Caroline Paras meeting with legislators

Who we are

The Maine Center for Business and Economic Research (MCBER) conducts applied research to support the growth of the state’s economy.

Housed within the Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, MCBER works with public agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and communities throughout Maine and New England.

What we do

  • Economic contribution and impact analysis: Measuring how industries, businesses, institutions, investments, facilities, and events contribute to employment, earnings, economic output, and state and local revenues.
  • Industry and cluster analysis: Examining the size, composition, regional concentration, supply chains, workforce, competitive position, and growth potential of established and emerging industries.
  • Workforce and labor-market analysis: Analyzing employment trends, occupations, wages, skills, workforce availability, employer demand, and education and training needs.
  • Market and consumer research: Assessing consumer preferences, purchasing behavior, market demand, pricing, competitive conditions, customer segments, and opportunities for market expansion.
  • Feasibility studies: Evaluating demand, potential users, service areas, competitive conditions, economic context, and other factors affecting the viability of proposed businesses, facilities, and public investments.
  • Community and business needs assessments: Identifying needs, barriers, service gaps, regional differences, and opportunities to strengthen businesses, communities, industries, and support systems.
  • Community and regional profiles: Integrating demographic, economic, workforce, housing, industry, and business data to describe local conditions, identify emerging trends, and establish a foundation for planning and investment.
  • Grant writing and project development: Helping businesses, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and community partners develop competitive funding proposals supported by strong data, clearly defined needs, feasible work plans, and measurable outcomes.
  • Local and regional economic development strategies: Combining economic analysis, community and regional assets, stakeholder perspectives, and comparisons with peer regions to establish priorities and actionable strategies for economic development.

Research methods

MCBER develops each study around the client’s research questions, audience, and intended use of the findings. Our work ranges from focused technical analyses to complex, multi-phase research initiatives. Our methods include the following:

  • Mixed-methods research design
  • Survey design, administration, and analysis
  • Interviews and focus groups
  • Participatory and ethnographic research
  • Stakeholder and community engagement
  • Analysis of public, proprietary, and administrative data
  • Statistical and econometric analysis
  • Input-output modeling
  • Industry, occupational, and supply-chain analysis
  • Market, competitor, and pricing analysis
  • Demographic and socioeconomic analysis
  • Geospatial and regional analysis
  • Peer-community and industry benchmarking
  • Literature and policy reviews
  • Data visualization, mapping, and reporting

Who we work with

MCBER works with organizations throughout Maine and New England, including:

State, regional, and local governments

Economic and community development organizations

Nonprofit and community-based organizations

Businesses and entrepreneurs

Industry and trade associations

Workforce development organizations

Educational institutions

Cultural, tourism, and recreational organizations

Contact us

Have a research question or potential project? Contact MCBER to discuss your organization’s research needs.

Maine Center for Business and Economic Research
Catherine Cutler Institute
University of Southern Maine
34 Bedford Street
Portland, Maine 04101

Richard Bilodeau, MBA
Director
richard.bilodeau@maine.edu

Caroline Paras, MA
Research Analyst
caroline.paras@maine.edu