Senate backs bill to support STEM students, retain workforce

Posted: March 30, 2016 | Senator Alfond

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Wednesday gave its approval to a bill that would support STEM students and provide incentives for them to live and work in Maine after graduation.

The bill, LD 1655, is sponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond on behalf of Gov. Paul LePage. It establishes a low-interest loan program for Maine residents studying in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). The program will help Mainers attend colleges and use reduced interest rates as incentives to help them live and work in Maine after graduation.

“To create jobs in our state, we must develop a skilled workforce capable of creating, building and maintaining the economy of the future,” said Sen. Alfond. “By recruiting more STEM students, supporting their education and creating incentives for them to stay in Maine, we can attract high-tech manufacturers, engineering firms and others to invest in our state and create jobs.”

Maine’s average age is 43, making its workforce the oldest in the country. Meanwhile, too many young Mainers are leaving the state for high-paying jobs elsewhere in the country.  Simultaneously, employers in Maine, and job creators that would like to relocate here, say a lack of skilled employees prevents them from investing or expanding in Maine.

LD 1655 is part of a package of bills sponsored by Sen. Alfond on behalf of the governor. The bills are all aimed at ending Maine’s “brain drain” and investing in the state’s workforce. The senate gave initial approval to another of those bills — LD 1657, which expands eligibility for student debt relief in Maine — on Tuesday.

A third bill, LD 1656, which would provide funding for the STEM loan program, is being considered by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.

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