Our Focus

Our Approach to Growing Quality Jobs in Maine

We’re focused on:

  • creating quality jobs in three of Maine’s most globally competitive and dynamic sectors

  • meeting Maine’s need for a skilled workforce.

In April 2015, FocusMaine hired a global consulting company to conduct an in-depth analysis of global trends and market opportunities, Maine’s industrial competitive advantages and weaknesses related to those opportunities, and on-the-ground perspectives from Maine business leaders, economic thought leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers. The result: a focus on three globally competitive, high-growth sectors.

Maine Food

“Made in Maine” is more than a description of a product’s origin. Thanks to Maine’s reputation for clean air, pure water and hard-working people, “Made in Maine” means instant credibility in the hearts and minds of trust-seeking consumers throughout New England and beyond.

Global trends

  • Rising demand for locally sourced, responsibly cultivated food products.
  • A new generation of farmers who are embracing the farm-to-table movement.
  • Rising need for secure local food supply chains during COVID-19.

Maine's advantages

  • Abundant water resources.
  • Affordable land.
  • Proximity to some of the largest U.S. cities.
  • 8,000 farms and 1.5 million acres of farmland already fueling the region’s food economy.

Maine Aquaculture

Forward-thinking entrepreneurs have already found innovative uses for kelp and discovered more sustainable ways to grow oysters and mussels. The growth opportunities for businesses operating in the cold, clean waters off Maine’s rugged coast are as vast as the ocean itself.
As part of our efforts, we are proud to be a founding partner of SEAMaine —an industry-led initiative bringing together leaders in Maine’s commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood economy. With the Maine Technology Institute and many other organizations, our matching funds leveraged another $2 million in federal funding. Seeded by the University of Maine, this statewide effort is developing a roadmap and action plan to diversify opportunities across the marine economy. We are working together to build a plan that responsibly sustains our heritage, supports the growth of good jobs, builds sector resilience, and fosters innovation to keep Maine at the forefront of this globally competitive sector.”

Global trends

  • Global demand for fish protein is expected to increase by ~25 percent by 2030.
  • U.S. fish consumption has already risen by 23% since 1990.
  • The U.S. imports almost 90% of select fish products, including 95% of its salmon.

Maine's advantages

  • A heritage of high-quality fish production, with a concentration of labor in marine industries.
  • Vast coastlines and nutrient-rich waters.
  • Growing activity in mussels, oysters and seaweed, with established production in salmon (No 1 in the U.S.).

Maine Biopharma

Life Sciences companies are already thriving in Maine. Close enough to feel connected to the hub of biopharmaceutical innovation in Boston without big city expenses and distractions, we believe Maine is the next frontier of scientific discovery.

Global trends

  • Onshoring trend to bring manufacturing closer to R&D.
  • 500+ biopharma companies exist in Boston/Cambridge alone.
  • Growth in Boston bioscience requires 12,000-22,000 new jobs in next 12-18 months
  • 35% of all biotech IPOs in 2018 were MA-based companies.

Maine's advantages

  • Existing world-class capacity in life and veterinary sciences, biomedical facilities and startup activity, including nationally-renowned laboratories.
  • Proximity to Boston.
  • Lower business costs.

Maine Talent

Our goals for Maine require a workforce with the skills and experience to contribute to their employers right away, respond to change, and advance to expanded roles. We’re building bridges between Maine’s businesses and Maine’s colleges and universities to cultivate and retain homegrown talent.

Our Partners in Progress

To maximize the reach and effectiveness of our small in-house team, we at Focus Maine are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to driving Maine’s food economy, promoting the growth of life science in our state and preparing future workers for success.

OUR PARTNERS

OUR HISTORY

In April 2015, FocusMaine hired a global consulting company to conduct an in-depth analysis of global trends and market opportunities, Maine’s industrial competitive advantages and weaknesses related to those opportunities, and on-the-ground perspectives from Maine business leaders, economic thought leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers. This led to the focus on traceable foods, biopharmaceuticals and the knowledge workers enabler.

The signature industries were chosen based on:

High job-creation potential in a traded, high-export sector;

Strong direct and indirect value (e.g., net exports, multiplier effect on suppliers);

Reasonable resources required, including infrastructure and capital requirements;

Attainable policy changes required; and

Reasonable expectations for Maine to compete nationally and internationally.

The selection process included:

A robust research review of Maine’s competitive advantages and disadvantages;

An in-depth analysis of nine global and national trends with the potential for strong job creation;

A competitive and feasibility analysis for each of ten potential focus industries; and

The engagement of 200 stakeholders in Maine.

We plan to coordinate with these sectors to:

Set and measure progress toward bold job growth and export goals over 10 years;

Coordinate and accelerate workforce development and entrepreneurship in the sectors;

Build and fund the execution of comprehensive 10-year sector growth implementation plans; and

Provide professional staff and sector leaders to help drive the plans with sector coordination.