Governor Baldacci gives
John Rohman, chair of the Maine Arts Commission, an award from the Maine Film Office for
his work with the creative economy. The governor’s new Maine Attraction Film Tax
Incentive law gives tax breaks to film companies that choose to produce movies in Maine.
"We’ve never been able to compete
with other states, and now we can," said Lea Girardin, director of the state’s
Film Office. "Just this week alone we had four new production calls coming into the
office."
By Ramona du Houx
Governor John E. Baldacci is a forward
thinker whose vision for the state includes all aspects of living in Maine —
"the way life should be."
He listens to people, analyzes what needs
to be accomplished in an area, sets up a team to gather further information, and takes
immediate action. He builds coalitions to achieve objectives for the benefit of all
Mainers. He has positioned Maine well for the 21st-century knowledge-based economy.
Because he understands that one issue never
can be fully isolated — they are all interrelated — he was able to embrace the
potential of promoting the creative economy from the start and held a creative economy
conference which led to communities all around Maine identifying and strengthening their
creative economy segments.
Young people came up to the governor after
the first conference and told him how excited they were that they would be able to do the
things they love to do here in Maine. "I felt that was what it’s all
about," said Baldacci. "It’s exciting, and it’s happening here."
Since the conference, the governor formed
the Creative Economy Council, signed legislation to support creative economy initiatives,
formed the Creative Economy Steering Committee, funded local initiatives, and approved tax
incentives aimed at expanding Maine’s film industry.
The interrelated nature of the creative
economy and its benefits are just beginning to be understood.
Stress-release activities enhance the
quality of life. Going to see a good play, a concert, or enjoying an ethnic festival,
releases stress. Working day in, day out, without some relief from the tensions leads to
lethargy and a decrease in workers’ productivity. Just having a local restaurant or
café to sit down and relax in enhances life. Being able to enjoy fresh air and outdoor
activities in nature are major stress relievers.
Living in "suburbia USA" and
commuting long distances to work has led to dissatisfaction for millions of Americans.
According to a nationwide survey, Americans are not any "happier or satisfied"
than they were in the 1950s, though incomes have increased. The reason was attributed to
"the lack of quality of life."
New handbooks produced will help
entrepreneurs access tools to succeed
At the renovated Bates Mill Complex in
Lewiston last June, Governor Baldacci presented two new resource booklets: Maine’s
Creative Economy Community Handbook: Maine State Government Resources for Communities
and Maine’s Creative Economy: Connecting Creativity, Commerce & Community. These
publications are available online at the Department of Economic and Community Development
(DECD), www.econdevmaine.com or at their offices throughout the state.
"The quality of our workers is
second to none," said the governor. "Mainers are the gold standard. The economic
engines that create opportunity are our people — our youth, our creative workers and
our creative entrepreneurs — and we must provide them with the resources and support
to be able to succeed," said Baldacci. "With the release of the handbook and the
report, we have established a clear path to continue Maine’s growth in the creative
industries."
According to the report the creative
economy comprises 67,446 people. They earn an average of $48,557, which is 33 percent
higher than the state average of $32,661. In 2003, Maine’s arts and cultural sectors
generated $1.5 billion in sales.
The handbook serves as a guide for
communities and groups looking to cultivate the creative sector in their area. Examples of
success stories have been highlighted in the booklet along with tools to organize creative
assets for economic and community development.
According to the report, from 2000 to 2004
Maine’s creative workforce added 5,474 jobs to the economy and grew by nine percent,
compared to the state’s overall job growth rate of seven percent.
The report states: "In measuring
Maine’s arts and cultural sector, we can estimate the size of the tip of the iceberg,
but under the surface exists an even larger critical mass of creative talent that, with
targeted business assistance, may be leveraged into new sources of income for Maine
people."
The handbook brings together the different
agencies for creative entrepreneurs to contact for business assistance — something
never done before. The listings that describe different organizations to contact, that
provide business and community support, infrastructure, and funding resources, are
invaluable.
"We wanted to provide all of the tools
and knowledge necessary for communities to start or expand the creative economy at the
local grassroots level. This is an important step," said Jeff Sosnaud, DECD deputy
commissioner. "Creative industries are going to keep Maine competitive on a global
level."
The report recommends expanding the
industry 20 percent by 2015 with these actions:
• Following the governor’s plan
to grow the state’s research and development activity to $1 billion per year by 2010
• Doubling the arts and cultural
sector
• Improving infrastructure
• Continuing investment in the
creative workforce
• Continuing support in art education,
revitalization of downtowns, and fostering creative partnerships
Todd McIntosh and Jon Tuttle moved their
high-end cabinetry business to Lewiston in 2000, but at that time every bank in town
turned them down for a loan. They contacted the Small Businesses Administration and made
their dream a reality. McIntosh said this new handbook would have helped, and he is glad
that it is now there for others to access. He thanked the governor for believing in the
creative economy as a real economic force.
"We started out projecting 100,000 in annual business
— we ended up doing close to a million," said McIntosh.
"As governor of the state of
Maine, accepting the challenges that we have as a state, you don’t want to be
undertaking things that aren’t good fits for Maine. The initiatives, the programs,
the policies that you are trying to implement are polices that should stimulate and grow
the state. We don’t want to waste our time on things that aren’t good things for
Maine. We have to continue to grow Maine by playing off of our strengths. That’s why
I’m excited about the creative economy. It has always been a good fit for
Maine," said the governor. "With this initiative, and my overarching vision for
the state, we’re going to continue to see Maine grow."
"The creative economy has strongly
resonated with both artists and economic developers," said John Rohman, chair of the
Maine Arts Commission. Rohman said the handbook can be used to cultivate small arts-based
endeavors, as well as part of a plan to attract larger technology-based industries to an
area.
Rohman, an owner of an architectural firm
that employs 75 people who are working on projects all over America, has been the catalyst
for communities to focus on the creative economy for a long time. He was key in helping
Bangor embrace its potential, and was instrumental in having the University of Maine at
Orono move its museum, making it more accessible.
The creative economy involves everyone.
Though people generally think of it as artists, architects, and designers, there are a
host of other businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions that play
a vital role.
According to Richard Florida’s book on
the creative economy, there are three major components: talent, technology, and tolerance.
Talent —
The talent in Portland and other Maine
communities is obvious. Portland is home to 352 arts-related businesses that employ more
than 2,300 people. Creative businesses sustain the city’s economic vitality, help
tourism, and promote economic development. "I believe that the arts are certainly
good for the soul, and I know that art means business in Portland," said Mayor James
Cohen. "Arts, culture, and our creative businesses are absolutely essential to what
Portland is all about."
Inc. Magazine recently ranked the City of
Portland 20th in the list of "Best Midsize Cities for Business."
"The creative economy starts at the
grass roots," said McIntosh. His Lewiston business relies on over 100 local artisans
for high-end finishing work for their cabinets. "The recognition of the creative
economy has given craftspeople new-found enthusiasm for what we do, it’s made us feel
valued, and renewed our sense of pride in what we do. Maine has a long heritage of
incredible quality craftsmanship; hopefully we’re continuing that tradition."
Governor Baldacci admires an Indian talking
stick, which was a gift from Penobscot tribal Chief James Sappier. The creative economy
promotes traditional arts. Recently the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance store in Old
Town has added different kinds of traditional crafts to meet market interest.
"Bangor is a real leader among
communities around the state for finding an appropriate way to address the arts and
culture and the creative economy within its local structure," said Arts Commission
Director Alden Wilson. "It’s the only city in Maine, to my knowledge, that has
created a cultural commission within city government."
Cities big or small are realizing that
talented people are assets. Rockland formed Midcoast Magnet to attract young, creative
professionals to the Midcoast Maine area. Across the state eight cities have been
designated as Maine Street Maine communities and are revitalizing their areas, embracing
the talented people in their communities.
Technology —
The technology component is being able to
have access to the highest quality information technology (IT). Companies providing these
services are an integral component of the creative economy. With the governor’s
ConnectME program internet technology infrastructure and telecommuting are expanding on a
daily basis.
Educating students in IT technology by
ensuring the laptop program continues — and is expanded upon — will continue to
build a knowledge-based workforce for the future. The governor, working with the
Legislature, secured the needed funds for the program during the last session.
Andrew Harris is the executive director
of L/A Arts, a community organization in Lewiston/Auburn that has been promoting the arts
since 1972. Every summer L/A Arts puts on free plays. "It’s wonderful, people
from all backgrounds can enjoy a summer’s evening," said Harris. Organizations
like L/A Arts add to the quality of life that enriches the creative economy. "L/A
Arts is a catalyst for arts in the community."
Tolerance —
The people of Maine have proven, with their
vote against discrimination last November, when they defended the governor’s
antidiscrimination law, that they are tolerant of all law-abiding citizens.
In 2003, when outside influences tried to
force their opinions onto the people of Maine, Lewiston stood up for their Somali
population. In record numbers the people of Maine took to the streets, demonstrating that
they believe in diversity and living in a tolerant society.
This July a pig’s head was thrown into
a Muslim temple in downtown Lewiston. This desecrating hate crime attacks believers of the
Muslim faith who do not eat pork. Lewiston police acted swiftly and apprehended the
criminal.
"It is important for all of us in the
state of Maine to recognize that Americans and Mainers should be able to offer prayer in a
house of worship and that an attack on anyone’s house of prayer is an attack on all
of our houses of prayer," said Baldacci when he opened Maine’s first
Multicultural Office in Portland, a week after the incident. "All that’s
necessary for us to do is to not quietly stand by, but to stand as one — as citizens
of this state — to say we will not tolerate this kind of behavior."
Stand as one they did.
At a rally at Kennedy Park in Lewiston,
people of a variety of denominations, people of many occupations, and students displayed
their solidarity with the governor.
Maine has the required T’s of the
creative economy in abundance.
Cities throughout Maine celebrate the
diversity of our cultures. The American Folk Festival in Bangor brings people together
from all across the state. L/A Arts in Lewiston offers a host of educational arts
activities as well as free summer concerts. The state even has a Shakespearean Festival at
Monmouth Theater, and schools throughout Maine benefit from the theater’s traveling
Shakespearean plays. These events enrich Maine’s ever evolving creative economy.
Governor Baldacci visited the Munjoy Hill
Observatory, which was recently renovated. Museums, libraries, and historic sites are all
vital to the creative economy.
"Maine is the place to be. Continuing
to invest in Maine’s natural resources and cultural heritage will strengthen
Maine’s brand as a great state to live and do business. "
—Governor Baldacci
With the creative economy, people who have
been laid off from jobs that used to represent security can now find new avenues to make
incomes, after becoming retrained in the governor’s community college system. Their
new professions have given them skills that add to Maine’s creative economy and hope
for their futures.
Maine’s entrepreneurial spirit is
being fostered and encouraged in a new educational push to encourage students to become
small-business oriented in grade school, high school, as well as in the community colleges
and university system.
The creative economy is revitalizing
downtowns across the state as entrepreneurs are following their dreams and opening new
business. Over 1,400 small businesses were launched over the past three years, creating
5,000 new jobs. This is the creative economy on the move.
According to the Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation, most new job growth in Maine is coming from small businesses. The study said
Maine has 360 entrepreneurs for every 10,000 Mainers, well above the national average of
290 per 10,000. This ranks Maine 13th in the nation for entrepreneurial activity.
As one of five states that are experiencing
an in-migration, Maine is also welcoming a diverse group of entrepreneurs. Some are people
coming to the state to retire, some are baby boomers who have made good incomes. The
latter are now changing their professions and are actively looking for
"quality-life" areas to relocate to — places were they can realize their
dreams in good communities, with good internet connections.
"The creative economy is a major piece
of my economic development plan," said the governor.
Governor Baldacci celebrates with the
director of Empire Falls, Fred Schepisi, its writer Richard Russo, and a local cast
member Delia Robertson, before the HBO premier of the film in Waterville. When the
film’s production came to the state, Maine made $38 million through economic
development. With the governor’s new film tax incentive, calls for potential film
projects, television, and commercials have been received at the Film Office.
Waterville also hosts an international film
festival, which just received a grant from the Office of Tourism for $50,000.
"The best way to grow Maine’s
economy is through creative enterprise," said David Cheever of Maine’s Cultural
Affairs Council. "The creative economy taps into why people do what they do. The
quality of life in Maine is so good, people want to live here. We need to trumpet the
success story of how Maine is continuing to attract people in the creative sector. The
governor sees where the best chance of growth is, in the economy, and that’s in
people who want to live here and do things that ad value to all our lives."
When Empire Falls came to the state,
Maine made $38 million through economic development. With the new Maine Attraction Film
Tax Incentive law, which gives tax breaks to film companies that choose to produce movies
in Maine, the Film Office has begun to receive calls inquiring about potential films.
"We’ve never been able to compete
with other states, and now we can," said Lea Girardin, director of the state’s
Film Office, also thanking the governor for his leadership. "Just this week alone we
had four to five new production calls coming into the office."
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