By Holly Ramer, The Associated Press
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Community and policy leaders from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are exploring the economic challenges and opportunities that go along with the region's aging population and shrinking workforce.
Maine has the highest median age in the nation, and Vermont and New Hampshire are right behind. Policy makers, business leaders and others from all three states were in Portsmouth on Tuesday for a conference organized by New Hampshire's Endowment for Health and the Maine Council on Aging.
Charles Colgan of the University of Southern Maine said the demographic trends are both a challenge and a huge opportunity for the region, not just in health care and industries that involve taking care of a declining population, but in developing new technologies in areas such as transportation.