Harvard Report: Maine Food Industry Fragmented; Clear Plan Would Help
October 22, 2015 | 1 min to read
Contributors to Maine’s food and beverage industry need to get together and develop a coordinated growth plan if they want the state to become a major provider to the region, according to a Harvard University report issued Thursday.
The grant-funded report, by the university’s Maine Food Cluster Project, is based on months of research that included a survey of more than 300 businesses. Its authors set out to answer the question: How can Maine grow its food industry to create jobs and generate economic growth in the state?
The researchers sought answers both inside and outside of Maine. They also looked at Denmark, Oregon and Vermont, where a statewide initiative launched in 2009 has helped spur a 35 percent increase in food manufacturing jobs. In addition to creating an action plan, the report also recommends creating a business-accelerator program for the industry and better coordination among the state’s more than 35 food- and beverage-related trade groups.
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