{"id":746,"date":"2023-05-15T13:19:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T17:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mieab\/?page_id=746"},"modified":"2023-05-16T13:45:36","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T17:45:36","slug":"action-plan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/mieab\/action-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"The Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Vision <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This plan envisions a resilient, innovation-driven economy that creates opportunities for all Maine people. This vision is: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bold <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It envisions a transformative increase in R&D to push Maine onto a higher growth path and yield benefits for generations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built on Success <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Maine\u2019s proven R&D successes are the cornerstone of this evidence-based vision. It prioritizes the sectors and programs that have generated the most opportunities for Maine businesses and workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socially Inclusive <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It recognizes the need for R&D investments, especially those supported by taxpayers, to improve the lives of all Maine people. It emphasizes the importance of workforce development to ensure that all interested workers can acquire the skills to thrive in technology-intensive careers. It also supports commercialization, which extends the opportunities created by R&D to people with a broader range of skills, interests, and levels of education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geographically Inclusive <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It envisions R&D investments across a range of sectors that collectively benefit the entire state, growing opportunities across Maine\u2019s rural forests, farmlands, coastline, and urban centers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aligned <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is informed by a comprehensive review of plans guiding the current work of Maine leaders in public policy, research, education, workforce development, and the environment. It builds on, and aligns with, these plans to leverage the best thinking of Maine leaders and ensure the efficient use of valuable resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comprehensive <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It recognizes the contributions of a broad range of stakeholders \u2014 including businesses, investors, educators, workers, taxpayers, and public, private, and nonprofit research institutions \u2014 and calls for aligning them for maximum mutual benefit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Implementation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MIEAB is the principal entity responsible for implementing this plan. Its work will include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awareness & Coalition Building <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

MIEAB\u2019s membership will promote this vision within their organizations and across their established networks. Given Maine\u2019s size, MIEAB\u2019s thirty well-connected members can effectively share the plan\u2019s vision and recommendations with partners across Maine\u2019s research, education, and business communities. Members will strive to align messaging and policies, coordinate resource allocation, and avoid duplication by working with allies in state government, PreK-12 schools and higher education (public and private), healthcare, and groups such as the Bioscience Association of Maine, Educate Maine, Environmental and Energy Technology Council of Maine (E2Tech), Focus Maine, FOR\/Maine, Maine & Company, Maine Center for Entrepreneurship, Maine Climate Council, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Venture Fund, MaineSpark, and organizations involved in geospatial mapping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Progress Reviews<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

MIEAB will review progress on this plan and its goals as part of its ongoing work. Building on existing systems, it will monitor changes in R&D expenditures, and postsecondary training and education reported annually by the Maine Economic Growth Council and Educate Maine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updates <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

During its reviews, MIEAB will assess the need to modify this plan in response to changing external conditions. Maine\u2019s EPSCoR office will record these modifications for inclusion in future updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n

Economic Impact <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Technological innovation and workforce development are proven ingredients for economic growth that creates lasting, well-paid jobs. (4)<\/a> According to the Maine Department of Labor, occupations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics pay 93% more on average than those in other sectors. (5)<\/a> Moreover, they are growing faster. From 2012 to 2022, Maine science and technology jobs grew 21%, compared to just 3% growth for jobs in other sectors. (6)<\/a> Through 2028, these sectors are expected to grow another 6% while the rest of Maine\u2019s job market remains relatively flat, growing just 0.3%. (7)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within this very broad sector, some fields are expanding even faster. For example, jobs in life sciences have grown 48% from 6,456 in 2011 to 9,540 in 2021 \u2014 the fastest pace of any New England state. (8) <\/a>The average annual pay for these positions is $108,000. (9)<\/a> Information technology jobs are also growing quickly. They are expected to nearly double from 10,600 in 2012 to 20,200 in 2028. (10)<\/a> Science and technology jobs directly benefit those who hold them, and indirectly benefit the communities in which they and their families live, and the businesses they frequent. Moreover, the sales, investments, and grants they generate and attract support other Maine businesses in industries as diverse as construction, accounting, and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Growth in Maine\u2019s Science and Technology Sectors <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>2012<\/th>2022<\/th>2028 Projected<\/th>2022-2028 Change Number *<\/th>2022-2028 Change Percentage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Science and Technology Sectors<\/td>52,388<\/td>63,130<\/td>67,093<\/td>3,963<\/td>6%<\/td><\/tr>
All Other Sectors<\/td>634,866<\/td>656,963<\/td>658,747<\/td>1,785<\/td>0.3%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

Source: Crawley and Bailey, 2022
*Numbers may not add due to rounding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A line graph that shows how science and technology sector jobs are expected to grow faster than jobs in other sectors. Source: Crawley and Bailey, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another way to measure science and technology\u2019s economic contribution is through Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the sum of all goods and services produced in a year. From 2000 to 2021, the combined GDP of all Maine industries rose 31%, adjusting for inflation. The chart below shows how certain sectors that rely on science and technology grew even more. \u201cMiscellaneous professional, science, and technology services,\u201d the category that includes much of Maine\u2019s life science research industry, engineering firms, and technical consulting services, grew 77%. Food and beverage manufacturing grew 98%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sector includes businesses that turn raw foods, often harvested from Maine\u2019s farms and waters, into products for consumption. Output grew even more \u2014 over 300% \u2014 among Maine computer and electronic manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, data and information service providers, and computer systems developers. These trends highlight why investments in science and technology are essential for economic development. (11)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growth of Select Science & Technology Sectors (2000-2021, Real GDP)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Misc. Prof, Science & Tech Services: 77%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food & Bev Mfg: 98%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computer & Electronic Mfg: 344%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemical Mfg: 387%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data & Info Services: 470%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computer Systems Design & Related: 655%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Maine Industries Average = 33%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GDP Growth of Select Science and Technology Sectors<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>2000<\/th>2021<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
All Maine Industries<\/strong><\/td>48,490<\/td>63,595<\/td>31%<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td> <\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Select Science and Technology Sectors<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Miscellaneous professional, scientific, and technical services<\/td>1,442<\/td>2,553<\/td>77%<\/td><\/tr>
Food and beverage and tobacco product manufacturing<\/td>549<\/td>1,087<\/td>98%<\/td><\/tr>
Computer and electronic product manufacturing<\/td>140<\/td>623<\/td>344%<\/td><\/tr>
Chemical manufacturing<\/td>186<\/td>908<\/td>387%<\/td><\/tr>
Data processing, hosting, and other information services<\/td>47<\/td>267<\/td>470%<\/td><\/tr>
Computer systems design and related services<\/td>142<\/td>1,073<\/td>655%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

GDP ($ millions, inflation-adjusted)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n