GOVERNOR RECEIVES REPORT FROM COUNCIL ON JOBS, INNOVATION AND ECONOMY

The following information was released by the Maine Governor:

Governor John Baldacci met today with members of Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy and accepted their interim report on cluster development. The Commission included recommendations to fund cluster development at $10 million a year, to be open to all sectors with a competitive process for the funding. They further commended the Governor for the $8 Million proposed in the biennial budget as a significant first step in achieving this goal and urged that it receive the support of the Legislature.

The Governor thanked the Council for their hard work to develop this interim report. He noted that he had recently returned from the National Governors' Association winter meeting, where a predominant message was the importance of innovation and cluster development.

"This is an area that is receiving national focus," said Governor Baldacci. "And Maine is in the forefront. In this global economy, it's vital that Maine place itself in a strong competitive position."

The Governor said that Maine has already been focusing attention on some promising clusters. "The State was successful in obtaining a $15 million Wired Grant - an example of how the traditional Maine boat building business coupled with innovation can provide growth and opportunity," said the Governor.

The Governor established the Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy late last year to develop an action plan for moving the state forward on the innovation-focused and cluster development activities that will define the state's investment strategies. A second charge of the group is to develop specific recommendations for a research and development bond. That report will be forthcoming in the near future.

"Cluster development is a growth strategy for the future of Maine," said the Governor. "It's about using our competitive assets and building on our strengths. Investment in our boat building, food industry, natural resources and biofuels, and other clusters - will enable us to build sustainable economic development and jobs for many years to come. But to do this we have to be focused. We have a proven spirit of entrepreneurialism, but we have to get a critical mass. In developing clusters we will grow Maine's economy, create good jobs with benefits, and create opportunity for Maine people."

The Governor's Biennial budget appropriates $3 million in the first year and $5 million in the second year to cluster development.

"It's just so important that we put the politics aside and do what's best for Maine's future," Governor Baldacci said.