Ever wonder who was the first person to start throwing around the phrase Brain Drain? Seriously, how much does that phrase get used, and is it as overused as “synergy,” “like” or “ninja?”

(Then again, can you ever really over-use ninja?)

The “Brain Drain” is something I first started hearing about shortly after coming to Maine, probably because so many people wanted to know what could possible bring a young college graduate to the state (which in turn made me wonder if there was something wrong with Maine that no one had told me about – toxic swamps, zombies, ancient Indian burial grounds, etc.).

The drain in this case is the popular opinion that young people can’t leave Maine fast enough because of a lack of jobs and educational opportunities. Why stay here when there’s no school that has a top-flight culinary program? Why stick around when you’ve got an anthropology degree and some of the only places hiring come with a nametag?

A few years back the governor brought together hundreds of young people from around the state to talk about the problem and possible solutions. They called it Realize! Maine. Over the last few years groups have been meeting around the state to talk about how to make Maine more hospitable to young people and consider what opportunities there are for graduates and young professionals.

Today in Augusta, Phase II kicks off with the debut of the new Realize! Maine website, which apparently will offer information for young people looking to come to or stay in Maine.
They’re also holding panel discussions with young business owners on what got them to start up in Maine, and how business is doing. The talks will feature people like Gabrielle Melchionda of Mad Gabs, and Jeremy Usher of Firefly Design.

The event is billed as a party, complete with free food, cash bar and a local band that is sure to play at least one cover song. Also, Gov. John Baldacci is supposed to make a guest appearance.

It may be a bit of a car ride if you’re just curious, but it should be worth checking out, even if it's just to do some light networking and handshaking.

A cynical may ask what exactly committees and panels are going to do to get more young people into Maine, but the best answer is at least someone’s talking about, which is probably a start.

- Speaking of Augusta, this one came in over the hotline late last night: Opportunity Maine looks like a go. Last night the Maine Senate voted in favor of tax credits for college students who stay in Maine, one day after the House voted to approve it as well. All signs point to the governor signing the bill in the next several days. Stay tuned for more as it develops.

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