"The Creative Economy is a catalyst for the creation of new jobs in Maine communities. People who create jobs want to live in places that have a diverse cultural mix and an innovative and educated workforce. Maine will be competitive economically if we continue to capitalize on the synergies between entrepreneurship, education, the arts and quality of life."

- Governor John Elias Baldacci

New England Council findings reveal the creative sector as a major growing factor in the New England economy. This research has provided new information and understanding of the Creative Economy, and defined opportunities for the growth of this sector. Through this work we know that New England and Maine have a higher concentration of creative workers than other parts of the country, and that communities small and large prosper economically when the arts and culture are vital parts of community life. The arts and culture are also critical for attracting employees and keeping young people in Maine. The Creative Economy generates an estimated $6.6 billion in cultural tourism dollars, qualifying it as a major regional export industry.

"In the new global economy, Maine's Creative Economy Initiative will become one of a small number of engines that will revitalize our communities, especially our downtowns, protect and preserve the Maine landscape, keep our youth here in Maine, and attract new businesses and residents to our state."

Dr. Richard Barringer, University of Southern Maine , Muskie Center for Public Policy

Ten Key Recommendations: Creative Economy Conference held in Lewiston-Auburn

1. Organize to sustain a statewide Creative Economy initiative with support and coordination from state and local government.

2. Invest in entrepreneurial capacity-building services with funding, information, training, consulting, business plan development and marketing assistance.

3. Create a system to fund Creative Economy initiatives including: creative enterprise equity funds, downtown development bond funding, micro-enterprise loan programs, a new Creative

Economy Fund and grants to artists.

4. Encourage municipal comprehensive planning and individual business planning that incorporate creative economic strategies and invest in infrastructure, especially technology, high-speed Internet access and old building re-use.

5. Encourage partnerships for collaborative planning, coordinated services and connected resources— especially between state agencies, higher education, technology and business sectors.

6. Support lifelong arts and design education as fundamental to creativity.

7. Organize public education to make the Creative Economy more visible, targeting state and local public officials, business, business support organizations and voters.

8. Offer tax incentives for creative entrepreneurs.

9. Develop a Maine identity that features the creative sector and help creative Maine businesses reach visitors and export markets.

10. Promote policies and practices that welcome diversity including race, ethnicity, age, gender and sexual orientation.