Building Maine’s creative economy and the State’s Creative Community Handbook

This report articulates the
many ways in which a creative
economy development strategy
for Maine cuts across and
bolsters all state initiatives to
increase jobs and wealth for
Maine people.

On May 6-7, 2004, close to 700 people gathered at the Bates Mill Complex in Lewiston, Maine, to attend
a Blaine House Conference on the Creative Economy. In the year leading up to the conference, more
than 1,000 Maine people participated in planning sessions held all over the state. The event created
enormous excitement among participants, which has since spread to every region of Maine.
From Eastport to Portland, from Norway to the Midcoast, communities have launched initiatives focused
on the creative economy.

Just recently, more than 200 business men and women attended a Madawaska
Region Chamber of Commerce meeting to plan ways to strengthen the region’s creative economy. To the
south, more than 700 participants gathered at the North Dam Mill in Biddeford to view the displays of
more than 65 local artists, and discuss the development of a cultural plan for Saco-Biddeford. In doing
so, they raised nearly $4,000 to support upcoming arts and cultural events in the area.

Clearly, something has taken root in Maine. That something is called the “creative economy”—a term
that refers to two economic factors:
the rising importance of creative workers in creating new jobs and
companies and in helping mature industries retool for the future; and
the recognition of arts and cultural assets as more than contributors to quality
of life in a particular place, but as important economic drivers for the region.

This report focuses on these two factors. It is the product of close to one year of research
and discussion by Maine’s Creative Economy Council. Established by Executive Order
in May 2005, the council was charged by Maine’s Governor Baldacci with giving “advice,
support and assistance” in the creation and implementation of public and private creative
economy initiatives.

Full Report: http://www.econdevmaine.com/resources/pdfs/creative_economy.pdf

Maine’s Creative Economy Community Handbook http://www.econdevmaine.com/resources/pdfs/creative_economy_handbook.pdf

(Many thanks to Ed Morrison http://edpro.blogspot.com/ for passing this along. Russ)

Maine lags nation in high-speed Internet penetration but it has a plan. http://www.matr.net/article-20428.html