This regards “Gov. Mills launches Dirigo Business Incentive Program at Lisbon’s Springworks Farm” (July 26).

Eight years ago the MaineSpark coalition of business leaders, nonprofits, schools, universities and other partners came together to establish Maine’s education attainment goal: by 2025, 60% of adults will hold a post-secondary credential valued by our businesses and industry. We’ve been working hard to achieve this goal.

An exciting example of our work together is our state’s new economic development model, the Dirigo Business Incentive Program, which was proposed by Gov. Mills and received bi-partisan legislative support.

The Dirigo Business Incentive Program addresses the lack of skilled workers and need for increased capital investments by offering businesses that pay to train up to three new employees a $2,000 tax credit per trained worker. Businesses that target manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, forestry, freight, software or scientific research are eligible for up to a 15% tax credit for capital investments. These are great additions to a toolbox full of incentives promoted by MaineSpark partners to reach the state goal.

No matter who someone is, where they live, or what they do for work, the MaineSpark Coalition wants more Mainers to know there are many pathways to rewarding careers right here in our current economy. Programs like the Dirigo Business Incentive exist to help employees and employers promote the education and training necessary for our citizens and for a thriving workforce.

We encourage more businesses and workers to take advantage of these resources and be an integral part of Maine’s economic development success story.

Jason Judd, Lewiston, Educate Maine executive director

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