It has been close to a month since a national think tank released its latest rankings of the best performing metropolitan areas in the country. And while these rankings should yield some type of response from the leaders, given greater Lewiston-Auburn’s status as an urban region by federal standards, it has been silent.

A quick look at the numbers and our placement in the 15 among small metros is more than noteworthy. Unfortunately, the top ranking out the 124 regions is not as inspiring as it sounds; we took the 14th largest fall.

 The Milken Institute, a California-based research organization that provides the annual listing, claims to focus its regional economics work on the knowledge economy of the 21st century. From that, they have developed models of analysis to determine which regions are positioning themselves to be successful in this new economy. For those following the rhetoric in Maine in the last five to 10 years, the creative economy and quality of place have been harbingers for how this state positions itself in this arena. 

To live and die by how researchers completing statistical analysis rank your community would be shortsighted. However, to only celebrate the positive listings and brush others under the rug is folly.

Just by looking around greater Lewiston-Auburn, while we can most certainly note progress, there is much to do.

Our unemployment rate is the highest among Maine’s urban areas. 

Our downtown area, while it has shining stars like Eric and Carrie Agren, still leaves much to be desired for market rate housing and focused support of entrepreneurship and locally-owned establishments. 

And our economic development focus is largely the theme of transportation, distribution and logistics. The inclusion of quality of life, technology and research and innovation as areas for critical investments doesn’t appear to catch headlines as often as it does in other areas of Maine, such as Bangor and Portland. 

Those familiar with the field of community development know that it is a long-term game and that the cookie cutter approach, such as trying to duplicate programs from other regions, is likely to be unsuccessful and distracting from staying the course. 

With that said, however, taking lessons learned for how regions have positioned themselves for success is a necessity. 

The current economic climate has, unfortunately, created a convenient scapegoat for the job conditions and the level of prosperity in Maine and this region. But not all areas of the country have taken a significant blow from the housing bubble bursting and the subsequent credit crunch. 

How has Grand Junction, Colo., for example, with its growing population of about 140,000 in the region (for reference Lewiston-Auburn’s region is listed at about 110,000), been able to sustain a position in the top five nationally for small cities?

Were there state policies at play that helped that community retain a strong economy despite outside forces? The only other metro from Colorado also did well.

How did Grand Junction build its economic game plan and stick to it? 

How about Glens Falls, N.Y., with a regional population of almost 130,000, making a jump of 49 places in the rankings? Perhaps this city in New York took a unique look at its place in the state, its location on a river, or what types of civic spaces and infrastructure a downtown needs to attractive businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Or maybe, like Colorado, state plans and policies in New York enhanced Glens Falls’ chances of success, as other small metros in New York moved up as well. 

In Maine, Portland and Bangor both held their own. While Bangor fell slightly, the Portland region made another significant jump, further affirming its progress of recent years.

For a rural state like Maine, I suppose developing a sensible urban development policy would be a challenge for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the large number of legislators representing rural versus urban. Communicating that vibrant, healthy and thriving urban centers generate significant economic activity that can support services and sustainability for rural Maine is not as easy as it sounds. 

And what has the lack of urban policy out of Augusta and, more specifically, out of Lewiston and Auburn city halls meant?

Unfortunately, LA’s free-fall in economic rankings is one outcome and no one was paying attention.

 Jonathan LaBonte, of New Auburn, is a columnist for the Sun Journal and an Androscoggin County Commissioner. E-mail: [email protected].