Maximizing Shared Assets in Western Maine

A new report authored by Craig Freshley,
published by the Maine Center for Economic Policy

Click here to view a PDF version of the report.

To order a hard copy, please contact the Maine Center for Economic Policy at 207-622-7381.

Press Release, September 17, 2004

AUGUSTA - Western Maine - a four-county area bigger than Massachusetts - needs focused efforts to build sustainable communities and assist homegrown entrepreneurs, according to a study just released by the Maine Center for Economic Policy. The area, which includes Oxford, Franklin, Somerset, and Piscataquis counties, has a population of about 150,000 - 12% of the state population - and resides on 38% of the Maine's land area.

The report outlines opportunities, challenges, and current development activities within three regional assets: land, buildings and capital. Activities with future prospects include coordinating community development and land conversation interests; renovation and reuse of existing historical public buildings to preserve them as heritage tourism sites; and the promotion of local philanthropy and support for entrepreneurial efforts and local input into priorities for foundation giving in the region. 

The region has lost 6,000 manufacturing jobs since 1980; agricultural activity has declined; and the population has been slowly moving south in the state or out-of-state. 

The report, Maximizing Shared Assets in Western Maine, was published as part of a collaborative effort by four regional and statewide organizations - Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Wiscasset, the Maine Center for Economic Policy, Augusta; Mountain Counties Heritage, Inc. and Western Mountains Alliance, both of Farmington.

"Long-term sustainable development of the Western Maine region faces several challenges including an aging population; a sharp decline in higher paying manufacturing jobs that have been replaced by lower paying service sector jobs, and lower post secondary attainment among adults than in Maine as a whole," the report states.

The report makes several recommendations to promote sustainable communities in western Maine:

· Develop a regional decision making infrastructure to solidify links between investment and community development.

· Coordinate objectives among the numerous organizations working in the region.

· Document the value of the region's shared assets and track progress on initiatives to determine the impact of sustainable development efforts.