May 29, 2006
Commentary:Call and response | A recent survey and regular community events are key to developing a growth strategy for the midcoast
By Noah Keteyian
Executive director, Midcoast Magnet
What does it take to maintain an environment in which fast-moving companies and innovative professionals can thrive in Maine? That's a central question Midcoast Magnet has been working to answer since 2004. Midcoast Magnet is a grassroots group of business and civic leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, free agents, and more who are dedicated to building a strong, sustainable economy in the coastal and inland areas surrounding Rockland, Camden and Belfast.
To answer that central question we've taken the discussion to the community. We've brought people together in informal settings, holding forums, discussions, and parties in coffee shops, chambers of commerce and even an empty storefront. We've gathered information and worked to take action to produce positive and tangible change that will bring better jobs and preserve the way of life that means so much to us all. Then, in the fall of 2005, Midcoast Magnet launched our first online survey, which looked at about 20 different factors and characteristics that are needed to sustain a vibrant and thriving economy. We asked our survey takers to do two things: rate how important each characteristic is to the respondent personally; and rate how well he or she thinks the midcoast is meeting that need.
More than 400 people took the survey and what we learned from respondents was both predictable and surprising. (Those results, as well as insight and action ideas from our focus groups, are laid out in our Report to the Community, which we released in April and is available at www.midcoastmagnet.com.)
First off, we heard that the midcoast is doing very well in several areas that are important to developing a successful economy, such as offering a scenic setting, low crime rates and a variety of museums, art galleries, outdoor recreation options and family-oriented activities. These are the assets that bring people here and keep them here.
But there are areas where our respondents called for improvement if the region is to successfully attract, retain and connect the innovative professionals, entrepreneurs and families who form the base for a successful economy. Here are some of the weak spots in the midcoast:
ˆ Job opportunities
78% of the respondents said the availability of jobs was an "above average" or "high" concern for them, but only seven percent of that same group said the midcoast is doing well at providing job opportunities.
ˆ Affordable housing
79% of respondents said affordable housing was critically important to them, but only 10% of that same group said the midcoast was meeting its affordable housing needs.
ˆ Cost of living
90% said the cost of living was a very high concern for them, but only eight percent said the cost of living in the midcoast was acceptable.
ˆ Higher education opportunities
77% of respondents said the availability of higher education (colleges, universities, community colleges, etc.) was very important to them, but only 15% of that group thought the midcoast was meeting that need.
ˆ Places to socialize
70% of respondents said the availability of places to socialize was of above average or high importance to them, but only 29% of that group felt the midcoast offered enough of these venues.
ˆ Diversity of population
64% of respondents said a diverse population is very important to them, but only eight percent of that same group said the midcoast is a diverse community.
ˆ Quality of local K-12 schools
Only five percent of our respondents found the quality of K-12 schools to be "high" in the midcoast, while 55% of that same group said the quality of local schools was a very high priority for them.
ˆ High-speed Internet and mobile phone coverage
70% said high-speed Internet was very important to them, but only 31% felt the midcoast offered acceptable high-speed Internet service. Also, 67% said mobile phone coverage was very important to them, but only 11% felt coverage was good enough.
We followed this survey up with forums and focus groups around the region. About 300 people from all over the midcoast (and other parts of Maine) attended these discussions in Camden, Rockport, Belfast and Rockland. This afforded us the opportunity to drill a little deeper, develop a plan of action and get feedback along the way.
For example, as we talked to people about the stated need for more places to socialize, we found that people weren't saying they just wanted more bars or dance clubs in the midcoast. In fact, we found that innovative professionals and entrepreneurs were looking for "third places" (neither home nor workplace) where they could socialize and network with peers. And they wanted to do this in inspiring spaces such as museums, cafes and parks.
As a response to this particular need to connect professionally and socially, Midcoast Magnet creates events where people are encouraged to gather and discuss issues facing the community, particularly the business of creativity and innovation. Our next event will bring a panel of experts together for an informal chat with audience members about the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region. Plus, the event will be held at the Farnsworth Museum of Art in downtown Rockland, providing participants with an opportunity to meet up in an inspiring place.
Understanding our strengths and weaknesses as a region allows Midcoast Magnet to identify innovative projects that can create change for the better. Looking at the information we've gathered from our surveys helps us determine the focus of these projects, while our Report to the Community lays out that direction for Midcoast Magnet and our partners in the region for the coming year.
What does it take to maintain an environment in which fast-moving companies and innovative professionals can thrive in Maine? That's a central question Midcoast Magnet has been working to answer since 2004. Midcoast Magnet is a grassroots group of business and civic leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, free agents, and more who are dedicated to building a strong, sustainable economy in the coastal and inland areas surrounding Rockland, Camden and Belfast.
To answer that central question we've taken the discussion to the community. We've brought people together in informal settings, holding forums, discussions, and parties in coffee shops, chambers of commerce and even an empty storefront. We've gathered information and worked to take action to produce positive and tangible change that will bring better jobs and preserve the way of life that means so much to us all. Then, in the fall of 2005, Midcoast Magnet launched our first online survey, which looked at about 20 different factors and characteristics that are needed to sustain a vibrant and thriving economy. We asked our survey takers to do two things: rate how important each characteristic is to the respondent personally; and rate how well he or she thinks the midcoast is meeting that need.
More than 400 people took the survey and what we learned from respondents was both predictable and surprising. (Those results, as well as insight and action ideas from our focus groups, are laid out in our Report to the Community, which we released in April and is available at www.midcoastmagnet.com.)
First off, we heard that the midcoast is doing very well in several areas that are important to developing a successful economy, such as offering a scenic setting, low crime rates and a variety of museums, art galleries, outdoor recreation options and family-oriented activities. These are the assets that bring people here and keep them here.
But there are areas where our respondents called for improvement if the region is to successfully attract, retain and connect the innovative professionals, entrepreneurs and families who form the base for a successful economy. Here are some of the weak spots in the midcoast:
ˆ Job opportunities
78% of the respondents said the availability of jobs was an "above average" or "high" concern for them, but only seven percent of that same group said the midcoast is doing well at providing job opportunities.
ˆ Affordable housing
79% of respondents said affordable housing was critically important to them, but only 10% of that same group said the midcoast was meeting its affordable housing needs.
ˆ Cost of living
90% said the cost of living was a very high concern for them, but only eight percent said the cost of living in the midcoast was acceptable.
ˆ Higher education opportunities
77% of respondents said the availability of higher education (colleges, universities, community colleges, etc.) was very important to them, but only 15% of that group thought the midcoast was meeting that need.
ˆ Places to socialize
70% of respondents said the availability of places to socialize was of above average or high importance to them, but only 29% of that group felt the midcoast offered enough of these venues.
ˆ Diversity of population
64% of respondents said a diverse population is very important to them, but only eight percent of that same group said the midcoast is a diverse community.
ˆ Quality of local K-12 schools
Only five percent of our respondents found the quality of K-12 schools to be "high" in the midcoast, while 55% of that same group said the quality of local schools was a very high priority for them.
ˆ High-speed Internet and mobile phone coverage
70% said high-speed Internet was very important to them, but only 31% felt the midcoast offered acceptable high-speed Internet service. Also, 67% said mobile phone coverage was very important to them, but only 11% felt coverage was good enough.
We followed this survey up with forums and focus groups around the region. About 300 people from all over the midcoast (and other parts of Maine) attended these discussions in Camden, Rockport, Belfast and Rockland. This afforded us the opportunity to drill a little deeper, develop a plan of action and get feedback along the way.
For example, as we talked to people about the stated need for more places to socialize, we found that people weren't saying they just wanted more bars or dance clubs in the midcoast. In fact, we found that innovative professionals and entrepreneurs were looking for "third places" (neither home nor workplace) where they could socialize and network with peers. And they wanted to do this in inspiring spaces such as museums, cafes and parks.
As a response to this particular need to connect professionally and socially, Midcoast Magnet creates events where people are encouraged to gather and discuss issues facing the community, particularly the business of creativity and innovation. Our next event will bring a panel of experts together for an informal chat with audience members about the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the region. Plus, the event will be held at the Farnsworth Museum of Art in downtown Rockland, providing participants with an opportunity to meet up in an inspiring place.
Understanding our strengths and weaknesses as a region allows Midcoast Magnet to identify innovative projects that can create change for the better. Looking at the information we've gathered from our surveys helps us determine the focus of these projects, while our Report to the Community lays out that direction for Midcoast Magnet and our partners in the region for the coming year.
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