AUGUSTA – A best-selling author who argues that communities that focus on quality of life and a creative workforce fare better than those that focus on traditional brick-and-mortar development is bringing his message to Maine.

Richard Florida, a visiting scholar at the Brookings Institution think tank and former public policy professor at Carnegie Mellon University, will be the keynote speaker at the Blaine House Conference on Maine’s Creative Economy. The conference, set for May 6-7 at the Bates Mill complex in Lewiston, will highlight the economic potential of linking art, culture, commerce and community.

“We’re pleased that Dr. Florida will be addressing the Blaine House conference,” said Gov. John Baldacci, who identified developing a creative economy among his economic priorities. “Maine has taken a leadership position on the creative economy and will be competitive economically if we continue to capitalize on the creative synergies between entrepreneurship, education, the arts and quality of life. Developing strategies to help innovative workers grow Maine’s economy benefits all the state – providing jobs and revitalizing our downtowns.”

Florida’s book, “The Rise of the Creative Class and How It’s Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life,” has been a national best seller since its release in 2002. In it, he identifies the creative worker – scientists, engineers, architects, teachers, writers, entertainers, artists and others – as the most influential class of worker in today’s economy. Creative workers make up about 30 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 50 percent of the nation’s wages, according to his research.

Maine’s abundant natural resources, cultural traditions and exceptional quality of life help it score well on a creativity index that Florida developed at Carnegie Mellon. Marshaling that creativity into good-paying jobs that attract and retain innovative workers is part of the creative economy’s goal.

Florida’s address will be delivered on the second day of the conference. Other speakers include Baldacci and Richard Barringer and Charles Colgan, who will present research showing the impact of the creative economy in terms of local jobs wages, business recruitment and retention.

More than 18 break-out sessions will explore the nuts and bolts of launching a creative economy and the impact of its many multiplier effects. For a schedule of the sessions, or to register, go to www.mainecreativeeconomy.org.

Individual registrations are $85. Teams of five or more are encouraged at a discount rate of $65 per person. For more information, contact Abbe Levin at the Maine Arts Commission, 287-2710.