AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Gov. Janet Mills released a Strategic Economic Development Plan today for Maine. Several members of the university community contributed their expertise to the planning process. This engagement was led by University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, who served as the System’s representative to the Strategic Work Team. In September, UMS campuses (UMaine, USM, UMPI, and UMM) served as convening points across the state for the Maine DECD Strategic Planning Solutions Summit.
University leaders welcomed the release of the Strategic Economic Development Plan, noted the connections to the UMS R&D Plan, and committed to the collaboration that will be needed to successfully implement the bold vision for Maine’s economic future.
Statement of University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy:
“Maine’s public universities develop the state’s future workforce, attracting and retaining tens of thousands of talented people to study, live, and work in Maine. We also accelerate discovery and innovations in both iconic and emerging industries. Maine’s new Strategic Economic Development Plan promotes focus and partnership, aligning our public university teaching, research, and outreach to best serve our state and position Maine as a national leader in the 21st-century knowledge economy.There are strong connections between this new economic path forward for our state and the University of Maine System R&D plan authored by President Ferrini-Mundy. I want to thank our UMaine president for her leadership on the strategic work team and express appreciation to the many members of the university community whose expertise helped shape the Strategic Economic Development Plan.
“Gov. Mills and her team have provided strong vision and leadership. Maine’s universities are eager to work with our community, government, and industry partners to build a stronger economic future for Maine and its people.”
Statement of University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy:
“The Strategic Economic Development Plan is a vital framework for defining the future of prosperity in Maine. The plan highlights the importance of research and development in growing Maine’s economy, and improving the value-added contribution of Maine jobs. The University of Maine is expanding its capacity and strengthening its partnerships statewide to help provide an R&D environment to attract and grow businesses.
The plan clearly articulates that developing talent is the foundation to its successful implementation, and University of Maine System institutions have an essential role, in partnership with the Maine Community College System and preK-12 education, to make the highest quality education available to everyone in Maine. The plan gives us goals and targets that will drive our collaborations statewide to improve the lives of the people of Maine today and tomorrow.”
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Distributed December 11, 2019