PARIS – The Growth Council of Oxford Hills, the Lake Region Development Council and the Maine Arts Commission are sponsoring a Creative Economy Forum from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 3 at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

It’s free and open to the public, but preregistration is requested.

The regional forum will include discussion about creative economy initiatives in western Maine and a showing of the film “Downside Up,” which documents the transformation of North Adams, Mass., as the state turned a large mill into a contemporary art museum.

New England Council research findings have shown that Maine has a high concentration of creative workers, and that communities large and small will prosper economically when the arts and culture are a vital part of community life. The arts and culture are considered also critical for attracting employees and keeping young people in Maine.

Catalyst for new jobs

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

On May 6 and 7, a Blaine House Conference on the Creative Economy will be held at the Bates Mill Complex in Lewiston.

All those interested are invited to attend the free forum on March 3. This includes representatives of municipalities, chambers of commerce, economic development directors, businesses, nonprofits and the general public.

The conference aims to bring together economic developers, bankers, lawyers and people in the business sector to show them how investing in arts-based or creative endeavors can benefit their communities.

Already happening

Brett Doney, president of Enterprise Maine and a conference participant, said, “As traditional manufacturing industries continue to decline in our region, western Maine is poised to capitalize on the creative economy. We already have attracted many such businesses on the strength of our region’s character, quality of life and great work ethic. We believe that western Maine’s future economic prosperity is more likely to be based upon investments from many individuals and small companies that are seeking a better way of life than on attracting a few large industries. The creative economy concept accurately describes what is already occurring in western Maine and what we are working to encourage in the future.”

For more information, people may phone Barb Olson at the Growth Council of Oxford Hills, 743-8830.

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