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Examining The Experiences Of Small, Independent Grocers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jamie Picardy, Lisa Luken, Iris Michaud, Martha Lefebvre Jan 2022

Examining The Experiences Of Small, Independent Grocers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jamie Picardy, Lisa Luken, Iris Michaud, Martha Lefebvre

Maine Policy Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed existing vulnerabilities across various sectors of the economy and society. Disruptions to the food chain have been common during the pandemic, resulting in empty shelves at grocery stores and modifications to consumer culture. Within this study, we examined resilience (characterized by flexibility, diversity, redundancy, adaptability, innovation, self-reliance and infrastructure) of small, independent grocery stores in Maine.


Sustainability Of Maine’S Emerging Wine Industry, Michaela Murray, Mark Haggerty, Stephanie Welcomer Jan 2020

Sustainability Of Maine’S Emerging Wine Industry, Michaela Murray, Mark Haggerty, Stephanie Welcomer

Maine Policy Review

Consumers, businesses and business sectors, and policymakers are increasingly concerned with sustainability, and the global wine industry has long acknowledged concerns about the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of their industry. Several wine regions, including France, Australia, and South Africa, have developed workbooks and policies for sustainable wine production, but Maine’s emerging wine industry has yet to explore the concept of sustainability as it relates to its operations. In this project, designed in collaboration with the Maine Winery Guild, we interviewed the owners of 10 Maine wineries and analyzed how they define and enact sustainability along with the obstacles they …


The Role Of Foundation Grantmakers In Responding To Community Aging: Maine Community Foundation, Meredith Jones Jan 2015

The Role Of Foundation Grantmakers In Responding To Community Aging: Maine Community Foundation, Meredith Jones

Maine Policy Review

Meredith Jones of the Maine Community Foundation responds to a series of questions about the role of grantmakers in responding to community aging.


The Role Of Foundation Grantmakers In Responding To Community Aging: John T. Gorman Foundation, Tony Cipollone Jan 2015

The Role Of Foundation Grantmakers In Responding To Community Aging: John T. Gorman Foundation, Tony Cipollone

Maine Policy Review

Tony Cipollone of the John T. Gorman Foundation responds to a series of questions about the role of grantmakers in responding to community aging.


Research, Innovation, And Commercialization At The University Of Maine, James S. (Jake) Ward Iv Jan 2014

Research, Innovation, And Commercialization At The University Of Maine, James S. (Jake) Ward Iv

Maine Policy Review

This paper presents the University of Maine’s accomplishments through its use of state R&D funds.


Natural Advantages Are Key To Achieving A Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem In Maine, David J. Kappos Jan 2014

Natural Advantages Are Key To Achieving A Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem In Maine, David J. Kappos

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.


Maine’S Innovation Prospects: What The Research Can Tell Us, Linda Silka Jan 2014

Maine’S Innovation Prospects: What The Research Can Tell Us, Linda Silka

Maine Policy Review

The innovation literature suggests Maine faces a number of challenges. This overview article discusses this literature, noting how recent findings about boundary spanning point to the importance of both individual skills and group collaboration in innovation. It highlights the implications for policies that could jumpstart innovation, noting the importance of looking to history, looking across topics, looking across disciplines, looking to other states, and looking to other countries to avoid becoming too short-sighted and parochial in approaches.


An Emerging Model Of Innovation For Maine, Renee Kelly Jan 2014

An Emerging Model Of Innovation For Maine, Renee Kelly

Maine Policy Review

The state of Maine began making significant investments in research and development in the late 1990s, aligning those investments with industry sectors that drew upon the state’s traditional strengths as well as emerging industries such as biotechnology. This strategy was largely built upon the cluster theory of economic development, which can be challenging to implement in rural areas, in part because of their less dense social networks. This paper suggests that developing more efficient social networks will build stronger clusters and make rural areas more successful in innovation, and presents the Blackstone Accelerates Growth initiative as an emerging model for …


Transforming Maine’S Economy: Innovation And Entrepreneurship Policy, Catherine Searle Renault Jan 2014

Transforming Maine’S Economy: Innovation And Entrepreneurship Policy, Catherine Searle Renault

Maine Policy Review

Innovation and entrepreneurship are major drivers of economic growth. Support for them is a primary role of state government in order to increase the well being of its citizens through the provision of well-paying jobs that cannot be easily exported. Today, the state’s role is described as “enhancing the innovation ecosystem,” with the goal of increased productivity, innovation and competitiveness. Policies to build the ecosystem include: (1) building and supporting a state’s research and development capacity; (2) encouraging a state’s entrepreneurial community, (3) increasing the productivity of a state’s economy though the commercialization of new products, services, processes, business models …


Do We Have The Workforce Skills For Maine’S Innovation Economy?, John Dorrer Jan 2014

Do We Have The Workforce Skills For Maine’S Innovation Economy?, John Dorrer

Maine Policy Review

A convergence of economic and demographic forces is shaping a set of formidable challenges for Maine. This article describes how a workforce with superior skills is the key to economic growth and innovation. Over the last five decades, skill requirements have changed dramatically for most workers with the shift from goods-producing to service industries. While much has been done in reforming K-12, post secondary, and adult education systems to accommodate the changing Maine economy, it is not enough More innovation and adaptation will be required from policymakers, institutional leaders, employers and Maine people themselves.


Interview With Doug Hall On The Role Of Training In Innovation, Margo Lukens, Doug Hall Jan 2014

Interview With Doug Hall On The Role Of Training In Innovation, Margo Lukens, Doug Hall

Maine Policy Review

In this interview, Doug Hall gives his current thinking on the teaching of innovation and the urgency for doing so. Hall has been working in the field of innovation for most of his career. He has served as partner and mentor in the University of Maine’s program which offers an Innovation Engineering minor open to undergraduate students in any major and a certificate for graduate students. Hall says that “the world of the guru is done” and that “companies, colleges, and countries need to empower their people to lead the transformation from the inside out.”


State Investment In University Research And Commercialization: What Is Measurable And What Is Meaningful?, Kris Burton Jan 2014

State Investment In University Research And Commercialization: What Is Measurable And What Is Meaningful?, Kris Burton

Maine Policy Review

There are serious challenges in measuring the impact of universities on their state economies and in measuring the return on investment in universities by state legislatures. This article discusses the metrics currently used in looking at societal investment in research and the commercialization of research results. It asks if more meaningful metrics are needed, and if so, are they possible to obtain?


Finding Untapped Opportunities In Forests, Linda Silka Jan 2014

Finding Untapped Opportunities In Forests, Linda Silka

Maine Policy Review

Opportunities for innovation in forests in Maine and elsewhere are discussed, including forest bioproducts research at the University of Maine.


Financing Maine’S Food Enterprises, Ron Phillips Jan 2011

Financing Maine’S Food Enterprises, Ron Phillips

Maine Policy Review

There is a need to rebuild and retool the food system as the emphasis turns to more local and regional approaches. There is an abundance of social capital to make this happen and more and more financial capital. Ron Phillips provides an overview of the various ways Maine’s food-production and processing enterprises are financed and the critical components needed for financing to be secured. Two small businesses are profiled: MOO Milk, an organic dairy cooperative, and Look’s Gourmet Food of Washington County.


Investing In Maine’S Youngest Children Has Great Returns For Business, Dana F. Connors Jan 2009

Investing In Maine’S Youngest Children Has Great Returns For Business, Dana F. Connors

Maine Policy Review

Dana F. Connors describes how the business commu­nity has become involved in the dialogue to help steer planning for investments in Maine’s youngest chil­dren. He acknowledges that there are high costs in failing to invest early and notes that creating skilled workers requires building the foundation in the first few years of the worker’s life. He stresses that high-quality early education and care are vital for both individual and statewide economic security.


Improving The Health Of Maine, One Employee At A Time, Jerry Whalen Jan 2008

Improving The Health Of Maine, One Employee At A Time, Jerry Whalen

Maine Policy Review

In this commentary, Jerry Whalen, an officer in Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, discusses employee wellness programs and the importance of focusing on the workplace. He notes that managers and senior executives have a key role to play in ensuring success of employee wellness programs


Nature-Based Tourism In Maine: The State’S Role In Promoting A Strong Tourism Industry, Elizabeth Munding, John Daigle Jan 2007

Nature-Based Tourism In Maine: The State’S Role In Promoting A Strong Tourism Industry, Elizabeth Munding, John Daigle

Maine Policy Review

Tourism is Maine’s largest industry and, perhaps also, one of the least well understood and appreciated by the state’s citizens. Conventional wisdom suggests that tourism yields unwanted crowds and low-paying jobs. Yet closer analysis suggests that tourism does and has a yet-to-be-realized potential to enhance the well-being and sustainability of communities, particularly through high-quality, nature-based experiences that leverage Maine’s extraordinary landscapes, wilderness, and rural culture. Elizabeth Munding and John Daigle summarize what was learned as a result of Munding’s interviews with close to 50 tourism stakeholders throughout Maine. Although this study covered four major aspects of Maine’s tourism industry, here …


Adding A New Leg To The Economic Stool In Maine’S North Woods, Roger Milliken Jr. Jan 2007

Adding A New Leg To The Economic Stool In Maine’S North Woods, Roger Milliken Jr.

Maine Policy Review

In this commentary, Roger Milliken, drawing on some of his recent experiences outside Maine and his deep knowledge of the issues facing the state’s North Woods, gives a number of excellent practical ideas for developing “world class” experiences for visitors.


Ecotourism Potential In Maine’S North Woods: A Roundtable Commentary, Ann Czerwonka Jan 2007

Ecotourism Potential In Maine’S North Woods: A Roundtable Commentary, Ann Czerwonka

Maine Policy Review

No abstract provided.


Tourism Strategy For The Maine Woods: A Big Push To World Class, David Vail Jan 2007

Tourism Strategy For The Maine Woods: A Big Push To World Class, David Vail

Maine Policy Review

Can Maine’s North Woods be a “world-class” tourist destination? The short answer is “not yet.” David Vail notes that the Northern Forest’s current mix of natural, cultural and hospitality assets is not sufficiently unique, outstanding or networked to draw large numbers of new overnight visitors. His article gives examples of some promising new endeavors, and suggests the possible development of a “great Maine woods” recreation area or national heritage area as a possible “big push” strategy.


The Challenge Of Preserving And Expanding Affordable Health Care In Maine, Wendy Wolf Jan 2003

The Challenge Of Preserving And Expanding Affordable Health Care In Maine, Wendy Wolf

Maine Policy Review

Maine’s health care system is in crisis. The state’s health care expenditures represent the third highest percentage of Gross Domestic Product in the nation; state health care spending is projected to top $11 billion per year, or $8,291 per person per year, over the next seven years; businesses in Maine pay 12-23% more for coverage than the national and New England state averages; and, the state’s uninsured and vulnerable populations continue to grow. In this article, Wendy Wolf charts the rising cost of health care in Maine and the implications of these costs for all Mainers. In turn, she looks …


Trade And Border Security As Political Issues In Canada, Howard Cody Jan 2003

Trade And Border Security As Political Issues In Canada, Howard Cody

Maine Policy Review

On February 5, 2003 the Maine International Trade Center and University of Maine Canadian American Center co-sponsored a day-long forum on the challenges and opportunities of free trade between Canada and the United States. In this article, edited from his presentation at this forum, Howard Cody begins with passage of the Free Trade Agreement and brings readers up to the present day, where trade and border security concerns have become inextricably combined. Cody argues that Canadians will not persuade Americans to distinguish between the two concerns and, consequently, that Canadians will eventually accept some sacrifice in national sovereignty in order …


Dirigo Health, Sharon Anglin Treat, Michael Brennan, Ann Woloson Jan 2003

Dirigo Health, Sharon Anglin Treat, Michael Brennan, Ann Woloson

Maine Policy Review

Maine’s pioneering Dirigo Health program aims at reducing health care costs, improving quality, and increasing access by providing health insurance coverage to all of Maine’s currently uninsured population. State senators Sharon Treat and Michael Brennan and co-author Ann Woloson provide an overview of the components, structure and financing of the program. They discuss some of the challenges and opportunities posed in Dirigo Health’s implementation, and give an insider’s perspective on the process by which the program was enacted.


Exceeding Expectation And The Knotty Question Of State Tourism Policy, Kathryn Hunt Jan 2003

Exceeding Expectation And The Knotty Question Of State Tourism Policy, Kathryn Hunt

Maine Policy Review

In the Margaret Chase Smith Essay, Kathryn Hunt reflects on Maine tourism policy, using as a springboard for discussion two recent events: the National Folk Festival held in Bangor and the Biathlon World Cup held at the Maine Winter Sports Center venue in Fort Kent.


History + Resources = A Sense Of Place, Wendy Griswold Jan 2002

History + Resources = A Sense Of Place, Wendy Griswold

Maine Policy Review

Unlike many states, Maine has an unusually strong “sense of place,” or cultural regionalism. Wendy Griswold explores where this unusually strong sense comes from, and how it can be further nourished through literature. In doing so, she strengthens the argument for investments in cultural-heritage objects and activities as a means not only of reinforcing an already strong sense of identity among Mainers, but also of promoting Maine as a tourism destination.


Maine’S Investment Imperative, Laurie G. Lachance Jan 2002

Maine’S Investment Imperative, Laurie G. Lachance

Maine Policy Review

In the past two decades, Maine’s per capita income ranking has not topped 27th, and in recent years, the state’s relative position has dropped to 36th. More importantly, the gap between Maine and the United States has increased since 1990. In this article, Maine’s State Economist Laurie Lachance lays out a long-term investment strategy for Maine that focuses on education, research and development, comprehensive tax reform, greater efficiencies in the delivery of state and local services, and limits on government spending. Lachance argues that choices must be made even in times of fiscal crisis. Failure to invest means failure, period.


Ten Years Of Affordable Housing Policy: Is Maine Making Progress-- A Symposium, Elizabeth H. Mitchell, Dennis P. King, James B. Hatch, Jay Hardy Jan 1999

Ten Years Of Affordable Housing Policy: Is Maine Making Progress-- A Symposium, Elizabeth H. Mitchell, Dennis P. King, James B. Hatch, Jay Hardy

Maine Policy Review

In December 1987 Governor McKernan appointed a 30-member, statewide task force to address the issue of affordable housing in Maine. The task force was charged with investigating the quality and cost of affordable housing for lower- and middle-income families, and recommending a set of actions to improve the quality of existing housing as well as to increase the supply of housing. In September 1998 the Task Force issued a report that prescribed a number of local and regional—as well as private and public—solutions to the problem of affordable housing. More than ten years later Maine housing advocates note that the …


Tax Policy And Economic Development: A Roundtable Assessment, Christopher St. John, Alan P. Brigham, Charles Colgan, Brian H. Mahany Jan 1996

Tax Policy And Economic Development: A Roundtable Assessment, Christopher St. John, Alan P. Brigham, Charles Colgan, Brian H. Mahany

Maine Policy Review

Economic development continues to be a top policy issue for the state of Maine. Within the broad topic of economic development is the issue of tax policy, and the state continues to experiment with changes in traditional taxes, such as sales and income, as well as with newer approaches, such as Employment Tax Increment Financing. What works and what does not work? Can the state afford the potential loss of revenues associated with tax incentives? Who wins and who loses from these policies? To answer these questions, Maine Policy Review convened a panel of experts to review Maine’s record. Two …


Maine’S Workers’ Compensation System: Is It Making The Grade?, Jonathan W. Reitman Jan 1996

Maine’S Workers’ Compensation System: Is It Making The Grade?, Jonathan W. Reitman

Maine Policy Review

Fundamental changes in Maine’s workers' compensation system were legislated four years ago. What impact have they had and what remains on the policy agenda? This article provides a comprehensive and balanced assessment of that reform effort, suggesting dramatic improvements in the system. But work remains: Vocational rehabilitation, labor-management collaboration, and cost-containment are especially in need of improvement.


Building An Information Infrastructure, Christopher E. Hoy Jan 1996

Building An Information Infrastructure, Christopher E. Hoy

Maine Policy Review

How we provide education, how farmers and manufacturers do business in local and global economies, and how rapidly-improving technologies will drive life in the 21st century remain somewhat mysterious. Christopher E. Hoy has been at the forefront of a movement to develop a telecommunications infrastructure in the state of Nebraska. He initiated a project called “The Global Community Initiative.” As part of that project, Hoy organized more than 45 community information technology committees in rural Nebraska and developed a model planning process for them to follow. He describes this as a statewide, grass-roots organizing effort designed to stimulate demand for …