A forum will help ready the cities for the first-ever Blaine House conference.

LEWISTON – Want to be part of the creative future of Lewiston-Auburn and attend the cities’ first Blaine House Conference in the process?

The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Maine Arts Commission and the Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy Steering Committee are hosting a regional breakfast forum from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston.

The purpose of the forum is to present the creative economy concept to the community and to collect information helpful for this May’s Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy, which will take place in Lewiston.

The public forum will engage the community in a discussion of Maine’s creative economy as well as Lewiston/Auburn’s unique opportunity to host the Blaine House Conference.

Following the forum there will be an optional viewing of the Nancy Kelly film “Downside Up,” which documents the transformation of North Adams, Mass., as the state revitalized a large mill into a museum of contemporary art.

“This is the first time Lewiston-Auburn has hosted a Blaine House Conference,” said Chip Morrison, president of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. “We have a great opportunity to shine for not only the 500 to 600 conference attendees, but for all of New England.”

A recent New England Council study showed that the creative sector is a major growing factor in the New England economy. The research provided new information and understanding of the creative economy and defined opportunities for the growth of this sector.

The research also indicated Maine has a high concentration of creative workers.

“The creative economy is a catalyst for the creation of new jobs in Maine communities,” said Gov. John Baldacci. “People who create jobs want to live in places that have a diverse cultural mix and an innovative and educated work force. Maine will be competitive economically if we continue to capitalize on the synergies between entrepreneurship, education, the arts and quality of life.”

Representatives of municipalities, chambers of commerce, economic development directors, businesses, nonprofit organizations, as well as students and any others interested, are encouraged to attend the forum.

To reserve a place at the forum or for more information, phone Morrison at the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce at 783-2249 and at cmorrison@androscoggincounty.com or Abbe Levin at the Maine Arts Commission at 287-2710 and at abbe.levin@maine.gov

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