Governor Janet T. Mills (D) Appearing on a CNN Television Morning Show During the Governor’s Winter Conference in Washington, DC. Earlier This Year.

Governor Janet T. Mills (D), the first woman governor of Maine and its first AG, today signed an Executive Order directing her Admdinistration to develop a plan to establish an offiace of New americans in MDaine State government.

The Executive Order directds the Governor’s office of Policy Innovation and Future (GOPIF) to work with stakeholders in including other State agencies, municipalaities, schools and colleges, employers, community-based organizations and the immigrant, refugee and asylum-seeking communities – to create a plan for the etsablaishment of the new office to be delivered to the governor by January 19, 2024.

The plan will outline the mission and structure of the office, the timing of is estabalishment and the scope of its work, with the overarching goal of ensuring that Maine is effectively incorporating immigrants into its workforce and communities to strengthen the economy over the long-term.

With unemployment at record lows and economic growth among the best in the nation, Maine faces a shortage of workers across regions, professions and skill levels, especially in critical sectors, such as health care, education and construction.  New Mainers are important to addressing this s hortage of workers and attracting new workers is a priority for Maine’s economic future, with the State’s 10-year Economic Strategy setting a target of attractding 75,000 new workers by 2029.

For generations, immigrants have brought their skills, education, and ability to Maine to build a better life for themselves and their families, contribute to the vitality of our communities and became the workforce that our employers in Maine desparately need.  Ths is as true today as it was a century ago,” said Governor Mills.  “My Order will develop a plan for a new office to help us ensure that Maine is fully drawing on the talents and skills of those who want to live and work in and contribue to our great state.  This is a critical step for Maine’s economic future as we address our workforce shortage and support our communities and businesses.”