Tech jobs report shows ups, downs More at work in state, but total still low

PORTLAND – Maine, which has put considerable effort into attracting high-tech industries, gets mixed reviews on its performance in generating jobs in the emerging field.

A ranking by the American Electronics Association and Nasdaq Stock Exchange says Maine’s tech companies employed 13,722 people last year, compared to 12,934 in 1999. The 6 percent increase put Maine ahead of most states for percentage of jobs gained.

However, Maine ranked 45th among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for the total number of tech jobs.

And with technology jobs paying an average of $41,865 in 1999 in Maine, the state’s annual earnings level ranked 43rd in the nation, well below the average of $64,863 for such jobs.

The report looks at employment and pay for jobs in high-technology manufacturing, software and computer-related fields and telecommunications.

Its findings raised concerns from a management professor at the University of Maine. “It’s nice that we exceeded the national average” in new tech jobs, said John Mahon. “But are we holding onto those jobs that are coming in?”

While the report, “Cyberstates 2001: A State-by-State Overview of the High-Technology Industry,” covers a recent period, the outlook for Maine tech industries has darkened since it was completed.

EnvisioNet, which provides technical support to computer users, announced last month it was laying off up to 560 workers and closing two offices in Brunswick.

Fairchild Semiconductor International, which has its headquarters in South Portland, and National Semiconductor, a California company with a plant near Fairchild’s, also have announced layoffs recently due to slumping sales.

UMaine’s Mahon said he believes state government and businesses can do more to entice employers to locate in Maine.

He said companies that have come into the state should be asked why they chose Maine. The responses could be used to promote the state and lure other employers, he said.

Maine’s commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Steve Levesque, said Maine has come a long way since a decade ago, when it lacked a substantial high-technology base.

“I’m struggling to think of the companies we had,” he said.