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| "Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions."
Edward R. Murrow |
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Facts
Maine Blueberries
Maine is the nation's top wild blueberry producer. Wild blueberries grow in glacially formed "barrens" that stretech from Downeast to the state's southwest corner. Maine's Native Americans were the first to use the berries, both fresh and dried, for their flavor, nutriton and healing qualities. Wild blueberries were first harvested commercially in the 1840's. Nearly a quarter million acres of barrens yield an average of 30 million pounds of blueberries annually. With an annual crop valued at more than $75 million, wild blueberries make a significant contribution to Maine's economy.
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Figures
$249 Million
Lobster industry revenue in 2007
56 Million Pounds
The lobster harvest in 2007
$297 Million
Lobster industry revenue in 2006
73 Million Pounds
The lobster harvest in 2006
23%
The percentage drop in both dollars and pounds. The largest drop in nearly fifty years
source: Maine Department of Marine Resources |
public policy background? Are you eager to work for a dynamic organization that is making a difference in the lives of Maine people? The Maine Center for Economic Policy is seeking an economic policy analyst. This a new position. For a full job description and application process 
MECEP is fortunate to have so many talented young people working for us this summer as interns. Sarah Richards (pictured) is participating in the Community Matters internship program of Bowdoin College, where she will be a junior majoring in economics next year. She's working on data collection and analysis for reports on low-income working families in Maine and an overview of how Maine's economy fared in 2007. Melanie Race is a graduate student in the Muskie School Health Policy and Management program and is researching the effects of recent budget cuts to Health and Human Services programs with a particular focus on mental health services for adults. Diane Belanger is a Ph.D. Student at UMaine and is helping with a future report on Latinos and their economic contributions in Maine. 
For the past few years, The Maine Center for Economic Policy has been advocating and researching strategies that have the best potential to bring economic prosperity to Maine's poorest counties. Tourism is one of these. In this month's Choices, we continue our discussion on what is underway and what is still needed to bring world-class tourism to Maine's rim counties.
The Maine Center for Economic Policy works in coalition with other organizations in Maine, New England and across the country to achieve its mission. This month we highlight our partnership with 