[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAINE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize Maine 
Development Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. MDF 
is a nonpartisan membership organization that advances sustainable, 
long-term economic growth for the State of Maine. MDF works to empower 
leaders, strengthen communities, and shape public policy through 
trusted economic research.
  MDF was created by State statute in 1978 and now operates statewide 
across all economic sectors. MDF's 250 members represent private 
companies, educational institutions, municipalities, government 
agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The MDF board of directors is 
made up of no less than 15 members who are elected each year. MDF 
operates a number of programs, aimed at increasing economic 
opportunities in Maine, including Leadership Maine, FOR/MAINE, Maine 
Downtown Center, the Maine Economic Growth Council, the Policy Leaders 
Academy, and more.
  Leadership Maine, a cornerstone program of MDF, is a yearlong 
experience that prepares leaders across the State to help shape Maine's 
changing economy. This program has been operating for 25 years and now 
boasts over 1,000 alumni. These leaders are each creating an economy 
driven by educated, innovative, and engaged individuals. Participants 
learn firsthand about important issues facing the State through an 
intensive program that gives exclusive access to key community and 
business leaders. Each class is comprised of 35-45 leaders from across 
the State, from a cross section of the economy. All participants share 
a commitment to make Maine a better place to live and to engage in 
public service in new ways.
  MDF also provides support and staffing for the Maine Economic Growth 
Council, a legislatively chartered group that annually prepares the 
Measures of Growth report. This snapshot of the Maine economy over a 
range of sectors is instructive to policymakers finding the 
intersection of economy, community, and environment in securing a high 
quality of life for Mainers.
  MDF played a critical role in the work and success to date of the 
Economic Development Assessment Team, EDAT, a Federal effort funded by 
the Economic Development Administration to support job growth and 
economic development in Maine's rural communities. Under MDF's 
guidance, the EDAT helped fund and establish the Forest Opportunity 
Roadmap Maine Initiative, a unique collaboration between industry, 
communities, government, education, and nonprofit organizations, 
working together to strengthen Maine's forest economy. With MDF's 
leadership, FOR/Maine developed a comprehensive action plan and 
strategy to support a thriving, innovative, and diverse industry that 
provides good jobs in vibrant rural communities for generations to 
come.
  I am proud to recognize the great work of Maine Development 
Foundation over the last 40 years, and I look forward to what the 
future holds. I want to thank them for all their work to improve their 
community and the State of Maine--your work makes Maine such a special 
place to call home.

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