Juice: Powering the Creative Economy

Creative Economy Conference: November 16th and 17th. Camden and Rockland, Maine!

Visit: www.juiceconference.org

Juice Rocks The Knox Mill

New energy powers the creative economy!

On a sunny afternoon on May 29, nearly 70 people gathered under the crankshaft and flywheels of what was the old, gutted Sea Dog in the Knox Mill to hear more about Juice—the upcoming conference sponsored by the folks behind Midcoast Magnet. Juice is a conference designed to generate energy, to be a conductor for ideas and action. Taking place November 16 and 17, 2007 in Rockland and Camden, Juice will connect elements of the creative economy to spark growth and prosperity.

The Knox Mill, a physical reminder of the industrial era, was the perfect place to discuss the innovative changes we will soon be seeing in the midcoast. With the waterfall roaring outside, all you had to do is look around. Owner Walter Skayhan listened to a community that didn’t want 75% of Camden’s commercial space to be reserved for just condominium owners—not when the increasing gentrification of the midcoast and lack of opportunities to retain young professionals were threatening to turn the vibrancy and diversity of this community into a part-time—not year-round place to live. As a result, Skayhan turned this historic landmark into a mixed-use building that will benefit the entire community. Already, Mathew and Colleen Ingraham have turned the former restaurant, Natalie’s into Tavern on the Falls and coming up in July, will transform the iconic former Sea Dog space into McMahon’s Knox Grille.

What else? The former MBNA offices are now sunny condos with the promise of Knox Mill Market Place, a ground-floor indoor market the community has been hungering for, opening soon with a bakery, florist, grocery, deli, wine bar, newstand and cafe to name a few.

Change (they say) comes from within. From the initial unveiling of Juice, already 50 people have volunteered to be part of this conference. The energy of the midcoast community has always been there, raring to go, willing to embrace technology, innovation, out-of-the box ideas in order to jolt the creative economy we have developed here. We just needed some big changes from businesses, investors, leaders and perhaps even just more time—to match the momentum of the people.

Now we’ve got it, with Juice. On November 16, a keynote address at the Strand Theatere will kick off the conference’s mission: to galvanize and grow Maine’s creative industries (both new and traditional) by:

· Attracting and retain creative workers in Maine.
· Fostering innovation as well as tolerance and diversity in our communities.
· Enhancing and promote Maine as an arts and culture destination.
· Protecting and enhancing Maine’s natural beauty and environment, in ways that support the growth of the creative economy.

How, you say? On November 17, the conference itself is the conduit. The audience will be largely made up of leaders in the creative economy statewide. Juice expects to attract more than 500 people such as artists, artisans and creative thinkers, owners and managers of creative businesses, economic, cultural and community development professionals, public policy makers, political leaders, researchers and students in related disciplines.

i.e: You.

Currently, Juice is reaching out to more than 20 communities in focus group formats to create buzz and develop the conference program and is in the process of fundraising and looking for donors who believe in the idea results of the creative economy.

The conference will be ultimately about connections, getting people to take action in specific ways to spark the growth and innovative business that our community needs to make it affordable to live here.

What can you do for now? Juice needs volunteers before the conference happens. You can also support the conference by planning on attending, or considering becoming a donor or business sponsor.

Email kathleen@juiceconference.org

Juice is a Midcoast Magnet program.

Strand Theatre - May 23rd - Free Event

Maine's North Woods at a Crossroad: Conservation, Development, and the Economy

Seven million acres of Maine forest, with hundreds of remote lakes and
ponds, have changed hands over the past decade. This year, the Land Use
Regulation Commission will act on several of the largest development
projects ever proposed in the state.

What is the future of Maine's North Woods?

Is it a natural legacy to be passed on to future generations?

A "wood basket" for Maine's timber industry?

A pretty backdrop for gated communities?

Can we protect this natural treasure and still allow for growth?

Explore three perspectives on these and other questions on Wednesday,
May 23, at the Strand Theater, Main Street, Rockland.

Presenters:
Cathy Johnson, Natural Resources Council of Maine
Matt Polstein, New England Outdoor Center
Greg Shute, co-president, Maine Outdoor Guides Association.

Sponsored by Midcoast Magnet and the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Reception, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Panel discussion, 6:15 to 8:00 p.m.

The public is invited, free of charge

FMI: 207-622-3101

This should be a great discussion on balancing development and conservation. It is really about protecting our "quality of place" that is so important in attracting and retaining creative and innovative people, while providing the right economic opportunities for all Mainers. The Plum Creek development in Northern Maine has undergone an interesting process of community involvement, plan revisions and lively debate. The Ktaadn Resorts project includes elements specifically associated with the creative economy. "Ktaadn" is the original Abenaki Indian spelling for the State's tallest peak.

Check out these links for more information about these North Woods developments:
http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/reference/resourceplans/moosehead.html
http://www.bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=149258&zoneid=500
http://www.nrcm.org/issue_plumcreek.asp
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/04/27/ap3663309.html

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/maine/articles/2007/02/18/in_the_shadow_of_the_mountain/
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/2007_Mar_29/k.NGA.1175186016.html


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The precedent set by these land use decision could certainly impact future development in the Midcoast. There are interesting lessons to be learned from the community involvement in the process for both of these developments.

Hope to see you there!

Bringing Business to the Coast

“Maine can become anything we want it to become, we just have to decide and take action.” That was the theme expressed by our four panelists at the Farnsworth on April 3rd. If Midcoast Magnet has anything to do with it, Maine’s future will grow out of a creative economy.

We tried to capture the essence of the creative economy with our entertainment for the evening, with strong representation from the technology sector, the performing arts and the visual arts. Starting out with drinks and appetizers in the Farnsworth Museum library, the evening got rolling with demonstrations of robotic technology by Stuart Rich of Spatial Robotic Solutions. This was followed by a short performance by the award winning Calliope Quartet of the Odeon Youth Chamber Orchestra. In addition, David Berez of Pen Bay Media and Post Office Editorial presented a rough cut of his film work in Iraq.

All of this provided the setting for a heartening panel discussion which included Berez; Jonathan Daniels, President of Eastern Maine Development Corporation; Matt Jacobson, CEO of Maine & Co., and John Richardson, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development for the State of Maine.

Each of the speakers described their roles in helping to grow Maine’s economy. Jacobson recruits business by networking outside the state and by sponsoring the Maine Investment Exchange. Daniels focuses on bringing businesses to Eastern Maine, including Knox and Waldo counties. Richardson is responsible for economic development statewide.

All of the speakers lauded the importance of developing the creative economy. According to Richardson, the future of Maine’s economy will come from internal, organic growth, and he said that his policy work is focused on helping individual Mainers to succeed. Daniels concurred, saying, “If we do not have a creative economy, we will not be able to attract outside companies.”
All of the speakers referenced the importance of developing a cohesive political and social will to be successful. Maine has a lot to be proud of, and we should celebrate the positive, said Daniels. In the end, it comes down to attitude.

Each of the speakers referenced economic development efforts in other states. Wisconsin has attracted biotech firms, Mississippi has courted the auto industry. Both efforts have been concerted, focused campaigns to grow in a specific market. Tax policy, infrastructure, education, all of these were factors in the decision-making, but what decisive element, said Jacobson, was the attitude of the residents.If Maine is going to be a creative economy state, then we have to get the public behind the idea. Educational resources, technological infrastructure, downtown redevelopment and favorable tax policies – these are all places to focus our efforts.

Great Event - more to come ...

Thank you for everyone who attended our event:

"Policy and Performance, Bringing Business to the Midcoast"

We had a good turn out and a great combination of music, technology, film and discussion.

The Farnsworth Theatre is an excellent venue, and we were fortunate to enjoy the galleries and library for a social hour prior to the main event.

If you have thoughts or comments to share from the event please email us at info@midcoastmagnet.com. We love your feedback, and we will post any interesting comments here on the good 'ole blog.

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Up Next:

Thursday April 19th - 5:30 PM

Bacchus and the Bard - The Inn at Ocean's Edge; Lincolnville

http://www.innatoceansedge.com/the-edge.html

Please join us for our monthly informal and social gathering. Another great opportunity to meet and connect with creative workers in the Midcoast. There will be a wine tasting and a performance for your enjoyment.

"The Edge" is opening early specifically for this event. If you have never been to this unique location, then you are in for a treat. Look forward to seeing you there!

Policy and Performance at the Farnsworth: April 3

Nothing happens until somebody sells… and I’m not talking about widgets. I’m talking about lifestyle. Midcoast Maine is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, talented artists and innovative entrepreneurs. Midcoast Magnet wants to keep it that way, which means protecting our resources and growing our talent pool.

Featured Business:
So who’s performing? Start with David Berez, of Post Office Editorial and Spatial Robotics Solutions. This event will feature short demonstrations of both facets of David’s work, both in film and technology. David will present footage from his recent tour of Iraq on behalf of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. His partner, Stuart Rich, from Pen Bay Media, will demonstrate their spatial robotic technology. Pen Bay Media is a Pine Tree Zone company, and that’s just the start. http://www.penbaymedia.com/

Panel Discussion: Bringing Business to the Coast
Businesses thrive in clusters. Sustainable growth implies momentum, and a balancing act to protect and use resources. Financial resources, human resources, natural resources are all essential to vitality. Do we have what we need? How can we bring businesses and people to the midcoast?

John Richardson, Commissioner of Economic Development
Commissioner Richardson was recently appointed by Governor Baldacci. He is the former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. The DECD serves as the umbrella organization for the offices of Tourism, Business Development, International Trade Center, Community Development, Film and Innovation and Science. http://www.econdevmaine.com/

Matt Jacobsen, CEO of Maine & Company
Maine & Company is a private, non-profit corporation whose staff provides free and confidential services to business locating to or growing in Maine. Services include real estate site searches, data collection and analysis, incentives identification, site visit coordination and financing coordination. Maine & Co. also hosts the Maine Investment Exchange, a forum for providers of risk capital and qualified entrepreneurs seeking investment capital. http://www.maineco.org/

Jonathan Daniels, President of Eastern Maine Development Corporation
EMDC is dedicated to helping businesses and communities in Eastern Maine develop and grow. EMDC helps businesses with marketing, manufacturing, government contracting, financing and international trade. EMDC also offers site location assistance for businesses expanding or relocating to Eastern Maine. http://www.emdc.org/

Event Details: Our April 3 event will take place at the Farnsworth Art Museum, starting at 5:00. Drinks and appetizers will be served in the library. Come early and check out the works of Maine artists including printmaker Jonathan Fisher, portrait artist Alex Katz and the Wyeth collections. Donations accepted by the robot. http://www.farnsworthmuseum.org/

Call Skip Bates, Bangor Savings Bank, 236-0180 for more information. www.bangor.com

Wiki This...

If Wikipedia is the new dictionary/encyclopedia/jumping off point of our times...then what a perfect place to get a definition for the, often vague - often elusive, "creative class".

Well, it's great place to start anyways.

Maine's Creative Economy Council Report

Lots of folks have asked us for a copy of Maine's Creative Economy Council's report that was released last June. They have run out of hard copies, but a PDF can be downloaded from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) website:

http://www.econdevmaine.com/resources/default.asp

The DECD website is a great resource in general, and Midcoast Magnet is thankful for the support Commissioner John Richardson and his staff have shown for the creative economy and for our organization.

Midcoast Magnet hosts lounge events

It was great to see lots of familiar faces at the Quarterdeck last week. I think these events are great for two reasons. First, it is good to have an excuse to get out of the office on time and grab a drink with a great group of people. But beyond the chance to chat with some interesting folks, there is something really important happening at these events.

MidMag Board Member Skip Bates has expressed it really well. Skip said that the creative, innovative people that are driving this "creative economy" are not drawn to the more established business leader organizations, such as Kiwanis, Rotary or Lion's club. Those are all great service organizations and they have long served as strong opportunities for business leaders to interact and network. Well, the creative entrepreneur, the innovative software engineer, the imaginative artist and even the young professional are not joining these organizations in large numbers.

These "creative workers" need opportunities to network and interact with their peers and other professionals, artists, freelancers, geeks and techies in the Midcoast, but they needs those opportunities to be simple and commitment free. Low key social events seem to provide that mix.

These events are intended to build on Richard Florida's idea of "third-spaces" [see the Midcoast Magnet "Report to the Community"]. We are trying to create "third space opportunities" within our community here. There is a tremendous business and economic development impact of simply providing social opportunities for "creative workers" to network.

The sharing of ideas, expertise, contacts and even work opportunities has been great to witness. Lots of business gets done at the bar, maybe not as much as on the golf course, but it's remarkable. So, come join us and expand your own network.

Plus, it's winter ... what else do you have to do?


We roll in around 5:00 PM and roll out whenever ...

April 5th Inn at Ocean’s Edge in Lincolnville
May 3rd 3 Tides in Belfast
June 7th Waterfront in Camden
July 5th Waterworks in Rockland


Join us, we love seeing those familiar faces, but we'd also like to see more new faces.

Questions: Drop us an email at info@midcoastmagnet.com