During this time of year especially, you come across a lot of predictions about the future, some positive and some negative. In Maine, some economists and forecasters are predicting that our economy won’t grow much at all over the next ten years due largely to workforce constraints.
There are many concerns cited. Our growing companies are struggling to fill open positions. Our young people are leaving. Our population is aging. There aren’t enough people moving to Maine. The people that are here don’t have the necessary skills that employers need. Automation will continue to transform the labor market.
I’m a lot more positive and bullish about our future, especially here in York County.
That’s not to say some of the trends and issues noted above aren’t cause for concern. But if, like me, you drive around our region and interact with various members of our community, there is a different story emerging.
Here’s what I see:
• I see businesses like Ready Seafood and many others who are going above and beyond the more traditional recruiting methods by partnering with local organizations to find new workers in creative ways. They are reaching out to those in our community who have been disconnected from the workforce for one reason or another – and working to build attractive career paths for them.
• I see entrepreneurs working with passionate local officials, helpful non-profit organizations and supportive financial institutions to launch new businesses or grow existing businesses, developing new products and reaching new markets in the process.
• I see world-class companies, hospitals, colleges and others in our area actively recruiting talented people from nearby and from all over the country to fill new leadership positions in their growing organizations.
• I see local and regional educational institutions like the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology and many others working proactively to hone their curriculum and train students and adults in the real-world skills that employers need.
• I see amazing local organizations like Seeds of Hope and many others working tirelessly to help people who’ve fallen off the track get back on their feet, giving them the resources and support they need to seek gainful employment.
• I see people of all ages coming from Portland, or other New England states (like me recently), or immigrating from countries all over the world, to the Biddeford and Saco region for its welcoming community, its energized downtown opportunities, and our overall quality of life.
• I see a vibrant and growing cultural scene in our area that makes living and working here such a rich and rewarding experience.
I feel fortunate to work for the local Chamber of Commerce; I get to see and experience this dynamism and excitement every day. I encourage you to see and feel this as well for yourself – visit a store or restaurant you haven’t been to yet around here, or volunteer if you have the time with any one of scores of organizations that are actively working to make our region even better.
There will always be those who can thoughtfully articulate why a more challenging future awaits us. But the people I see in our community are working every day to create a brighter future for us all.
Jim LaBelle is the Executive Director of the Biddeford + Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.
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