Latest News

Posted 4/20/2008 - New Report Assesses and Presents Strategies for Growing Maine’s Targeted Technology Clusters - Maine’s Technology Sectors and Clusters:  Status and Strategy 2008 prepared for the Maine Technology Institute and Maine Office of Innovation was prepared by a team led by the Maine Center for Business and Economic Research at University of Southern Maine and included PolicyOne Research, the Battelle Institute, and Planning Decisions.  Overall, the report found that Maine’s effort to grow a technology intensive economy is well underway and while there are weaknesses and challenges, the foundations are strong and warrant further support.  PolicyOne was the principal investigator/analyst for the sectors of information technology and forest products and agriculture.

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Posted 1/30/2008 - New Report Tracks Maine's Competitiveness in the Innovation Economy – The Maine Innovation Index 2008 prepared for the Maine Office of Innovation by PolicyOne Research is a compilation of over 70 indicators and sub-indicators measuring the state's capacity and progress toward competing in an innovation-driven economy. The indicators are organized into five categories representing key components of an innovation-based economy, including research and development, innovation, employment/output, education, and connectivity.  The Index is part of the Maine’s nationally recognized process for evaluating state investments to support research and development and innovation.  Since 1997 Maine has invested more than $370 million to support research and development.  This year’s report reveals that the state has made considerable progress over the past five years at increasing R&D performance within industry, universities and colleges, and the not-for-profit research labs.  It also reveals that more needs to be done to foster venture capital investment and patent activity, as well as increase the amount of students in graduate level science and engineering degree programs.

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Posted 11/16/07 - Justin Gifford Joins PolicyOne Research as Researcher/Analyst - Justin Gifford of Westbrook, Maine has joined PolicyOne Research as researcher/analyst.  Justin has expertise in applied research and analysis and experience in interviewing, surveying, focus groups, and using technology as a means of gathering and disseminating data.  Justin Gifford has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management from the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.  Justin has also earned an Advanced Certificate of Graduate Study in Applied Research and Evaluation Methods.  Justin previously worked for the Registry of Probate for Cumberland County focusing on formal estate matters, system administration for the office's case docketing software, and was responsible for creating and maintaining electronic and interactive versions of Probate forms for dissemination to the public.

Posted 11/16/07 - PolicyOne featured on MPBN Maine Watch program for new study completed for the Portland Community Chamber, “Looking Out for Portland and the Region 2007” –  PolicyOne produced an economic benchmark analysis and report comparing the Portland region and City of Portland to 26 benchmark regions and cities nationally on more than 25 key indicators.  The report provides data regarding the opportunities and challenges facing the City and region and is being used as the foundation for the development of local, regional, and state strategies to grow the economy.

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<<Link to MPBN>>

Posted 03/16/06 - PolicyOne hired by Moody's Collision Centers for development of Tax Increment Financing District - Moody's Collision has hired PolicyOne Research to develop a TIF application to the Town and State to assist the Center with the expansion of its Gorham, Maine facility.  PolicyOne will be preparing fiscal projections, calculations of tax shifts, and Town application to the state.

Posted 03/16/06 - PolicyOne retained by Maine start-up company for business planning and grant preparation - Warp Drive Engines has retained PolicyOne to assist Warp Drive Engines with business planning and completion of a grant application to the Maine Technology Institute for research and development funding.  Warp Drive is a start-up company that is designing a low-speed, high torque engine for use in marine and other industries and is exploring research, development, and commercialization in Maine.

Posted 03/07/06 - PolicyOne presents final report to Gorham Town Council on Fire & EMS Study - Conducted over the course of 2005-06, the Gorham Fire & EMS Study was a joint effort between PolicyOne Research and Maine Fire Training & Education (MFTE) a department of Southern Maine Community College. The purpose of the project was to assist the town in balancing the increasing demands for service delivery with tax and fiscal concerns over the long-term.  Policy-One was responsible for identifying and analyzing demographic, fiscal, and demand and supply trends as they relate to the delivery of fire-EMS services and developing fiscal estimates for various options. MFTE was responsible for assessing and documenting the fire department’s facilities, apparatus, and staffing levels. Other areas examined by the team included fire code enforcement and mandatory sprinkler requirements The analysis team conducted site visits, a survey of membership (using PolicyOne's Websurvey system), interviews, and two open forums with members.

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Posted 03/06/06 - Mainebiz features PolicyOne data and graphsin lead article on technology and R&D in Maine - In its March 6, 2006 edition Mainebiz, "Maine's Business News Source"  featured data and graphs in the lead article titled, "Research Driven".   The article focuses on the status of Maine's efforts to support research and development to grow the state's economy.  The data used was based on PolicyOne's research for the annual Maine Innovation Index produced for the Office of Innovation.

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Posted 01/19/06 - PolicyOne prepares school enrollment projections for SAD 51 - Cumberland & North Yarmouth, Maine to assist district with long-term facility planning - Using their custom cohort survival model, PolicyOne completed 10-year enrollment projections for SAD 51.  PolicyOne's work included an analysis of past trends in enrollments and the factors that influence school enrollments including births, residential development, and economic development.

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<<Link to SAD 51>>

Posted 03/11/05 - Superintendents give low grade to Essential Programs and Services school funding formula - PolicyOne Research, Inc. surveyed all Maine school superintendents and found much dissatisfaction with the new school funding formula. PolicyOne recommends a task force be appointed to review the formula. The report has been released to legislators and school superintendents.

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Posted 03/08/04 - PolicyOne Research, Inc. Presents Overview of R&D Funding Trends to Legislature's Business Research and Economic Development (BRED) Committee - At the request of the Senator Lynn Bromley, Committee Co-Chair, Jim Damicis of PolicyOne Research, Inc. presented a six year overview of R&D funding by program area.  The presentation was part of the Committee's workshop on the development and refinement of an R&D bond package for consideration by the Appropriations Committee.

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Posted 12/01/04 - PolicyOne Research, Inc. Presents Results of Scarborough Community Services Survey to Town Council - PolicyOne Research, Inc. presented the results of the 2004 Scarborough Community Services Survey to the Scarborough Town Council on December 1, 2004.  Over the course of the spring and summer of 2004, PolicyOne Research, Inc. conducted a town wide survey for the Scarborough Community Services and Recreation Advisory Board. The survey was conducted of all households in Scarborough to assess the needs and opinions of residents regarding community service programs and facilities offered by the Town. The survey was distributed via mail to all Scarborough households within the Summer Community Services Brochure. Respondents could either complete a hard copy survey or complete the survey on-line using PolicyOne's online survey system. A total of 254 survey responses were received or approximately 4% of all households. Key findings indicate strong support for development of a community center facility and more services to seniors.   Overall, respondents are satisfied with programs they participated in as well as with the Community Services Department.  The results are intended to be a starting point for further discussions and deliberations for the long-term planning of community services and facilities in Scarborough.

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Posted 10/18/04 - PolicyOne Research, Inc. Prepares Issue Briefs on State Economic Development Policy - PolicyOne Research, Inc. prepared three issue briefs on state economic policy.  The issue briefs were prepared for State Senator Lynn Bromley in her campaign for State Senate President.  In Understanding Maine 's Tax Burden and Business Climate PolicyOne examines issues surrounding Maine 's tax burden and business climate.  PolicyOne finds that Maine has put in place many programs that are making significant progress on improving business competitiveness and growing the state's economy.  However, Maine needs to continue making progress in fostering a positive business environment and investing in economic growth, but success will not occur overnight and long-term polices are better than quick fixes.  In Why Maine Needs a Small Business Development & Entrepreneurial Strategy for Economic Growth PolicyOne reveals that most economic activity occurs through small businesses and entrepreneurship, which is the lifeblood of small business, drives economic growth.  Finally, in

A Profile of Maine's Small Businesses Successes PolicyOne profiles of six innovative companies that have achieved growth in part through partnerships with Maine State government.

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Posted 9/29/04 - New Report Documents Impact of Proposed Tax Cap on Ten Maine Municipalities - A new report completed for the Citizens to Reduce Local Property Taxes Statewide by PolicyOne Research, Inc. of Portland , Maine , documents that the Palesky Tax Cap would devastate Maine communities by resulting in significant reductions and, in many cases, complete elimination of local services. The report was based on individual analyses of ten Maine communities including Alfred, Bangor , Calais , Gorham, Greenville , Mechanic Falls , Jay, Oakland , Rockland , and Agatha. On average these communities would lose 40% of property tax revenues. Such losses would result in municipal workforce reductions of 48%, on average. Across the communities included in the study, the impact of such a revenue and employment loss on local services would be severe. According to the report significant reductions would be required in all services, including core services that Maine citizens and businesses rely on for safety, education, commerce, and basic day-to-day activities such as police, fire, emergency medical services, road maintenance, waste disposal, and code enforcement.

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Posted 8/16/04 - New Report Tracks Maine's Competitiveness in the Innovation Economy - A new report produced by PolicyOne Research, Inc. tracks Maine 's competitiveness in the innovation economy. The report was produced for Maine 's Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) as part of the Department's on-going efforts to improve the state's economic progress. Maine 's Innovation Index 2004 is a compilation of over 70 indicators and sub-indicators measuring the state's capacity and progress toward competing in an innovation-driven economy. The indicators are organized into five categories representing key components of an innovation-based economy, including research and development, innovation, employment, education, and connectivity. The report reveals that the state of Maine has made a serious commitment to supporting R&D and this commitment is beginning to pay off. The state's investments in R&D have grown from just over $2 million in 1991 to over $60 million in 2004. From 1989 through 2000, total R&D performed by industry, not-for-profit research labs, and academic institutions in the state has grown more than 335%, from $73 million in 1989 to over $318 million in 2000, the latest year for which data is available.

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Posted 4/29/2004 - PolicyOne Research contracted to provide "Community Services" survey and analysis for the Town of Scarborough - PolicyOne Research has been contracted by the Town of Scarborough, Maine to develop, implement, and analyze a survey of residents. The survey will ask residents for opinions and preferences regarding "Community Services" and related facilities within Town. Results will be used by the Town's Recreation Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for consideration by the Town Council. For the survey PolicyOne Research will be utilizing its newly developed Web Survey System. This survey and data reporting system was developed through a partnership between PolicyOne Research and Burgess Computer in Bath, Maine. The system enables PolicyOne Research to bring cost-effective surveying, data reporting and management to it clients.