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.

 

Read or Post Comments
Related Stories
Latest Articles