The “Launch-LA!” contest is a great example of the energy and community spirit available in the Twin Cities.

But only one of the two projects selected has the potential to grow the sort of high-tech manufacturing jobs the community desperately needs.

The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council kicked off a competition last fall to entice young entrepreneurs to Lewiston-Auburn.

The winner will receive more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind services from local professionals to help start his or her business.

The contest criteria, however, suffered from an unfortunate shortcoming: Applicants had to be local young people who had moved away and wanted to return.

That not only eliminated a large group of possible young entrepreneurs already dedicated to this community, but it sent a message that the only good ideas are the ones that come from someplace else.

Perhaps as a result, the contest received only a handful of entries. A committee was formed and it established a points-based system for judging entries based upon criteria such as creativity, viability, local roots and “wow” factor.

The two projects receiving the most points were very different.

One project was submitted by Donald Havener, a graduate of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and involves the design and manufacture of an innovative device for preventing ski injuries.

The “Havener Hot Plate” sits between a ski and its binding and absorbs some of the ski’s impact and allows more flexibility in the binding. This, he believes, might reduce injuries.

Havener, who is in his mid-20s, would hire several engineers to work on the plate design and he envisions his business working on other types of protective gear, such as helmets.

The other applicant is Chelsea Fournier, a Lewiston native, now working as a lawyer in Biddeford.

Fournier and her sister would open “Lifestyles Massage,” a massage therapy center “focused on the sustainability of health, the local economy and the environment.”

We have no doubt that the two sisters are capable, talented people. Nor do we doubt that massage can be a way to help treat injuries and maintain health.

Unfortunately, there are already 10 massage businesses listed in the Lewiston-Auburn Yellow Pages. Plus, there are massage services available at the local hospitals, at a local sports clinic and at several gyms.

While the project apparently has an impressive business plan, it would be unfair to offer a $100,000 leg up to a new business that would compete with local people who have already invested time and money opening existing businesses.

What’s more, Lewiston-Auburn seems to have little difficulty developing service- sector jobs. What we are lacking is high-tech manufacturing jobs and firms with growth potential.

There are, of course, risks to any start-up, and the “Havener Hot Plate” may be riskier than simply duplicating an existing service.

However, Havener’s idea also has the potential to create a new product for a large market and to create new jobs.

It is the better idea.

rrhoades@sunjournal.com

The opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the ownership and editorial board.

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To cast your vote, go to www.launchlamaine.com.

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