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History

Midcoast Magnet was inspired in 2004 over a couple of slices of pizza. Governor Baldacci had just commissioned the Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy and launched a Creative Economy Council. Early board members included Noah Keteyan, Maggi Blue, Zen Sawyer, Carrie Shores, Patrick…and Kevin Callahan.

Over the years, we’ve developed a talent for bringing people together on innovative projects to support creativity, livability and economic sustainability in Midcoast Maine. We are a non-profit organization of people dedicated to vibrant culture, entrepreneurship and bringing people together socially and professionally.

Midcoast Magnet is an affiliate of Realize! Maine, a Maine Development Foundation affiliation of networking groups throughout the state that includes Fusion Bangor, yplaa, KV Connect, Propel, and other dynamic groups.

Our actions are driven by recent research pioneered by economist Richard Florida, as described in his book, The Rise of the Creative Class. A central premise is that the best job growth occurs where the creative types and innovators go. Communities like ours, with an extraordinary quality of place, can attract talented people and great jobs like never before.

Simply put, innovators and creative types can live anywhere they want, so it's important to attract these people and retain the ones that are here - and everyone benefits when we do.

Working in partnership with other economic and cultural development groups in the areas centered on Rockland, Camden and Belfast, Maine, we provide a "creative class" point of view. We identify and champion activities that have the greatest impact on the livability and sustainability of our community.
Our grassroots movement was pioneered by a diverse group of individuals who gathered to talk about innovative approaches to developing the best jobs in the Midcoast.

Our 2004 survey of 350 people provided invaluable data about the needs of the creative class in the Midcoast. We continue to gather information through surveys and focus groups and contribute this to our regional partnerships.
In 2005, Governor John Baldacci recognized our work as a positive force for change in the region. The Governor's Challenge Grant, which must be matched by support from the Midcoast community, will allow MidMag to actively develop and promote the livability of the Midcoast.

Our 2006 Report to the Community, collects information gathered directly from Midcoast community members in surveys, focus groups and community forums. This community voice provided the backbone for MidMag's strategy for 2006 and beyond.

In 2007, Midcoast Magnet convened the first Juice Conference, “Powering the Creative Economy: Maine’s Action Summit.” Over 350 statewide leaders joined us in Camden and Rockland to develop strategies for improving Maine’s economy through a focus on innovation.

Back by popular demand, Juice 2.0 “Building Maine’s Innovation Networks,” will take place November 13 and 14 in Camden. The conference is being produced with major collaboration from the Maine Arts Commission, Department of Economic and Community Development, and Realize! Maine and the Maine Development Foundation. For more information click here: www.juiceconference.org