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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 G I V I N G G U I D E 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 0 programs, scholarships and support for coastal students, workforce development, fellowships and more. "e area of work that we've really focused on in the last six years is how to share the solutions that small coastal communities are developing with other communities," said Karen Burns, chief talent officer for the Island Institute. "ere are a lot of amazing things hap- pening on the coast of Maine that the rest of the world can learn a lot from. And there are also amazing things hap- pening on little islands in the Great Lakes or off the coast of North Carolina that Mainers can learn a lot from." With this goal in mind, the Island Institute has created a What Works Solution Library, a digital library that includes case studies and practical infor- mation for addressing the specific chal- lenges that rural and coastal communities face. Drawing on its more than thirty years of experience in supporting coastal communities, the institute is able to share its work and the approaches that have worked in Maine with towns and cities all over the world via the digital library. Continuous communication with members of these coastal communities drives the Island Institute's programs and areas of focus. In recent listening sessions with coastal communities in Maine, the institute heard from participants that many are worried about economic dependence on a single species fishery, the American lobster. Another senti- ment the institute heard in their listening sessions is that coastal communities need strong schools and strong leadership to survive. e Island Institute sees diversi- fication of the economies of these coastal communities, workforce development and educational support as pathways to sustainability and resiliency. "We are going to continue listening to people living in coastal communities and help them build capacity to achieve their goals faster and more efficiently," said Burns. "ere are a lot of innovative solutions coming out of coastal com- munities. e people who live there are collaborating with one another and cre- ating a model for sustainability that can be used across larger populations." Catherine Berce, a Mainebiz correspondent, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E I S L A N D I N S T I T U T E The Island Institute, which is based in Rockland and has 50 employees and an annual operating budget of $7 million, focuses on strengthening community economies, education and leadership and sharing solutions. There are a lot of amazing things happening on the coast of Maine. — Karen Burns Island Institute Are you a Maine company? Are you a company looking to relocate or expand in Maine? Learn about the resources and stats of doing business in Maine SP ONSORED BY ORDER YOURS AT MAINEBIZ .BIZ/FACTBOOK OR CALL 845.267.3008 A list of municipal, state and federal financing and incentive programs for businesses. Data on Maine's workforce. Info about the factors that make the quality of life here in Maine so desirable. Stories of innovation and R&D. Lists of business resources. Interviews with Maine CEOs about why they choose to do business in Maine. FAC T BOOK 2019 F E AT U R E S