Pine Tree Watch recently published, Help Wanted:  The Immigrant Opportunity, a three part series looking at the importance of immigrants to Maine’s economy.

The series included perspectives from MeBIC’s director Beth Stickney, as well as from many of MeBIC’s Board members and partners, including Carla Dickstein of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, John Dorrer, former director of the Maine Department of Labor’s Center for Workforce Research and Information,  Ben Waxman of American Roots, and Brian Skoczenski of Ready Seafood, and highlights data from MeBIC partner the New American Economy, among other sources.

The bill also highlights several bills that MeBIC has helped craft or supported both in the last legislative session and in the current one.  However, Part 3 is not a full accounting of the bills we are working on.  You can find a more complete list here.

The series is a thoughtful, in-depth look at a complex issue of great importance to Maine and Maine’s economy.  It’s worth a read, through the links below.

Part 1:   Filling a Severe Gap

Part 2:   A Daunting Maze of Barriers

Part 3.   It’s Cost vs. Potential in the Debate over Making It Easier for Immigrants