🔒On living in Maine — and making a living in Maine

I've had several discussions recently about my perceptions about Maine's business climate. While I feel like I need to qualify these observations by saying that Pennsylvania is still a fresh memory and I have only been on Maine soil for six months, here is my take.

Hiring: In my travels around the state, I have continually heard how difficult it is for companies to fill positions. We heard it in Belfast when we met with JB Turner, manager partner of the Front Street Shipyard. We've heard it in roundtables with our “On the Road” events. Closer to home, in Yarmouth, I was talking to Scott Dugas, whose name is on many of the bulldozers, dump trucks and excavators you see there. He said his company had eight openings throughout the summer. They couldn't fill the positions. Mind you, experienced excavator operators can earn $60,000 to $90,000 a year, so we're not talking about entry level positions. For companies that are recruiting employees “from away,” I've heard a lot about the issue of what happens when the hypothetical person from away can get a job but the spouse or partner cannot. In some cases, depending on where they're coming from, that can be mitigated by a lower cost of housing and fewer expenses related to commuting, insurance and services.

Economic incentives: As much as there are programs and incentives for companies, it seems like, for better or for worse, Maine does not offer as many corporate gimmes as I observed when I was in Philadelphia, where Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and New York were constantly bidding against one another for business headquarters. A city like Philadelphia, which has limited resources of its own, is at often at war with New Jersey, which can offer incentives to lure companies across the Delaware River, allowing companies to retain employees while benefitting from tax incentives or other breaks. To this end, while Maine may be in danger of losing businesses to New Hampshire or Massachusetts, there seems to be a limited budget for economic development handouts, and that may be a good thing in the long run since the state also isn't creating incentive-laden packages that place a burden on the rest of taxpayers.

Maine as a place to live: A friend who works in a bookstore told me, “Maine is a great place to live, but a hard place to make a living.” Before moving to Maine, when we were visitors only, we were certain Maine was a great place to visit. Whether you're from Pennsylvania or Massachusetts or California, that's pretty well acknowledged. I feel like it's not as common outside the state to recognize Maine as a great place to live. Most perceptions revolve around weather — Maine is cold or it snows a lot or the water's cold. This is often said by people who live in states that are themselves no garden spot. I have come to believe that the living in Maine is a well-kept secret, propagated by the above perceptions. Now, I've been told numerous times not to proclaim Maine as a great place to live until I've been here at least two years — and endured two winters. But I've spent winters in Iowa, Vermont and the snow belt of Indiana and I should add that no one goes to Pennsylvania to spend the winter. So, here's what I can say: I've been pleasantly surprised by how many people move here and stay here because of the water, mountains, woods or other natural beauty — that they came here for those reasons first and for a job second. Having a ski trail or the water nearby can make a huge difference in someone's happiness. Having good schools is a bonus, of course, and there is an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops and arts-and-cultural attractions to add to the quality of life.