In April 2024, the state released a comprehensive update to Maine’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy that reflects and builds upon progress made toward 2030 economic goals. Since the release of the original plan in 2019, Maine has experienced record economic growth, leading New England and outperforming states like California, New York and Virginia. The updated strategy recommits to priorities like building strong career pathways and renewable energy production while emphasizing growing needs like the lack of housing. Clean energy is also taking off in the state and driving more economic growth. In May 2024, Gov. Janet Mills announced the state is more than halfway to its goal of having 30,000 clean energy jobs in the state by 2030. Maine now has more than 15,000 workers in the sector, which has contributed more than $2.3 billion to the state economy
since 2022.
Major Business Headquarters Expansion Program: Offers a tax credit of 2 percent of the qualified investment for a period of up to 20 years for businesses that locate a major headquarters in the state and create high-quality jobs.
Technology Tax Credits: Offers tax credits and exemp tions for everything from electricity cost to equipment purchases and other R&D expenses for companies involved in manufacturing and certain research-driven activities.
Small Enterprise Growth Fund: Offers initial matching investments from $150,000 to $300,000 to small businesses that demonstrate the potential for high growth and public benefit.
Maine Technology Institute (MTI): A non-profit that offers funding for private companies and research labs to promote R&D and assist innovative companies to in gettingproducts to market faster.
Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
maine.gov/decd
City of Augusta Economic Development
augustamaine.gov
Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
bangorregion.com
In August 2024, the Maine Community College System announced it was set to receive more than $75 million in funding over the next five years froma local foundation to support short-term workforce training programs. The grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation will help train at least 70,000 workers in the state in industries ranging from welding and logging to allied health fields.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
