: it doesn’t exist in easy accessible form. This Data will evolve.TONE: optimistic and energetic. Could have focused on setbacks and tensions, but instead gather energy from the successes. If we want to inspire you, give you space to inspire each other, HAD to be this way. HOW IT TIES IN WITH THE SUMMITSame issues addressed today: keynotes from Bruce and Evan, films, breakout sessions. Summit: CMF and smart growth.Same kind of outreach was used: to those who are making a difference across the state: 70 with report, seven people tell their stories in 4 films, 400 here today. Private sector: Bangor Savings Bank, PDT architects, Wright Ryan, Developers Collaborative, Maine Municipalities Legislators, Administration: Commissioner of DOT, Gov’s Office of Energy Independence and Security, Quasi-governmental agencies: MTA ED, MTI and MaineHousing Regional Planning entities Federal agencies: SBA, National park service All five Maine’s Native Tribes are present today, hosting breakout session afternoon Non-profits like GSMAll perspectives matter. And the answers, the strategiess, come when we work together.Introduction: on the screenINTRODUCTION STATEMENT: not THE strategic plan for Maine. We also need equally powerful efforts related to Education and workforce training, healthcare costs, and energy costs and production. What do you love about this place?The definition of quality places and the vision for the future should be come from within each community.THEN work together: How do we improve the economy, increase per capita incomes, building on that foundation, rather than tearing those things down.THAT in the end, defines sustainable prosperity
- One of the Surprises, for those of us who created this update…. Is the significance of lessons learned.Lessons Learned as valuable, if not mores so, than actual measure of impact so far.Provide strategies moving forward.Lessons 1 and 2: Collaborative efforts that rely on grassroots support, need for incentives for pilot projects to encourage early attempts.People gain courage when they see repetitive successes around them.
- Mainers are like people everywhere: most of us we are cautious and will accept change ONLY when it is more uncomfortable to stay the same.Not a criticism, pretty effective survival technique. Maine’s Cold winters are not a time to get creative….until you have to.We are as curious and as kind as any other group of people… but we proceed cautiously. This rift, “two Maines” and all the other ways we define ourselves by our differences, does not serve any Mainer well. Conversations Matter.I saw this clearly in meetings about a year ago in a scenic coastal town. When you hear that “the summer people” are concerned that their children will not be able to enjoy this family tradition of summering in Maine….. You realize they are indeed facing the same challenge as the Mainers who live in these communities year round. How do we keep what we love about this place while ensuring we can pass on our heritage to our children.There is no more powerful connection than that. No better foundation for conversations that can lead to a plan and then to action.
- Final two lessons learned:Create our own balance, acknowledging our careful nature , but also need for well-placed boldness.In Regulations and Investments:Predictable means effective: at whatever level we are prepared to support, Mainers must be willing to match private and non-profit sector investments, And to offer consistent and reasonable regulations that create a level of trust essential to growth.
- Key Recommendations: update on action and a success highlighted for each action item.11 success stories in document and 4 films. Judy East, WCCOG advisory Council, said at press conference: success stories are just touching the surface of all the good things happening across the stateInvestments in Maine’s Quality Places: CLEAR WIN:Land for Maine’s Future frequently sited in our interviews as one of the most effective ways we improve, protect and promote quality of place: RESULTS since 2006:quarter million acres of working forests, 1,150 miles of shoreline, 15,000 acres deeryards, 29 working farms, 17 WWF, 24 parks and wilderness management areas, 50 water-access sites and 158 miles of snowmobile trails.VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6TH, continue consistent investment in this program.Penobscot River Restoration Project and permanent conservation easements that is part of the Plum Creek Moosehead Lake development plan,Placing 363,000 acres permanently out of reach of development.
- Revitalization of Maine’s Cities and TownsCharting maine’s Future said we should provide adequate funds for towns and cities to shape their futures. This means investments in quality built places, strategic policies and providing planning resources.Solid Wins with statewide policy, programs and resources: HPTC, Maine Downtown Center: we must continue to support these initiatives because of their impact, their payback is significant. You’ll find these in today’s breakout sessions.Planning: regional initiatives include Maine Partnerships for Sustainable Communities: with GroWashington-Aroostook, these two counties are working together to develop a comprehensive connection as they plan for their futures: transportation, economic development, housing and more. Sustain Southern Maine is doing the same for most of Cumberland and York Counties. *** First time three federal agencies have created and encouraged collaboration: HUD, DOT, DofEnergy. Subject of one of our breakout sessions today.There are challenges with a state administration focused solely on the economic development without a balance of building and strengthening our communities. GovLepage is being bold in taking on difficult issues. As he’s willing to take on the hard stuff, We just need to ensure he is doing The Right hard stuff. Encouragement to invest in revitalizing our communities as an essential component of a solid economic strategy is one way we can do that.
- INVESTMENTS IN INNOVATIONLook at the diversity of sectors shown in the photos.Value-added food production: Skowhegan food Hub, the Kneading Conference: Amber Lamke is speaking in an afternoon session.Traditional manufacturing: shoe shop, transformed itself to a specialty footwear producer (films)High tech: Bigelow Labs expanding in BBH.Maine Technology Institute has helped in all of these cases, and is highlighted in one of our afternoon sessions.KEY: Focus where we have competitive advantage and have or can build the essential infrastructure to support that business sector.CMF recognized the value of existing efforts and encouraged more. Encouraged us to be bolder.One Correction: Dept of Economic and Community Development Did not eliminate the OOI, as we were told in numerous interviews. Although that was the perception, in reality….Director position incorporated into the role of other existing staff.Repeal of 2012 R&D bond was a clear, significant disappointment to many of us in this room, but I’ve been told the administration is now focusing on R&D as an economic driver, with new head of MTI, Robert Martin, attending today. There is excellent work to build on here.
- Government Efficiency and Tax Reduction/ReformMixed Results here.Tax Reform with much of what was recommended in CMF, was passed in 2009, only to be overturned by referendum later that year. Tax Reductions as occurring: As of 2009, Maine’s overall tax burden is dropping, income tax reductions passed by the 125th Legislature are set to begin 2013. There is concern that, in isolation, income tax cuts without broader tax reform may indirectly impact property taxes by crowding out municipal and school funding from state resources.Consolidation of school administration was implemented very differently than the pilot project approach envisioned in CMF, and there has been significant pushback across the state. However, Per pupil expenditure on administrative costs have been reduced by 9%.
- Scorecard…. Report on status of the effort at this time.Gsm will continue to highlight efforts and successes from across the state.: more convening, more advocacy, our own projects.To that end, welcome two friends who focus on different components of Action Plan to introduce their new initiatives.Roxanne Elfin with Maine Downtown Center: a new initiative.Lynn Bromley, Small Business Advocate for New England Region, Small Business Administration
- Draw your attention to the Quote top of screen, comes from one of our interviews. I really like it. “this is a block and tackle event”Step by step, one notch at a time********************************What do you love about this place?How do we improve the economy, how do we increase per capita incomes, building on that foundation, rather than tearing those things down.The definition of quality places and the vision should be defined from within each community. A stronger economy comes from that foundation.THAT is sustainable prosperity
- Closing:A few points to keep in mind as we continue to make headway.Frustrates me to hear “politician lack the political will” to take on the tough issues. This is a team event.Businesses and Elected officials, gov’t employees, the public and non-profits.
- Go to breakout sessions…. Please know Our goal with the Summit and Making Headway is to inspire and empower more action, highlight the collective impact of all efforts.Take a look at the challenge statements addressed in the breakout sessions. How do they strike you? Which ones appeal to you or draw you in? What’s your response?We’ll see you back here at noon for lunch and networking.Thank you.