Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1244961
S P R I N G 2 0 2 0 / W O R K F O R M E 5 Let us lead In Maine, history has shown that making stuff through the ages comes with ingenuity, in- novation, need and technology. Nearly everything in our daily lives is manufactured, from what we touch to our commu- nication to our daily lives. We realized during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the additional importance and value of manufacturing. Governments and the public turned to man- ufacturers to make products needed to keep our world safe. Manufacturing took the lead. Calls came in from across the country asking Maine for help. Our textile and food-and- beverage sectors stepped up, as did makers of medical devices and plastics, electronics and semiconductors. We've seen an unprecedented call to action. Manufacturing Month, which is October of each year, cele- brates the companies and in- dividuals that shape the future of the industry. Maine is home to 1,600 man- ufacturers. Total output from manufacturing was $6.31 billion in 2018. There were an aver- age of 54,600 manufacturing employees working in Maine in 2018. The average annual com- pensation was $64,675 in 2017. The jobs are in defense, aero- space, metal, paper, marine and boat building, semi-conductors, wood, textile, aquaculture, bio- tech, medical device, electronics, RF and wireless communications, plastics, composites and bioplas- tics and food-and-beverages. The Manufacturers Associa- tion of Maine and its partner associations gather input on top issues and challenges from the full range of manufacturing sec- tors. The goal is to leverage the strengths of these organizations, avoid duplication of effort and promote a coordinated manu- facturing support strategy. For years, the annual Maine Manufacturing Summit has produced a report highlighting the top issues and challenges for the manufacturing sector. The top concerns continue to be workforce availability, energy costs and the cost of doing busi- ness in Maine. I n 2 0 2 0 , u n c e r t a i n t i e s abound, but this sector is strong and nimble. Policy issues are a concern as more legislation is being put in place that increases the cost of do- ing business in Maine. To balance the environmental concerns, the cost of energy is increasing. The association continues to strive to assist in the creation or retention of 2,350 primary manufacturing jobs, increase or retention the 18-34 age group by 3% by 2024. Another task is to boost Maine's profile as a state with business- friendly policies, with a goal of moving from No. 44 to No. 25. We continue to implement activities with student and educator outreach, tours and classroom activities, work to in- crease robotics programs across the state, employ transitioning military members, new Main- ers, corrections populations and others seeking meaningful em- ployment. — Lisa G. Martin Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Maine Manufacturers Association of Maine S p o n s o r L e t t e r www.mainemfg.com Manufacturers Association of Maine is dedicated to supporting, promoting and growing manufacturing in Maine! Members stay because of what they get... • Manufacturing Career Connection introducing students and educators to careers in manufacturing • Energy Program providing smart energy options with Constellation • The Business Services Division offers BGS consulting and B2B lead generation to help retain and grow manufacturing • Legislative & Policy activities to keep manufacturing needs in front of policy makers • Robotic Institute of Maine promoting and growing Maine high school students robotics teams. Proudly housed at MAME Members join because of what they hear... "Paradigm Windows is commi ed to engaging young people in the great careers in manufacturing! MAME has been instrumental in helping us connect to local resources." — Julka Arsovski Plant Manager, Paradigm Windows, Portland ME