Here’s a national ranking everyone should be talking about: Based on the number of graduate students in science and engineering, Maine ranks 50th in the nation.
The message that sends is devastating. It tells technology-reliant Maine companies that they won’t be able to expand without importing a work force. And it tells companies from away that are looking to move that they better not bother with Maine.
A related statistic that should concern people who are worried about Maine’s economy is this one: We spend one-third of the national average and one-sixth of the New England average on research and development.
The Legislature has an opportunity to address this problem by supporting a $20 million bond issue to support the Maine Technical Assistance Fund.
The money would be awarded on a competitive basis to companies that can attract at least a match of the state funds for research and development. It would create jobs in high-paying fields, and create demand for high-level skills from our students.
Maine can afford to borrow this money. It cannot afford to be last in this race any longer.
-
Nation & WorldQueens residents skeptical about Amazon's promises
-
Schools and EducationMessalonskee athletic complex nears completion
-
SportsSaturday's NHL roundup: Lightning blow big lead but win in overtime
-
Election 2018Democrat Andrew Gillum concedes to DeSantis in Florida's governor's race
-
Nation & WorldCIA to brief Trump on killing of Saudi journalist Khashoggi
