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PORTLAND, Maine (Thursday, October 26, 2023) – Due to the mass shooting event in Lewiston yesterday, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce has canceled tonight’s annual dinner and awards ceremony taking place at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. “The senseless, unspeakable scale of violence has taken loved ones away from families and punctured the tranquility of the famously tight Lewiston-Auburn community,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “Our attention, hearts, and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy, their loved ones, and the community of Lewiston and Auburn. We thank local, state, and federal law enforcement and join the entire State in mourning this devastating tragedy.” The Maine State Chamber will reschedule the event and celebrate the awardees at an appropriate time. ###
In a press release announcing his hiring, Woodcock said, “The Maine economy is at a critical moment---including encouraging signals from historic population growth and recent state revenues---but it also faces acute challenges such as housing scarcity, labor shortages, and broader competitiveness challenges. I look forward to collaborating with the business community, the Governor, the Legislature, and Maine’s congressional delegation to maximize economic opportunities throughout our state with a singular goal to make Maine a top state to live, work, learn, visit, and do business.”
Maine State Chamber Board of Directors Chair LuAnn Ballesteros said, “The Maine State Chamber is thrilled that Patrick will bring his expertise and leadership experience back home to Maine. His ability to work collaboratively and creatively to build consensus, combined with his commitment to Maine’s business community and economic future, make him an excellent fit for the role leading Maine’s largest business association.” Ballesteros is vice president of External and Government Affairs for The Jackson Laboratory. As Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources under Governor Charlie Baker, Woodcock led a staff of 60 and oversaw offshore wind procurements, new building codes, solar policies, and all other state and regional energy policies. Woodcock also served on the Board of the National Association of State Energy Officials, and several state and regional energy boards. As director of Maine’s Energy Office from 2013 through 2016 under Governor Paul LePage, Woodcock helped advance air source heat pump adoption and additional energy efficiency investments in Maine, and served on the Board of Efficiency Maine Trust. He served as an energy and environment adviser to U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe from 2005 through 2012. Born and raised in Hampden, Maine, Woodcock graduated from Bowdoin College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government. He and his wife, Robin, live in Portland with their two children.
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STEM is directly responsible for over 36% of Maine’s GDP
PORTLAND, Maine (Mar. 1, 2023) – There are 278,500 Mainers who work in science, technology, engineering, medicine and math-related fields, accounting for more than one-third of the state’s workforce. And more than half (56%) do not have bachelor’s degrees. These People of Science are advanced manufacturing specialists, electricians, foresters, ironworkers, laboratory technicians, licensed practical nurses, marine biologists and veterinarians, among others. According to a new analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, direct STEM employment grew in Maine by 3.4% between 2017 and 2021 while STEM gross domestic product increased to more than $29 billion. Legislative priorities to grow and strengthen Maine’s economy include R&D, tax and workforce incentives, energy planning, citizens’ initiative reform, education, and moreFor Immediate Release
Media contact: Jen Webber Cell: 207-939-0213 Tuesday, January 24, 2023 AUGUSTA, Maine (Tuesday, January 24, 2023) - The Maine State Chamber of Commerce announced today its priorities for the first regular session of the 131st Maine Legislature. The Chamber’s priorities to grow and strengthen Maine’s economy and advance a positive business climate include legislation supporting R&D, innovation, workforce development and training, energy planning, reforming Maine’s citizens’ initiative process, and more. Many of the priorities align with Maine’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, the State’s roadmap announced in 2019. They also take into account the current economic environment and shifting employer needs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. First of 3-part series presented by the Maine State Chamber Education Foundation and Science is US |
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