WHEREAS, manufacturing in Maine plays a critical role in the lives of our citizens and the operation of our businesses, and our state has a significant interest in the continued vitality of manufacturing, educational institutions, and organizations; and

WHEREAS, communities in Maine depend on high wage, high-skilled jobs and tax bases for the continued flow of commerce to and from our state; and

WHEREAS, Maine is home to approximately 1,880 manufacturing business establishments that add $6.3 billion dollars in GDP annually, equaling 10 percent of the state's total GDP; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, manufacturing provided over 53,850 jobs statewide with a payroll of $3.4 billion, accounting for 14.4 percent of statewide wages paid, with an average wage of $62,250, 11 percent higher than the average for all other industries; and

WHEREAS, Maine manufacturing plays a vital role in the United States and globally in military and defense, aerospace, metal, paper, marine and boat building, semi-conductor, wood, textile, aquaculture, biotech, medical device, electronics, RF and wireless communications, plastics, composites and bioplastics, studio and food manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, organizations such as the Manufacturers Association of Maine, Maine Wood Products Alliance, Maine Composites Alliance, Maine Aquaculture Association, Biotech Association of Maine, Maine Built Boats, Maine Composites Alliance, Maine Marine Trades Association, Maine Brewers Guild, Maine Grocers and Food Producers Association, Maine MEP and other membership organizations recognize and promote the interests and importance of manufacturing in Maine and throughout the world;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as

Manufacturing Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this fourth day of October Two Thousand Twenty Three