Mixed bag in Economic Recovery for VT, NH and ME

Northern New England is emerging from itsof learning as good? Some say it is better. have
economic recession steadily, no one is breakingseen it and can tend to agree in many instances
any speed records but all is not down and out aswhen we are discussing putting American's back
predicted. Some industry sectors are blasting rightto work. Maine has been making approximately
along. New Nano and Bio tech are strong and344 million in sales tax revenues and about 53
people are getting high paying jobs, while others inmillion a year in gas taxes. Non-Maine residents
the areas of VT, NH, ME are saying that summercontributed 9 Billion in revenue to Maine's
vacation rentals are not doing looking so hot aseconomy in 2001. In winter of 2002-03 there was
one property management consultant told us.actually a 4% increase in tourism, which is good
Although from what we could tell it looks good.and it appears to be beating out airline traffic to
Another income property owner confirmed thisother places as people can drive from the
who owns properties along 95 all the way into FL.megalopolis for the weekend, day or week. But
ME is not great, NH is not as good either and awe saw the same thing in Dolly Land in TN where
few have given up this year. In NH a 3 bedroom,people could drive for a min-vacation.Average
private dock and hot tub with two boats wasHousing price is up to 148K now, which is 13.8%
going for only $2,000 per week on a lake thathigher than previously. Hard work ethic is good in
was last year and this year about $1800.00 someMaine and almost as good as the comments on
only $1200 per week; such a deal for a vacation.the Western side of the country when discussing
On the commercial side we are seeing Grubb andthose in Iowa and places like Fargo North Dakota.
Ellis, Prudential, CB Richard Commercial etc. areThis years Outlook "The State of Maine Business
inundated with properties and eager investors are2005" had plenty of examples of small businesses,
looking to buy anything producing 8-10% inhousing builders, community banks, colleges,
returns, which a few years back would be poortourism success and other types of businesses
value and they would be uninterested. In MA,doing well. We have to ask ourselves how and
BioTech is getting a little boost from VC but verywhen will Maine be back to full speed in reality of
little else is drawing in funds forthe whole?It looks as if it is happening now, and
expansion.Healthcare is good, but not great,the time is clicking away as summer is burning
complaining about all the ruthless and vindictiveand they are making hay as the snowbirds will
regulators who are storming them as they say. Inleave in winter and tourism will be based on
Maine many have gone back to school and as adiehards and snowmobil'ers. Well it looks as if we
matter of fact when we visited we found thatare bullish on a few areas that are over 80,000 in
many of those unemployed people have gonepopulation in Maine. There are many cities, which
back to school or decided to stop looking. Talkeddraw from over all population bases, which we
with a lady who ran a small business in one citycan consider. We like Augusta and Portland right
whose husband had hurt his shoulder and wasaway and will be looking at others after a
looking for something else but not all that hard.complete economic recovery and in Summer of
The idea of more people getting degrees in Maine2005. If you wish to start a business in Maine we
was significant as it compares with Mass with onlywould recommend any large city on the 95
1/3 the number of lettered degrees. In oneincluding Bangor, Waterville, Augusta, Auburn
Technical School-College in Maine it was found thatLewiston/Brunswick, Portland, and Sanford
52.5% of all students were non-traditional,Springvale. Keep New England in your
meaning online and night school, which is a growingthoughts.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank
trend across America. Is this non-traditional typeforum board.