Realizing Maine’s best chance for success Public policy perspective

A little more than eight years ago, my wife, three daughters and I made a decision to relocate our family from a small community outside of Portsmouth, N.H., to Presque Isle, so that I could take on the challenge of redeveloping the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone.

Having grown up in Massachusetts and having lived our entire lives within 60 miles of Boston, you can imagine our hesitancy to transplant our roots to rural Maine. From a professional perspective, I was up to the task of developing what was arguably the most difficult base closure challenge in the nation, and I was convinced that there was an appetite in Maine to become involved in a proactive business attraction effort. More importantly though, our decision to live our lives in Maine was driven by quality of life issues.

At the time of our decision-making process in 1994, our children’s ages were 11, 8 and 5. Therefore, of critical importance to us was the quality of the K-12 educational system, the availability of community-based recreational amenities, and a community that possessed strong family values and that was committed to enhancing the quality of life of its citizens. I will be the first to admit, like so many others within and outside of Maine, that before we had the opportunity to visit Presque Isle, we had many false perceptions about the intellectual, community and business capacity of Aroostook County.

Much to our surprise and pleasure, after visiting the County, we found K-12 educational systems that are second to none, superb recreational amenities and programs, communities that cared about its citizens, and the potential for many business opportunities. My wife, a fifth-grade teacher at Mapleton Elementary School, and I have clearly found professional satisfaction in northern Maine, but what gives us the greatest satisfaction is that the quality of life issues that we placed so much importance on in 1994 are the principal reasons why we have flourished as a family in a community that we are now proud to call home.

After eight years of working and living in Maine, I have a much better appreciation of how public policy can impact the quality of life that is so important to Maine citizens. Maine, like so many rural States in our country, suffers from chronically low wages, population declines and job losses, all of which can have negative social ramifications. In my opinion, there are two public policy issues that are critical to addressing these perennial problems and if appropriately addressed, have the potential to improve the economic climate in Maine and thus enhance the quality of life of our citizens. They are as follows:

. Community College System – although Maine ranks amongst the highest in the nation with respect to high school graduation rates, we have a dismal record of sending these graduates on to higher education. It is a proven fact that States with the highest college participation have comprehensive community college systems, which provide low-cost access to higher education. By in large, it is in these States where economic prosperity exists and where the chronic problems facing Maine do not exist. The creation of a comprehensive community college system in Maine that is delivered through a broadened mission within Maine’s Technical College System is a critical component to our future prosperity. The creation of this broadened community college mission will provide low cost, quality access to Maine citizens that may have previously chosen not to pursue higher education, will complement current workforce development programs, and will ultimately add quality students to the University of Maine System and thus enhance this already fine institute of higher education.

. Maine’s Tax Structure – From a development perspective, I am consistently told by Loring’s private-sector prospects that Maine’s high level of personal income taxes, real estate taxes and the legislative uncertainty associated with personal property taxes on business machinery & equipment places Maine at a competitive disadvantage. Maine’s economy has dramatically changed over the years and Maine’s tax structure has not been significantly altered to reflect our new economy. The task of revamping Maine’s tax structure is a daunting task, but a necessary one, and I would encourage policy-makers to make this issue its highest priority during the upcoming legislative session. I am confident that the legislature can work as a cohesive team to create a tax structure that lowers Maine’s overall tax burden, finds the proper mix of income, property and sales tax distribution, and that encourages private sector business development and fosters public sector investment in our K-12 and higher education systems.

Brian N. Hamel is president and chief executive office of Loring Development Authority of Maine.