Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/880319
F A L L 2 0 1 7 / M A K I N G I T I N M A I N E 1 1 THERE IS A DIFFERENCE A DIFFERENCE THERE IS Because C O N S T R U C T I O N M A N A G E M E N T | D E S I G N / B U I L D | G E N E R A L C O N T R A C T I N G | E N G I N E E R I N G Sheridan Construction www.sheridancorp.com Fairfield Fairfield ( 207-453-9311 207-453-9311 ) | Portland Portland ( 207-774- 207-774-6138 6138 ) Tube Hollows International, Windham ME Article strategy that is coordinated through the industry intermediaries, par- tially funding by the state and by industry and implemented with the existing service provider system to provide services as required/ requested. If the Maine workforce system could do one thing to help your business, what would it be? The respondents (63 percent) said Maine needs to address the discon- nect between industry needs and training. The industry sees both a need to address the allowable wages and focus on what programs and services are available to indus- try. Industry members say they do not have a clear understanding or knowledge of what programs and funding are available to them for training. Most often, the training funds do not align with the training needs of companies. Is energy a concern to manu- facturers? Since manufacturing uses an extremely high amount of energy to manufacturer products, two thirds of responding manu- facturers continue to see energy costs as major concern of doing business in Maine. We also look at input on wheth- er companies believe Maine is com- mitted to developing pro-growth policies for manufacturing. Not surprisingly, 63 percent said no, the legislature is not in tune with the challenges, issues and needs of manufacturers. As we work to promote careers in manufacturing, we must have policies supporting the growth of this sector in Maine. In our fi nal question, we asked if the Maine legislature could do one thing to help their businesses, what would that be? Sixty-six percent said the priority should be tax policies to help manufacturing. If Maine can work together to form sound policies for workforce development, energy and tax re- form, our efforts to promote and grow manufacturing would be aligned to create an environment where people, communities and businesses would thrive. n Manufacturing in Maine Accounts for $5.6B annually, or 10% of the state's total GDP If Maine can work together to form sound policies for workforce development, energy and tax reform, our efforts to promote and grow manufacturing would be aligned to create an environment where people, communities and businesses would thrive. ..Maine GDP.. ..$5.6B / 10%..