Brookings study offers insight

    Last week, Scarborough was given a valuable new tool to be used for planning its future. Alongside the town’s comprehensive plan and a multitude of more specific studies like the one released recently by the Senior Advisory Committee, Scarborough can now look to “Charting Maine’s Future,” a new study released by the Brookings Institution (a non-partisan think-tank) as guidance. The study is an ambitious, all-encompassing analysis of Maine’s current state of being and a carefully crafted blueprint for building a prosperous future here that maintains a high quality of life. Anyone who wants a deep understanding of contemporary Maine should give it a read (you can find it at www.growsmartmaine.org). The study doesn’t explicitly zoom in on Scarborough, but the town seems to epitomize many of the crucial issues that it brings to the forefront. The major theme that comes across in the report is that Maine is undergoing the difficult but promising transition from a rural culture and economy to a sophisticated, suburbanized and globalized culture and economy. The underlying dilemma, the study shows, is figuring out how to go about that transition in a way that maximizes prosperity but minimizes the loss of the rural character and environment we cherish. The fundamental challenges facing the state, in other words, are exactly the same fundamental challenges facing the town. Scarborough is a perfect microcosm of the state’s circumstances, it seems. A city like Portland or a town like Jackman, at the urban or rural extremes of the state, might not get quite as much out of the Brookings study. But for Scarborough, there’s plenty of useful insight and some good news. One of the major points the report emphasizes is that Mainers need to accept how great their state is and realize its enormous economic potential: “As the search for quality places grows in importance, Maine possesses a globally known ‘brand’ built on images of livable communities, stunning scenery, and great recreational opportunities. Likewise, as ‘innovation’ drives more of the economy, Maine’s reputation for Yankee ingenuity and resourcefulness matters more. On several counts, in short, Maine is surprisingly well-positioned for the future.” What is perhaps most gratifying about the report is that it reveals the false dilemma of the supposed choice between preserving our environment (and rural character) and supporting economic development. Our beautiful state is filled with what the report calls “quality places,” which are in fact what has and will drive economic development. For example, the reason why a world-class biomedical research facility like Jackson Laboratory is located in the middle of Acadia National Park is because Mount Desert Island is an amazing place. Who wouldn’t want to be there? Likewise, Scarborough is a pretty nice place too, and with the rapid growth the town has seen, it’s become clear that people want to be here. Tax breaks, other incentives and an overall “business friendly” atmosphere might help lure businesses here, but our most valuable asset is where we are. When you see studies that list Maine as one of worst places to do business in the nation, keep in mind that those studies don’t take into account the fact that there are intangible advantages to operating a business in a place that is pleasant to live. From talking to some people you might get the impression that Maine is in pretty poor shape – more along the lines of a corruptly governed developing nation than a region that offers an incredibly high quality of life in the wealthiest nation to ever exist. And sometimes I get the sense around here that some people feel Scarborough’s situation is equally as dire. But in fact, Scarborough is an affluent town with a smoothly functioning government, a strong school system, priceless natural resources and a location within the economic heart of the state. The town has abundant challenges, but overall, people should be pretty optimistic. The Brookings study explores a wide range of topics and offers many ideas to consider, but the prime insight I gained is that we need to be careful that in our rush to build a twenty-first century economy, we don’t destroy our most valuable tools to actually make that happen. Before we build massive developments in a rush to boost what we believe is our failing economy, we need to cautiously consider not only whether that particular development will bring in dollars, but also the impact it will have on what is most important – the distinct place we live. Destroying a state – or a town – in order to save it just doesn’t work.