UMaine Researchers, Federal Reserve Bank Official to Address Economic Development Conference at Lucerne Inn
Contact: Todd Gabe, Dept. of Resource Economics, 207-581-3307;
Jim McConnon, Cooperative Extension and Dept. of Resource Economics, 207-581-3165.
ORONO, Maine — Communities across Maine and the nation are struggling with a reduction in manufacturing jobs and issues related to changing demographics and fiscal crises. Mark R. Drabenstott, vice-president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and director of its Center for the Study of Rural America, will address these and other themes in his keynote speech at a conference, Opportunities and Challenges: Economic Development for Maine Communities, at the Lucerne Inn on Oct. 21.
The University of Maine Department of Resource Economics and Policy (REP) is organizing and sponsoring the meeting in order to provide information about resources to community leaders and others interested in economic development.
“Our goal is to pull together and explore information about the challenges and opportunities facing rural economies. Maine is at the forefront of these trends, transitioning from a manufacturing based economy to a more diversified economy,” says James McConnon, associate professor in REP, small business specialist with UMaine Cooperative Extension and a conference organizer. Other organizers include Todd Gabe, Tai Cheng and Tom Allen of REP.
A morning panel discussion after Drabenstott’s speech will include comments from Robert Baldacci of Pierce Atwood, LLP; Jonathan Daniels of Eastern Maine Development Corporation; Laurie Lachance of the Maine State Planning Office; and Steve Deller of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (formerly of UMaine).
Daniel Innis, dean of the Maine Business School, will provide remarks at noon, and UMaine researchers working on economic development issues will describe their studies in the afternoon. They include Greg White on grocery retailing, Kevin Boyle on land use change and Todd Gabe on tourism.
The meeting is scheduled to conclude at 2:30.
There is a $30 registration fee which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The registration deadline is October 18. More information is available here or from Todd Gabe, 207-581-3307.