Business Profiles
Officials look to improving economic efforts across state lines
YORK - Area officials joined Gov. John Baldacci and others at a forum last week in nearby Portsmouth, N.H., aimed at finding ways Maine and New Hampshire can work together to improve the Seacoast's economy.Following the Sept. 12 event, Baldacci stressed the importance of regionalization to give Maine and New Hampshire a powerful, new economic future for the two-state region.
The economic summit, entitled "Looking Beyond the Shipyard: Finding Common Ground on Which to Advance Our Regional Economy," included economic development practitioners, planning commissions and chamber groups from Maine and New Hampshire as well as several speakers, presentations and opportunities for participants to share their ideas on the economic vitality of the Seacoast region.
"York County in Maine, and Rockingham and Strafford Counties in New Hampshire have a combined population of over 600,000 and a labor force of over 350,000 workers," Baldacci said. "The region has low unemployment, a highly educated workforce, solid population gains and good job growth. We are planning the future from a position of strength."
The event also included a visit from former Maine Gov. Angus King.
"In today's fast-paced global economy, state and regional boundaries are no longer impediments to the flow of capital and labor," Baldacci said. "We must constantly strive to find comparative advantage and push the frontiers of economic development."
Event participants have been quick to point out that it took the two states standing together, as well as the support of the Congressional Delegations of Maine and New Hampshire, to overcome the Department of Defense's recommendation to close the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard just one year earlier.
Baldacci said that success is likely to continue as the two states work together on other projects.
"In the area of research and development, we have three major collaborations ongoing between the University of New Hampshire and Maine-based universities and research groups," Baldacci said, referencing The Green Chemistry Consortium with the University of Maine and UNH; The Center for Environmental Health and Toxicology with the University of Southern Maine and UNH, and the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System with Portland field expertise combined with UNH academic expertise.
Other initiatives include expanding passenger rail into more northern areas of the state of Maine and boosting the state's boatbuilding industry.
"We are breaking new ground here through an industry-led collaboration that will result in business, jobs and income growth," Baldacci said in a statement released after the forum. "That is something where Maine and New Hampshire should be proud to continue to work together."
The event was organized in part by the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission.
