Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Heather Johnson will be stepping down from her position on March 1 of this year.
Johnson was first appointed by Gov. Janet Mills (D) in 2019 and since then has been described as a “driving force” behind the governor’s “efforts to strengthen, grow, and diversify Maine’s economy.”
“It has been an honor to serve Governor Mills and Maine people as Commissioner of Economic and Community Development,” Johnson said in a statement Monday. “Together, despite historic challenges, we have a built stronger, more inclusive Maine economy. I know there is always more work ahead, but I am proud of the progress we have made to strengthen Maine’s economic foundation.”
During her time in office, Johnson created a ten-year plan for Maine’s economic development strategy. In a statement released Monday, Mills explained that Johnson’s plan served as a “foundation” for the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan developed after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan represents Gov. Mills’ plan to invest nearly $1 billion in federal funding that was intended to help Maine recover from the effects of the government lockdowns.
Over the past several years, this program has distributed more than $211 million in funding for a variety of initiatives throughout the state, according to Mills.
Johnson also played a key role in establishing the Maine Connectivity Authority, which is tasked with “expand[ing] access to high-speed, reliable, and affordable internet across the state.”
In June of this year, the Maine Connectivity Authority received a $272 million federal grant to support these efforts. According to a press release from the governor’s office, this was the largest grant that the state has ever received for internet expansion.
Johnson also helped “develop and secure passage” of Mills’ Free Community College initiative, which led to record enrollment in the state’s community college system.
Originally designed to aid students who had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was recently extended to include students graduating from high school in 2024 and 2025.
During the first wave of the program, approximately 6,400 students are estimated to have attended community college in Maine tuition-free.
This most recent extension is expected to represent a roughly $15 million investment by the state.
Johnson was further involved in the effort to overhaul Maine’s business incentive program by establishing the Dirigo Business Incentive, which was intended to encourage business owners to train more people, as well as by creating targeted tax cuts to encourage growth in “promising, high-value sectors.”
Relatedly, Johnson helped develop the Maine Career Exploration program to connect young people with paid work experiences. Since launching in 2022, the program is said to have helped around 6,000 participants find such opportunities.
Prior to this role, Johnson served as the Director of the ConnectME Authority, where she was tasked with expanding access to broadband internet statewide.
“Heather’s leadership has been instrumental in bringing about Maine’s unprecedented economic growth. Her vision and work not only helped Maine’s economy survive the pandemic, but also thrive in its recovery,” Mills said in a Monday press release announcing Johnson’s intended departure.
“As Commissioner, Heather has helped innovative entrepreneurs start businesses that provide good-paying jobs to Maine people, helped attract new businesses to our state, brought forward great ideas like Free Community College, and pushed for universal internet connectivity for Maine people,” said Mills. “A resident and champion of rural Maine, Heather has worked tirelessly to create jobs and grow opportunity in every corner of our state. I am proud to call Heather a friend, and grateful for her partnership in our work to make Maine the best place to live, work, start a business, and raise a family.”
A reason for Johnson’s departure was not provided in the press release published Monday by the governor’s office.
An Acting Commissioner will be named by the governor prior to Johnson’s departure in the coming months if a permanent replacement has not yet been selected.
Any candidate for commissioner will be subject to a hearing before the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee and will need to be confirmed by the Maine State Senate.
Click Here to Read the Full Press Release
What has she done?
“strengthen, grow, and diversify Maine’s economy.” One out of three I guess, Certainly diversified the welfare system.
“Heather’s leadership has been instrumental in bringing about Maine’s unprecedented economic growth”, said Mills. YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!
Well MW, there is another take on this. Even IF she is totally left but has some working knowledge of economics, she would be smart enough to see that Mill & her entire apparatus makes her job Impossible & thus trashing her career. GET OUT would be the mart thing to do. She also sees, like the rest of us the Trump Wave coming that will make Mills & her entire apparatus look like Dog S soon, nationally. GET OUT NOW would be a smart move.