ORONO – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce heard a number of opinions on its future, as well as the future of the state’s economy, at its annual breakfast Tuesday.

A short- and long-term statewide economic forecast, plans for economic development initiatives with the University of Maine System and neighboring regions, and even the future of the Chamber’s building were subjects addressed by community leaders who spoke during the event at the Black Bear Inn.

“The outlook is a fragile Maine economy in the short run that is heavily dependent on the performance of the national economy,” said James Breece, UMS vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. A longtime member of the University of Maine economics department and a member of the Maine Revenue Forecasting Committee, Breece was the featured speaker at the breakfast.

In the long term, the combination of low value-added business activity, an aging work force and few business attraction factors does not yield a robust economy, Breece said.

“What is the answer? Generate more high value-added economic activities. Make vodka, not just potatoes. Make furniture, not just stump wood,” Breece said. He offered a long list of examples of how to add value to Maine products.

Entrepreneurial management, research and development activities, collaboration between UM and area businesses and reversing the brain drain – young, educated people leaving the state- would boost value-added production, Breece said.

“If the percentage of Maine’s population with a [bachelor’s] degree were to reach the New England average of 34 percent, then Maine’s economy would be 27 percent larger and its value-added activities would match that of New Hampshire,” Breece said. He noted that 27 percent of Maine residents have bachelor’s degrees.

Speaking locally, Ken Huhn, the incoming chairman of the Chamber board and vice president for business development at Vanidestine Chiropractic, said he sees a bright and busy future for the Chamber in the Bangor region.

“Economic expansion is going to fuel new businesses, and it’s very important for the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce to reach out and embrace those new businesses,” Huhn said.

Construction of a proposed convention center might force the Chamber to move from its location on Main Street, Bangor, near the Paul Bunyan statue, but the organization plans to stay where it is and make needed structural improvements in the meantime.

According to outgoing Chairman Mark Woodward, executive editor of the Bangor Daily News, the Chamber saw success on many levels in 2007, with its continued economic development work with sister city Saint John, New Brunswick, the rapid growth of the Bangor Region Wellness Council, and the launch of the new Chamber Web site. In May, the Chamber successfully defended the contract between the state and Hollywood Slots at Bangor when some legislators threatened to increase the state’s share of the racino’s revenues.

“If one word can sum up the diverse efforts, initiatives and challenges of the past year, it would be ‘collaboration,'” Woodward said. He thanked the Chamber for the opportunity to serve as chairman.

Newly elected officers were welcomed at the event. They are: Huhn; Vice Chairman John Diamond, who is also executive director of external affairs for UMS; and Treasurer Michael Ballesteros, director of the Bangor Business and Industry Training Center at Eastern Maine Community College.

About 150 people attended the annual breakfast, and at least 700 are expected to attend the Chamber’s annual dinner at the Bangor Civic Center next week. The Chamber represents about 815 businesses and individuals.