How comforting to learn that Maine leads the nation as being the worst state in which to do business, cited recently in a Forbes magazine study.

It’s hardly surprising to learn that, because as a business person in Portland, I’m faced with it on a daily basis.

City government is the biggest culprit in the systemic hierarchy of decision making and lack of forward thinking.

Just look at the city of Portland, the economic growth engine of the entire state. There hasn’t been a single new office building in over 20 years.

Residential development is not just at a standstill — it doesn’t exist except for Portland’s love affair with subsidized housing, which will never contribute one penny to the local economy except to be a constant drag.

Then there’s the waterfront malaise. In any other place it’s the crown jewel. Here it’s hands off except for vague notions of hotels and retail.

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What about using it as a lovely place to live in a city virtually surrounded by water?

That doesn’t work for Portland, which romanticizes its waterfront for a dying fishing industry. Wouldn’t thoughtful development take care of everyone’s needs?

While I’m not a fan of Gov. LePage by any means, at least he recognizes that we’re going about it all wrong.

His manner is gruff, he pontificates in double speak, and I don’t trust him or his lackies.

But at least he realizes we have to do something more than store the turnips to keep the welfare rolls full.

Portland, wake up before it’s too late.

John Golden is a resident of Portland.

 


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