PORTLAND, Maine - Maine is falling short when it comes to investing in research and development, secondary and post-secondary education, and transportation infrastructure. That's among the findings of the 2016 "Measures of Growth" report released today by the Maine Economic Growth Council, part of the Maine Development Foundation.
On the up side, the report indicates that the state's business climate is improving, led by declining energy costs. The state's air and water quality also earn "Gold Stars" from the group, though the number of unhealthy air days last year was tagged as a cause for concern.
Michael Hersey, of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, says reports like Measures of Growth provide insight into larger economic forces at play within the state.
"Data must direct our policy decisions," Hersey says. "Feel good policies with little on outcomes must not guide decision-makers. Therefore we value the council's plans to identify, in the imminent future, how to best use the data to plan for Maine's economic future."
Maine Development Foundation President and CEO Yellow Light Breen says the goal of Measures of Growth is to provide a long-range vision that can guide the short-term policy decisions that every Legislature is pressed to make.
