40 Under 40: Brandon McDonald advocates for economic progress in northern Maine
PHOTO / SOUBAnh Phanthay
Brandon McDonald is regional hub coordinator for the Northern Maine Development Commission.
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Significant professional accomplishment: Since joining the Maine Small Business Development Centers in 2020, and then with the Northern Maine Development Commission, I’ve had the honor of assisting hundreds of Maine businesses in securing over $40 million in vital funding, from pandemic relief grants and ARPA investments to loan funds.
Witnessing firsthand how this support has empowered businesses to maintain operations, retain staff, and invest in growth has been incredibly rewarding. Even as the world stabilizes, the impact from these investments continues to create positive, lasting changes in our rural communities.
Current state of mind: Growing up in rural Maine offered me some shelter from the world’s challenges. But today’s complexities like economic uncertainty, mental health issues and environmental concerns are becoming part of our everyday lives.
My “dad hat” goes on when I get home, and it’s important to find the balance between being our best, contributing to our community and supporting others — but also addressing our own needs.
Passion project: I am a proud graduate of the TRIO program, and I believe that it, along with Junior Achievement and JMG are instrumental for growing Maine’s future leaders. That is why I love working with these programs, whether it’s instructing Upward Bound’s summer programming, supporting TRIO through legislative advocacy, or hosting and mentoring JMG students.
The enthusiasm I see from students in these programs help me envision a 2030 full of energetic leaders who have the confidence to bring new ideas to propel Maine forward!
‘Lightbulb’ moment: Fifteen years ago I was developing and managing a video game and felt my hobby just became my job. So I went to Northern Maine Community College where I scored a work study job in the public relations office. I gained a mentor and a boss who oversaw a massive investment in the school.
At that point, I realized that video game development and economic development went hand in hand. The base premise is “how can we make something that other people will enjoy and benefit from?” It was a no-brainer to make the jump and work in economic development.
Audacious goal: I hope for a Maine where rural communities have centralized entrepreneurship communities, with leaders who network them to the right organization for their needs. While regional programs exist and thrive, it’s not feasible to network Allagash into Bangor. So it comes as no surprise that initiatives can struggle to reach rural populations — simply by not being present in their target communities.
Favorite quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” — Wayne Gretzky
Influential book: “Strengths Based Leadership” follows the teachings of Don Clifton and delves into why we make the decisions we make, and how psychological diversity is such an integral part of creating a strong management team.
Favorite movie, TV shows: The new “Beverly Hills Cop” movie brings the nostalgia factor back. But my two favorite local shows are “Greenlight Maine” and “Welcome to Maine” — I am holding out for the crossover episode!
Best way to recharge: I am the luckiest nerd in the world. My basement is a converted arcade and board game room, with a small recording studio for me to make acoustic guitar covers of video game renditions. For me, there is no better way to relax than watching my kids enjoy pinball with a backtrack of some lo-fi Nintendo music.
At age 60: I will probably have a face tattoo of a bowl of poutine and a debilitating addiction to Bixby chocolates. I’ll be living in an Allagash house from Tiny Homes of Maine, somewhere on the St. John Valley border. Most likely, my wife and I will be trying to explain to our grandkids what a GameCube is.
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