BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 23, 2026
Maine faces a quiet economic depression. Rural areas, especially in the north, have seen stagnant per-capita GDP since the early 2000s, while Portland surges ahead. Job growth lags the national average, wages struggle against rising costs for housing, energy, and healthcare, and rural depopulation continues. Overall job growth is predicted to remain under 1% annually. Corporate incentives haven’t fixed the urban-rural divide, they’ve widened it. The fix doesn’t require flashy industries or soul-crushing development. Maine’s strongest asset is its 6,000-plus miles of interconnected ATV trails — one of the East Coast’s largest networks. This isn’t just recreation; it’s a proven economic engine. ~ Mandy Parker, Danforth