Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 37 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E B Y M A R T I N J . G R O H M A N D-DISTRICT 12, MAINE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES D E BAT E N o child who grew up baling hay and milking cows on a small fam- ily farm in Carthage, Franklin County, could fail to be interested in the pros- pect of economic development. I went to college out of state, got a chemical engineering degree, and worked across the United States in the plastics indus- try. My journey took me very far from Franklin County, but I ultimately found my way home — and with a lot more perspective. In 1999, I started a build- ing products company in Biddeford. Although I sold that company, I have stayed passionately involved in the entrepreneurial economy. In my experience, there are three basic factors that give a venture in Maine a distinct advantage over out-of-state competitors: branding, the business net- work, and a dedicated workforce. 1. Branding: As a Maine brand, you have generations of Maine authen- ticity, steadfastness and ingenuity behind you. It 's hard-earned and well deserved. Maine branding works everywhere, and across every category: food, brewing, pharma, boat build- ing, and aerospace all use it. No one wants to buy salmon from Toledo. 2. Network: Maine is exceptionally rich in organizations whose mission is to help new businesses succeed. Once you are introduced to Maine Startup & Create Week, CEI and SCORE, you'll have all the help you need. ese groups work. Maine Venture Fund has had four success- ful exits this year. It is often said that Maine is the best place to raise your fi rst $500,000, and I genuinely believe that. It's just a great place to start a business. And Mainers have a strong desire and tendency to buy local. Everyone is rooting for you to succeed (unlike politics!). 3. Workforce: ere is a workforce shortage right now. Skilled work- ers in the building trades are in very short supply. But there are lots of people who are under-employed or who would rather work one good job instead of two unrewarding ones. ere is true economic opportunity in the hardworking, determined, and ingenious people here. Particularly as you head to central and northern Maine, where underemployment is higher. Get skilled at addressing the skills gap — our people are worth your investment. ere are plenty of opportunities and plenty of examples of success. So, what's wrong? Our aging population may be the most signifi cant challenge inhibit- ing Maine's economic development. e wisdom and experience of an aging workforce is a positive factor in many respects, but we all want to retire at some point. e fact is, the largest single source of avoidable job loss in the US is business closings due to owner retirement. at is why Maine should promote and support innovative ownership models like Employee Stock Ownership Plans. We need to grow and support our centers of technology. In particular, I would like to see more eff ective and frequent engagement between employers and educators in pro- gram development. As the impact of the opiate crisis grows, we need to get better at re-entry into the workforce after recovery. I believe we should work on what I call my Get Out and Stay Out initiative. at includes things like expanding drug courts, pre- release centers, and building deeper ties between our incarceration sys- tem and potential employers. Entrepreneurship and innovation are deeply rooted in the Maine economy. We are well-positioned to attract tal- ent and capital, and successful Maine companies are key players in addressing many of the social and political issues that face our state, the nation and the world. is is a place where you can do the right thing and make a fair profi t. And as these things go, my own journey has taken me full circle. My family and I are now the proud own- ers of the farm where I was raised! M J . G i s a Democrat representing District i n t h e M a i n e H o u s e o f R e p r e s e n ta t i v e s . H e h o s t s a podcast for Maine entrepreneurs called The Grow Maine Show. Marty is ba s e d i n B i d d e f o r d a n d c a n be r e a ch e d a t . . @ . Economic development in Maine: A Democrat's perspective B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E S

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