Economic Development Dashboard

In 2018 GPCOG wrote a new 5-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) focused on integrating the organization’s new Strategic Plan with its responsibilities as the EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD) for the greater Portland region. Our new CEDS dashboard focuses on notable changes in our region in order to inform our resiliency discussions and provide leadership in the analysis of and response to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Demographics

Our region is getting younger. This has been an ongoing trend over several years. Our region’s poverty level is declining and incomes are rising, but inflation adjusted income is flat.

Education

Our region is becoming better educated as residents increase their level of educational attainment and we attract a greater than average number of well educated residents.

Economy

Our region’s employment is at an historic high, aligned with growing incomes, but in contrast to inflation-adjusted income data. Our region’s exports are increasing in response to expanded international shipping capacity in Portland and favorable trade opportunities for many Maine businesses.

Entrepreneurship

Our region’s investments are expanding, evidenced by strong small business lending, indicating a continued opportunity for small business economic growth in our region. Our region’s investments are expanding, evidenced by strong small business lending, indicating a continued opportunity for small business economic growth in our region.

Resiliency

Our region’s unfragmented habitat has decreased somewhat, but conservation land has increased significantly. Our region’s carbon emissions and home heating oil use have declined, and energy efficiency investments have expanded, but transportation-based carbon emissions remain a concern.