COVER STORY

The Seacoast of Maine and New Hampshire is one community separated by a common river. With that kissing-cousin logic in mind, business, nonprofit, civic and political leaders from each state are committed in 2007 to building upon the common ground on either side of the Piscataqua.

What began as the Bi-State Summit last fall is continuing as a means to identify ways to pool resources both to meet residents’ concerns and to improve the local business and tourist economy.

“We need to take people’s specific passions and move forward,” said Cathy Goodwin, president and CEO of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce. “We have amazing resources on both sides of the river but we let the river divide us.” In lending perspective to area strengths and weaknesses, Goodwin cites a need to be patient and persistent. “Economic development isn’t a tomorrow thing,” she said. “It’s a several days after tomorrow thing. It takes time.”

Dick Ingram, president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, said advances in affordable housing, alternative energy, job creation, and transportation improvements require long-term planning. Meanwhile, he said there is mutual agreement the region can do more to leverage existing assets — the established businesses, entrepreneurs and experts. “We have a lot of wealth accumulating in this area,” he said. “Are there opportunities for this boomer wealth, ways to invest it in the community?”

Dick Ingram, president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Rich Beauchesne

The whole idea of looking ahead, of embracing change, was underscored by former Maine Gov. Angus King, when he quoted hockey legend Wayne Gretsky: “I skate to where the puck is going to be. Everyone else skates to where the puck is.” Maine Gov. John Baldacci and N.H. Gov. John Lynch also attended the conference, the goal of which was to advance the regional economy. Housing and health care were issues taking on even greater importance. Business professors from the University of Southern Maine and the University of New Hampshire offered presentations.

Both sides of the river aim to build on last year’s success in protecting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard from closure.

In addition to cross-marketing efforts, the summit participants embraced collaborative efforts in the area of arts and culture and promoting and expanding passenger rail service.

Participants, in responding to a questionnaire, also said businesses in each state were over-regulated, that small business was the backbone of the economy, and that protection of natural resources was a priority.

The different tax structures in each state remain a large challenge, according to a post-summit report. Another challenge cited is the old “What’s in it for me?” attitude. The agenda for the summit was itself direct and frank in asking tough questions. One line asked, in reference to the high cost of living in Rye Beach and York Beach: “Have we become too chic for our own good?”

The long-time ties between York County in southern Maine and Rockingham and Strafford counties in New Hampshire are getting some much needed respect and attention. The KEYS region has a much greater voice for residents and businesses in Kittery, Eliot, York and South Berwick.

Residents in the KEYS region vote and pay taxes in southern Maine, but they often work or shop in New Hampshire, noted Diane Brandon, a member of the KEYS Coalition. “We’re part of both Maine and New Hampshire,” she said.

Brandon said yet another challenge for those just on the northeastern side of the river is the sense of a disconnect with the rest of Maine. In other words, Maine does not start and end at Kennebunk. Given the attendance of two of Maine’s governors, that message is getting through.

The summit was so well received its organizers planned a follow-up session for late last month, with a mutual understanding the discussions and research reports were the first steps in a long journey.

“It doesn’t have to be a big thing at first,” Ingram said. “We should look for the little victories and then move on.”