Pool cues | Sinking the eight ball in this economy means facing our demons
Have you ever seen Jeanette Lee work a pool cue? A few years ago, I got to see her perform an exhibition. For me — a guy who could never even shoot a combo — it is amazing to watch a professional pool player put eight balls in the pocket with one shot. That takes skill, planning and practice. When Jeanette Lee makes the pool table hum, it is wonderful to watch.
Like a pool table, Maine has several economic balls we need to put in the pockets. To improve our economy, we need to fix some problems. First, we have very high electricity costs — Maine’s industry pays about twice the national average for electricity. According to the latest data from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, industrial customers in only five other states have higher electricity costs than those in Maine. And four of those five states are in New England.
Second, we have an aging population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Maine has the highest average age in the country. The only demographic where Maine is gaining population is the over-55 years old set. While there are opportunities to use this older work force, we need to grow our younger demographic to attract businesses and to start new companies.
Third, climate change is here. If you don’t believe we are having a negative impact on our climate and biodiversity, ask a commercial fisherman — if you can find one. Groundfishing in Maine is almost extinct. Climate change and some serious fisheries management failures mean fish populations have dwindled significantly. Our local environment is changing and it isn’t good. The climate change problem is global and continues to get worse. The world is looking for answers.
Fourth, our per-capita incomes are some of the lowest in the country. According to the Maine Economic Growth Council, Maine’s per-capita income is 39th in the country at about $31,000 per year. The state with the highest per-capita income is Connecticut at just over $50,000 per year. That should be our target.
Fifth, Brunswick Naval Air Station is closing. The first squadron is already gone. By the end of 2010, all of the squadrons will be gone, and in 2011, the base will be empty. Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Steve Levesque and his team have done a great job managing this extraordinarily complex process. But even with all their success to date, more than 6,000 jobs will be lost as a result of this base closing.
These are big issues. They’re problems that dwarf others we’ve experienced to date. Each one taken alone would be challenging. Together, they could be devastating. Or not.
Acing the shot
What if we decided that we were going to use BNAS as a new energy center? From a ready-made facility in Brunswick, Maine, we could focus on energy efficiency and innovation.
Efficiency. Suppose the best companies in the world put their energy efficiency ideas to work here, retrofitting Maine’s buildings to use the least amount of energy? These companies might also focus on new designs of buildings and materials to expand these efforts. Clearly, Maine would be a wonderful laboratory. These activities could serve as a bridge to the future for some of Maine’s blue-collar work force. Weatherizing homes and businesses, installing solar panels and constructing state-of-the-art wind farms will all equal new jobs in Maine. More than that, the whole world is searching for these answers. Brunswick has the opportunity to lead the world in energy-efficient design, retrofitting and materials.
Innovation. What if the best alternative energy research and development companies in the world came here? In existing facilities in Brunswick, the world’s best ideas for tidal, solar, wind, geothermal and wood energies could be developed and demonstrated. We could find and attract companies that know how to commercialize innovation. With these new companies in Brunswick, not only would we create new jobs for Maine, but we could help solve some of the world’s most difficult challenges.
These are significant opportunities and they are within our reach. We’ll need to attract specific companies. We need companies that view climate change not as a threat but as an opportunity and can commercialize their innovation. We have a fantastic facility and a demonstrated need. We have notable competitive advantage with the natural resources in tide, wind and trees. We have the beginnings of some significant capability in composite manufacturing. Helping to solve the world’s energy problem is exciting and will attract younger people to Maine.
Electricity costs. An aging demographic. Climate change. Low per-capita income. BNAS closing. Let’s shoot a combo.
Matt Jacobson, president of Maine & Co. in Portland, can be reached at mjacobson@maineco.org.
Editor’s note: In light of Matt’s recent announcement that he is considering a run for governor, Mainebiz has decided to discontinue this column to avoid any perception of political favoritism. We appreciate Matt’s insights in Inside Out, and wish him the best.
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