This November, Mainers have a historic opportunity to invest in the state’s future workforce and economic prosperity by voting Yes on Question 4.
Voting “Yes” on this $49 million bond package will fund critically important investments that support our students’ success, prepare our graduates for great careers right here in Maine, and assist employers in filling critical jobs essential to growing their businesses and our state economy.
Maine’s economic success depends upon a skilled workforce — produced by Maine’s public universities. In the last decade, the University of Maine System has awarded more than 56,000 degrees and most of our graduates stay in Maine to live, work and contribute to our communities.
But with record-low unemployment, young people leaving our rural counties, and severe shortages expected in jobs requiring a four-year or advanced degree, it is time to invest in Maine’s public universities.
Maine relies on the $1.5 billion annual statewide economic impact of the University of Maine System — a $7.50 return for every State dollar. For less than the cost of one new Maine high school, Question 4 will:
- Improve and expand classrooms and labs to provide modern education and training in sectors where Maine most needs workers like nursing, engineering, education, and other high-growth STEM fields.
- Increase recruitment, retention, and graduates ready for good-paying careers in Maine.
- Reduce operating and maintenance costs, as well as the University’s footprint.
- Bring more students, jobs, investments, and opportunities to University campuses and local communities — and keep them here in Maine.
$8.5 million of the bond will be invested directly in Franklin County to:
- Grow and strengthen Maine’s teacher workforce by increasing hands-on training and observation opportunities for future and in-service early childhood educators through the construction of a new, expanded Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center. This expansion will specifically reduce the state’s serious shortage of early childhood special educators, and provide more qualified educators to support Maine’s growing pre-kindergarten programs.
- Improve student recruitment and retention by renovating the Olsen Student Center, the most utilized public event space in Western Maine, as well as through long overdue improvements to UMF’s residence halls and other classroom and learning spaces, like Mantor Library, that support student success and serve the broader community.
Thank you for considering your support of this important investment and the historic opportunities it provides for our students and our state — especially in Western Maine!
Learn more at www.yes4mainesworkforce.org