Questions 2 and 3 promise more economic growth

The state of the Maine economy has many people using words like “crisis” to describe a growing sense of urgency to act. Over the past several months, the governor, the Legislature and many business and community leaders have offered a common response and shared vision of what Maine must do to boost job creation and economic growth – investment in education and in research and development.

Across the state, a consensus is emerging that research, development and higher education – “R&D&E” for short – offers the clearest path to building a strong, sustainable Maine economy. The 2006 report called “Charting Maine’s Future,” prepared by the Brookings Institution and commissioned by GrowSmart Maine, provides clear and compelling support for that approach.

The same refrain is being sung by other visionary leaders such as Peter Vigue, Cianbro’s widely respected chief executive officer, and by Karen Gordon Mills of Brunswick, a venture capitalist and chairwoman of the Governor’s Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy. Business and labor leaders, civic and community groups, and newspaper editorialists (including those of the BDN, a longtime proponent of the strategy) are outspoken in their belief that state and private investment in research, development and higher education is the surest way to bring vitality to Maine’s economy statewide.

For the past 10 years, Maine has been committed to strategic investment in R&D as part of a statewide economic plan. Policymakers and voters have approved appropriations and bond referendums to help provide the facilities and the seed money needed to leverage federal grants and contracts and venture capital investment. The result has been new jobs, new products, new technologies and new ideas.

Just look at the examples. The field of composite technologies has become a fast-growing industry. New, more environmentally friendly uses of natural resources are being developed and commercialized. Traditional industries such as forestry, fishing and farming are benefiting from research-related innovations and management ideas. Medical advances in areas such as cancer research and health care technologies are occurring on our university campuses and in nonprofit research facilities such as The Jackson Laboratory, MDI Biological Lab, and Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

Despite 10 years of steady but comparatively modest investment in R&D, Maine remains behind other states in public investment in research and development. Still, the progress we’ve made here has been impressive.

For example, the latest figures on university-based research show that in 2006, university researchers attracted $106.2 million in research grants and contracts, with the largest amount coming from federal sources such as the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health. With the state and university system combining to provide $28.2 million in targeted seed or matching funds, the resulting return was $4 for every $1 invested – in one year.

In fact, in Orono at the University of Maine, researchers have averaged rates of return on investment closer to 5 to 1, in large part because of the size of the university’s research infrastructure. The federal and private funds awarded to UMaine and other public and private research entities help educate thousands of students, fund thousands of jobs, purchase millions of dollars of goods and services, and generate enormous economic activity throughout the state.

Education and R&D have become integral parts of Maine’s economy. But more important is the value they provide to the people of Maine and Maine’s quality of life. Investment in education and R&D makes Maine more attractive as a place to work or start a business. At a time when we are rightfully looking at ways to make Maine a better place to start, expand or continue a business, R&D&E offer key components in the decision-making calculus – a more highly educated work force; access to centers of innovation and technology; and a recognition by key policy, community and opinion leaders that Maine must sustain its investment in those areas to achieve its economic objectives.

On Tuesday, Maine voters will have a new opportunity to strengthen Maine’s economy. Questions 2 and 3 on the statewide ballot seek more investment in R&D&E. Question 2 seeks $55 million for competitive-based research grants, a proposal which, if approved, will attract at least $50 million more in federal and private sector grants and contracts – an enormous opportunity for Maine. Question 3 seeks $43.5 million to upgrade classrooms, laboratories and libraries at Maine’s public universities, community colleges and Maine Maritime Academy. Those improvements are essential to sustain academic quality.

Like any investment, it takes time to achieve full impact. Fortunately, Maine’s relatively short history with its R&D and education investments has generated results faster and greater than originally envisioned. The new round of investments appearing on the Nov. 6 ballot will continue the progress Maine has been making. I urge the public to support Maine by voting “yes” on Questions 2 and 3. Voter approval will help turn R&D&E into more jobs, more academic and economic opportunities, and a stronger, more vibrant state economy.

Richard L. Pattenaude is chancellor of the University of Maine System. He lives in Bangor.