PRESQUE ISLE – Finishing up a whirlwind tour of Maine that began that morning in Biddeford, Gov. John E. Baldacci met Friday night with about 40 economic, education and municipal leaders at Northern Maine Technical College and promised continued support for economic development.

Looking tired after flying from Millinocket, where he met with owners and employees of Great Northern Paper Inc., the governor apologized for being nearly an hour late.

“Just tell me what you want,” he joked as he sat down and raised his hands up toward his audience.

But Baldacci was serious when he said that one of his major efforts as governor would be to work to reverse the out-migration of people that has plagued rural parts of the state.

“When people leave [Maine], they hate to leave and want to come back,” Baldacci said. “That’s something we’re going to try to work with.”

Brian Hamel, president of the Loring Development Authority, expressed concern that, with the state facing a nearly $1 billion budget gap, economic development might get less attention.

“We’re got to put a message out that we want to stabilize the budget, but also stimulate economic development in northern, eastern and Down East Maine,” Baldacci responded.

“If [we] can hold the line and not increase the tax burden, and grow the economy, Maine will stack up well against other states,” he said.

Baldacci warned, however, that “it’s not going to be without some sacrifices.”

With towns and school districts in the midst of preparing budgets, Peggy Daigle, Houlton town manager, asked Baldacci for advice and insight into what municipal and school officials might do in light of the state’s budget dilemma and the prospect of a reduction in state funds to towns and schools.

Echoing what he said during his inaugural address about cooperation between municipalities, as well as public-private partnerships, Baldacci said, “It’s best to begin working to see if there [are] cooperation and consolidation that can take place.”

In the area of agriculture, the governor said, “I’m going to be a real force on the issue.” He declined to divulge his choice for agriculture commissioner.

On health care: “I want to have a plan that’s driven by people who are working on the front lines,” the governor said. “Give people the opportunity to be part of the solution.”

In closing, Baldacci referred to such County success stories as ATX Forms in Caribou, FreshWay in Mars Hill, and the Loring Commerce Centre. But he didn’t forget the financial problems faced by Kent Inc. in Fort Kent.

“We want an aggressive economic development policy,” he said. “I’m not going to be satisfied until I see growth throughout the state.”