History of the Strategic Planning Process

In early 2019, the Administration of Governor Janet Mills started creating Maine’s first formal ten-year strategic economic development plan for the State of Maine. The initiative was led by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), in partnership with other government agencies, business leaders and private organizations, and focused on strategies to enhance economic growth, particularly in rural Maine, and address Maine’s workforce challenges. The strategic plan is the first of its kind in more than two decades.

This effort, which included over 1,500 voices in public meetings, online comments, and a diverse set of working group members, culminated in November 2019, when Governor Janet Mills released the State’s new 10-year strategic economic development plan.

The process was led by Bruce Wagner, CEO of FAME, and was guided by a co-created mission.

Strategic Work Team Mission

• We will create an inclusive, data driven roadmap to bring prosperity to all Maine people in an environment where all can live, work, and learn in every region of the state.
• Working Philosophies
  •  Non-partisan perspective – what is right not who is right
  •  Transparent and collaborative with public and private constituents
  •  Seek breakthrough strategies
  •  Assign accountability to drive persistent deployment
  •  Assign metrics for deployment management

Governor Mills established a working team to lead the development of a strategic plan for Maine’s Economy.  The list of team members is as follows:

Steering Committee:

• Bruce Wagner, CEO of Finance Authority of Maine, Chair
• Sarah Curran, Senior Policy Analyst, Governor’s Office of Policy and Management
• Peggy Schaffer, Small Business Advocate, Office of the Secretary of State, DECD Liaison
• Amanda Rector, Maine State Economist
• Kate Foye, Legislative and Communications Affairs, Department of Economic & Community Development
• Torrey Gray, Development Program Manager, Department of Economic & Community Development

Strategic Work Team:

• Yellow Light Breen, President and CEO, Maine Development Foundation
• Kim Smith, Deputy Commissioner, Maine Department of Labor
• Amy Landry, Executive Director, AVCOG
• Ben Gilman, Government Relations Attorney, Maine State Chamber of Commerce
• Brian Whitney, President, Maine Technology Institute
• John Burns, Managing Director, Maine Venture Fund
• Keith Bisson, President, Coastal Enterprises
• Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President, University of Maine
• John Napolitano, President, Maine State Building and Construction Trades Council, Labor Representative
• David Daigler, President, Maine State Community College System
• Paul Towle, CEO Aroostook Partnership
• Kimberly Hamilton, President, FocusMaine
• Julia Trujillo Luengo, Director, Office of Economic Opportunity, City of Portland 

Original Plan Development Timeline