Maine Economic Growth Council

What Maine Economic Growth Council does

Maine Economic Growth Council (MEGC) is a statutory council established in 1994 and administered by Maine Development Foundation (MDF), a non-partisan, statewide 501(c)-style membership non-profit headquartered in Hallowell/Augusta, Maine. MEGC's sole product is the development of long-range economic plans for the State of Maine and the measurement of progress against those plans, including the annual Measures of Growth Report, now in its 31st year, which tracks 31 key economic indicators. Council members are jointly appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate, making MEGC a structurally unique hybrid of private-sector perspective and state-government planning authority with no direct operational equivalent in Maine.

MDF operates a diversified portfolio built around four pillars: (1) economic policy and research (MEGC, the Measures of Growth Report, and the Making Maine Work report series produced jointly with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce since 2010); (2) leadership development, including the nine-month Leadership Maine program (1,300+ alumni), the eight-month Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL, 850+ alumni), the Policy Leaders Academy for legislators, the Realize Maine Network for young professionals, and the Revive Civility initiative; (3) community and workforce programs including Maine Downtown Center (a Main Street America coordinating program covering 10 accredited and 15 affiliate communities), the MaineSpark Coalition (workforce credential attainment goal of 70% by 2035), FOR/Maine (forest economy diversification targeting $8.5B to $12B by 2025), SEA Maine (seafood economy accelerator), and the Maine Alliance for Health & Prosperity; and (4) a convening/infrastructure role across 250+ organizational members including L.L. Bean, Hannaford, Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power, MEMIC, and the University of Maine System.

MDF's revenue model is a mix of membership dues (rates from $50 entry-level to $10,000 Champion Circle for-profit), leadership-program tuition ($6,000 members / $6,500 non-members for both ICL and Leadership Maine, each with a $300 personal contribution), charitable giving, and government and foundation grants that flow through MDF for program administration (e.g., U.S. EDA support for FOR/Maine, Northern Border Regional Commission, National Park Service). The organization is privately held with no investors; a single funding-round data point references a $2,500 injection from Maine Technology Institute in 2020, consistent with a modest program-level pass-through rather than institutional capital. Go-to-market is statewide within Maine via direct membership sales, coalition-based program distribution, and in-person cohort-based leadership experiences; MEGC/MDF serves no customers outside the State of Maine.

Name

Maine Economic Growth Council

Legal name

Maine Development Foundation

Website

https://mdf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maine Economic Growth Council is a statutory council administered by Maine Development Foundation that develops long-range economic plans for Maine and produces the annual Measures of Growth Report. MDF also runs statewide leadership, downtown-revitalization, workforce, and sector-economy coalition programs serving Maine businesses, governments, and nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Housing, Urban/Regional Planning & Community Development (BPAIABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Central Government Policy, Strategy & Performance (incl. OMB-style functions) (BPAIAAAB), Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE), Executive Leadership & C-Suite Development (EDABAAAA)

Keywords

• Economic development research
• Leadership development programs
• Public policy research
• Workforce development initiatives
• Downtown revitalization programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hallowell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: MDF operates as a membership organization with rates starting at $50, serving individuals, businesses, educational institutions, municipalities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Champion Circle level membership for non-profits is $5,000 and for-profit organizations is $10,000.
2. Program Fees: Revenue generated from leadership development programs including Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) tuition at $6,000 for members and $6,500 for non-members, and Leadership Maine tuition at $6,000 for members and $6,500 for non-members.
3. Grants and Government Funding: MEGC is established in statute and administered by Maine Development Foundation. The council receives funding through various grants including support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for FOR/Maine initiative.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maine Economic Growth Council (MEGC), administered by Maine Development Foundation (MDF), develops long-range economic plans for Maine and tracks progress against benchmarks through the annual Measures of Growth Report. MDF delivers cohort-based leadership development programs (Leadership Maine, Institute for Civic Leadership, Policy Leaders Academy), operates the Maine Downtown Center for preservation-based downtown revitalization, and convenes cross-sector coalitions (MaineSpark, FOR/Maine, SEA Maine, MAHP) to drive workforce, forest products, seafood economy, and health equity outcomes.

Product overview

Maine Development Foundation operates as a non-partisan, statewide driver of sustainable economic growth in Maine, offering a portfolio of leadership development programs and economic research initiatives. The core offerings include Leadership Maine (a nine-month outward experiential program) and the Institute for Civic Leadership (an eight-month inward-focused program), both providing cohort-based leadership training across all sectors. Additional programs include Policy Leaders Academy for legislators, the Maine Downtown Center for preservation-based revitalization, and coalition programs like MaineSpark (workforce credentials goal), FOR/Maine (forest economy diversification), and SEA Maine (seafood economy growth). Research products include the Measures of Growth Report (31st year annual economic indicators) and Making Maine Work Report Series. The organization connects people through trusted research, leadership development, and creative partnerships to stimulate economic growth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Maine Downtown Center: Statewide resource for preservation-based downtown revitalization and Main Street America coordinating program
• MaineSpark
• FOR/Maine
• SEA Maine
• MAHP
• Leadership Maine
• Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL)
• Policy Leaders Academy
• Realize Maine Network

Products and services

• Leadership Maine A nine-month statewide, outward-oriented experiential leadership program that takes participants beyond their day-to-day experience to explore Maine's diverse regions, economies, issues, and people through direct interaction with business and community leaders. Tuition is $6,000 for MDF members and $6,500 for non-members.
• Institute for Civic Leadership (ICL) An eight-month experiential, inward-focused leadership development program that enables leaders to develop collaborative and facilitative skills in a cohort-based learning environment. Tuition is $6,000 for MDF members and $6,500 for non-members, including program, materials, meals, facilities, and two nights lodging for Outward Bound Retreat.
• Policy Leaders Academy A non-partisan educational program for Maine legislators providing objective training on fundamentals of the Maine economy, factors driving long-term growth, and how public policy decisions affect investment strategies.
• Maine Downtown Center A Main Street America Coordinating Program serving as a statewide resource for preservation-based downtown revitalization, supporting 10 nationally accredited Main Street communities and 15 state-designated Maine Downtown Affiliate communities. Achieved $1.23 reinvestment ratio and supported 692 net new businesses (1999-2024).
• MaineSpark Coalition A partnership of employers, educators, and nonprofit leaders with a goal that by 2035, 70% of working-age Mainers will hold postsecondary credentials leading to good jobs.
• FOR/Maine (Forest Opportunity Roadmap) A cross-sector coalition working to diversify Maine's wood products businesses, attract capital investments, and develop greater economic prosperity for rural communities. Funded by U.S. Economic Development Administration.
• SEA Maine (Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine) An industry-led initiative bringing together leaders in Maine's commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood economy to create economic growth, market and workforce development, and greater resiliency through a comprehensive roadmap and action plan.
• Maine Alliance for Health & Prosperity (MAHP) A leadership network focused on cross-sector health and prosperity that advances policy changes to improve the health and economic well-being of all Maine people and communities through the intersection of health, prosperity, and equity.
• Realize Maine Network A network connecting regional groups, businesses, organizations, and policymakers to share best practices for attracting and retaining young people to live, work, and thrive in Maine.
• Revive Civility A grassroots initiative partnering with the National Institute for Civil Discourse and League of Women Voters of Maine to improve public and political discourse through training on respectful dialogue and relationship building.
• Measures of Growth Report An annual non-partisan, independent snapshot of Maine's economy that tracks 31 key economic indicators to inform policy and decision making, assigning Gold Stars for progress and Red Flags for areas needing attention.
• Making Maine Work Report Series An action plan report series produced in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce focusing on workforce development, early childhood investment, and human capital factors to grow Maine's economy.
• MDF Membership Annual membership tier for individuals and organizations providing access to MDF event rates, first release of publications, networking opportunities, and cross-sector engagement. Champion Circle premium tier priced at $5,000 for non-profits and $10,000 for for-profits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Education attainment increased to 55.5% as of 2024, approaching initial 60% goal
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FOR/Maine (Forest Opportunity Roadmap)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Cross-sector coalition working to diversify wood products businesses, attract capital investments, and develop greater economic prosperity for Maine's rural communities. MDF is a lead partner and serves as convening agent. Goal: grow forest economy from $8.5 billion to $12 billion by 2025.
• MaineSpark CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership of employers, educators, and nonprofit leaders launched in 2016 to address education and workforce challenges. MDF serves as key partner and staff. New goal: 70% of working-age Mainers will hold postsecondary credentials by 2035.
• Realize Maine NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork connecting regional groups, businesses, organizations, and policymakers to share best practices for attracting and retaining young people to live, work, and thrive in Maine. Started from Governor's Summit on Youth Migration in 2004.
• SEA Maine (Seafood Economic Accelerator for Maine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-led initiative bringing together leaders in Maine's commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood economy. Funded initially by U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration with match from Maine Technology Institute and FocusMaine.
• Maine Alliance for Health & Prosperity (MAHP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership network focused on cross-sector health and prosperity. Seeks to address and eliminate systemic inequities in health and economic outcomes for BIPOC, poor, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ people.
• Maine State Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to produce Making Maine Work report series since 2010 and Maine Economic Vision 2035. Collaborate on workforce development, economic competitiveness, and policy priorities.
• Hurricane Island Outward Bound SchoolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartners with MDF to facilitate the Opening Retreat for Institute for Civic Leadership at Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.
• Maine Economic Growth CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil established in statute to develop long-range economic plan for Maine and measure progress. Members jointly appointed by Governor, Speaker of House, and President of Senate. Administered by Maine Development Foundation.
• Main Street America / National Main Street CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaine Downtown Center is a Main Street America Coordinating Program. Part of powerful grassroots network of 40+ Coordinating Programs and 1,200+ neighborhoods committed to preservation-based economic development.
• Maine Historic Preservation CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Maine Downtown Center for REvitalizeME Grant Program administering $660,000 in matching grants for historic preservation.
• National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonpartisan organization partnering with MDF and League of Women Voters of Maine for Revive Civility initiative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Main Street Center: The National Main Street Center is the parent network for the Maine Downtown Center and operates the Main Street America accreditation program, making it the most directly comparable peer for MDF's downtown revitalization and community development work.
• Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI): CEI is a Maine-focused community development financial institution with overlapping economic development and rural prosperity missions, and several MEGC Council members (e.g., Keith Bisson) represent it.
• Maine Technology Institute: MTI is a state-funded organization that backs sector-specific economic development initiatives in Maine, including providing match funding for SEA Maine, making it a directly comparable state economic-development peer.
• Maine Community Foundation: Maine Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit that funds community, education, and economic development work across Maine, paralleling MDF's geographic scope and cross-sector coalition model.
• FocusMaine: FocusMaine is a Maine-based economic accelerator that focuses on targeted industry sectors (biotech, aquaculture, forestry); it co-funds SEA Maine, directly overlapping with MDF's industry-cluster convening approach.
• Regional Plan Association: Regional Plan Association is a research and planning organization that produces long-range reports for a multi-state region, paralleling the Measures of Growth Report and Maine Economic Vision 2035 outputs.

Broad incumbents

• Maine State Chamber of Commerce: The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is a long-time co-production partner on the Making Maine Work report series and Maine Economic Vision 2035, making it a peer advocate for state economic competitiveness and business policy.
• National Association of Development Organizations (NADO): NADO represents regional development organizations nationwide, including Economic Development Districts that mirror MDF's role convening counties, cities, and economic development stakeholders.
• Massachusetts Technology Collaborative: MassTech is a state-level quasi-public economic development agency that convenes cluster initiatives and public-private partnerships, comparable to MDF's role administering industry coalitions like FOR/Maine and SEA Maine.

Regional players

• Vermont Council on Rural Development: VCRD is a New England statewide nonpartisan organization that, like MDF, convenes cross-sector leadership programs and produces state-level policy research and community planning initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/73650432148
• Xx.com/mainedowntowns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maine-development-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maine Economic Growth Council