The loss of Kestrel Aircraft Co. to Wisconsin is a big deal. It is also underreported, misunderstood and a tragedy for Maine. It shows that Maine government — elected, appointed and hired — dropped the ball. Our government is not professionally competitive with many other states. This is an example of why Forbes rated Maine last in business.

In 2010, Kestrel decided to open a manufacturing facility in Maine at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. It was a match made in heaven, providing an anchor tenant for Brunswick Development Corp. and some relief for job-starved Maine.

Kestrel’s 600 high-tech manufacturing jobs would have had a fantastic multiplier effect on the rest of the state, with high- and low-tech corporate suppliers, plus real estate, retail, transportation and services for employees. It might even have been a showcase for other high-tech companies looking for a place to land. These are the kinds of jobs that build prosperity and security far beyond their own workplace.

But more than a year later, in September 2011, Maine still had not been able to get it together, make good on its promises, clear the way, guarantee low-interest loans and provide tax credits. Make no mistake, this is corporate welfare. But that’s the way it works, every place, every time. This is not news and it is not groundbreaking.

But Kestrel, its future and our jobs were left hanging while officials dithered. So in a mere four months, Kestrel said it made a deal with Wisconsin. It flew the nest and so did our jobs.

While our “business-oriented” governor and Legislature were tearing down murals, cutting welfare, fighting with the NAACP and trying to restrict voting to catch those sneaky college students from away, this high-tech company that wanted to move to Maine had to settle for Wisconsin, which snapped it up before Maine even knew what happened.

Our governor, in his way, pointed a finger at Coastal Enterprises for dropping the ball. Coastal Enterprises said that if Kestrel didn’t like their deal, they weren’t worth it, anyway.

Well, Coastal Enterprises is a nonprofit, highly regarded community investment bank. It is not part of the government. It may be part of the solution, but it does not have the responsibility, the authority or the resources to lead the planning and implementation of corporate recruitment for Maine.

And make no mistake, the New Market Tax Credit program is not a mystery. The credits have been around since 2000. So, if Maine wants to promote prosperity, economic security and a reason its children should not have to leave to get ahead, it needs to put together a plan, resources and a quick-fire implementation program that is competitive in the real world. That’s something both this administration and earlier ones have not done.

Ren Drews is a resident of Scarborough.

 

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