Ever wonder if there might be a place where you can find help changing your home or business into an energy-efficient environment that can save money? The problem for many people is where to start. With the creation of the Efficiency Maine Trust, they need look no further.

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Farming is a labor of love in Maine, because it’s an extremely hard way to make a living. More farmers have been utilizing innovative ways to improve their incomes. Next year in Aroostook County, the first farmer-owned community-wind project, by Community Generation Partners, hopes to begin construction.

“Community wind is an economic development tool for farmers. It will augment their incomes by creating a new source of income. This could be one way they can continue to farm from generation to generation,” said Sue Jones of Community Generation Partners.

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Maine’s First District Representative Chellie Pingree is known in Maine to stand up for what she believes; now that reputation has been established in Congress. Elected to make change, she’s unwavering in that commitment.

“To be a part of figuring out solutions to some of our nation’s biggest issues has been great. I’ve been fortunate to represent the people of Maine, who value honesty and straight talk. You don’t have to pretend here. I’ve made it clear to leadership that I will stand my ground on things I care about and will push hard for them.

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President Obama is investing in education with Recovery Act funds, as part of his national Race to the Top competition — a $4 billion federal education initiative on education reform. In an exclusive interview Governor John Baldacci talked about his new education initiatives mentioned in his State of the State address, which will also increase Maine’s chances for $75 million or more in federal Race to the Top funds.

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All homeowners in Maine are eligible to receive rebates of $1,500 to $3,000 on weatherization projects that reduce energy usage under.

“The Maine Home Performance program is open for business and all homeowners are able to participate. This is an effective program to encourage more Mainers to make improvements to their homes so that their families can stay warm, more secure, safer and economically more secure,” said Governor John Baldacci.

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Maine will receive $11.5 million in Recovery Act funds to promote the quality of health care through technology and to develop the State’s health care workforce.

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Barrels Community Market is leading the way for local businesses. The nonprofit organization which relies heavily on volunteers seems to really be making its mark on the greater Waterville area.

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Maine’s Quality of Place – grows jobs

Maine has quality of place assets not many New England states offer. Artists and writers have flocked to the state for centuries inspired by the state’s mountains, lakes, and over three thousand miles of coastline. Industries were created in the state using Maine’s natural assets. Hydropower generated the energy to sustain mills that utilized the state’s forests, last century.

Since Governor John Baldacci has been in office, mills are being transformed to produce energy from their waste becoming more efficient and productive. In the past seven years 1.3million more acres of forest lands have been preserved. Maine now has sustainable forests for future generations to enjoy and prosper from. An energized push to promote the state’s natural assets for tourism has been underway. And with the governor’s focus on building the creative economy Maine’s downtowns continue to be revived, as buildings are being restored, innovators are setting up unique shops, and an abundance of restaurants and cafes are welcoming customers.

“Quality of place is really about jobs. Maine’s quality of place has always been the foundation for jobs in Maine; whether it was our fishing, farming, and papermaking industries that located here because of our natural resources or businesses that came here because of our distinctive communities. A major objective of the council is to maintain our quality of place for jobs now, and in the future,” said Martha Freeman, Director of the State Planning Office.

Two years ago Gov. John Baldacci signed an Executive Order establishing Maine’s Quality of Place Council. In March a new law, An Act to Create Regional Quality of Place Investment Strategies for High-value Jobs, Products, and Services in Maine, established the council, permanently.

The Council, in consultation with economic development districts, will help establish standards and guidelines for regional quality of place investment strategies.

“Maine is a unique place, and what is special about Maine is also the foundation of our future prosperity,” said Governor Baldacci. “Our downtowns, culture, livable communities, natural beauty and recreational assets give Maine a strong competitive edge in today’s global economy. Maine’s special character helps us retain and attract the skilled workers we need for our economy to grow.”

With the work the Baldacci administration has done with broadband Maine is building a comprehensive broadband infrastructure, utilizing recovery act funds for the initiative. Broadband makes it possible for people, working in the global economy to live and work from home. These skilled professionals have the freedom to live where they choose.

“One of the pieces of research the council did was a study that fund workers who have skills they can use anywhere, because of the technology, are attracted to areas with a strong quality of place. They look for good schools, recreation opportunities, a clean environment with safe wonderful communities, and Maine has all that in abundance. Our goal is to attract more people to Maine, to grow the economy and increase incomes,” said Freeman.

In 2009 the state began an effort to map all of its assets working with economic development agencies in every country. From workforce skills to quality of place attributes this new profile of Maine will help communities take advantage of their natural assets. The initiative called Mobilze Maine is working with the Quality of Place council. Mobilize Maine relies on people in local communities taking part in discussions to promote their region. It’s the first time an effort like this has been undertaken by the state.

“I truly believe that the special character of Maine’s people, Maine’s communities and Maine’s natural resources are powerful economic drivers. It will take more hard work to realize the prosperity that Maine’s quality of place promises,” said the Governor. “We must now turn to the work of investing in and marketing these assets effectively working with Mobilize Maine. Working locally and regionally developing what is needed economically to grow and use Maine’s quality of place, will grow jobs and incomes. We must continue to shape Maine government and Maine’s economic and workforce development strategies to target investment in our quality of place assets.”

Maine has received $4.28 million federal grant to address obesity issues. The federal Recovery Act funds come from the Communities Putting Prevention to Work grant, designed to support public health efforts to address obesity, physical activity and nutrition in order to decrease chronic disease and promote overall health.

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Anyone driving in Maine can see, and feel, the impact where the rubber meets the road. Communities across the state are in desperate need of roadwork. Governor John Baldacci would like the people of Maine to invest $28 million for highway projects, which is projected to support 750 construction jobs. The money would pay for about 14 miles of highway reconstruction and 31 miles of paving across the state.

It’s part of a proposed bond package that includes a total of $62 million for highway, port and rail projects, and $17 million for environmental and energy needs.

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