In 2000, a tech entrepreneur who dreamed of helping low-income young adults build solid career paths founded a unique school. Since then he has been changing minds about what people need to succeed.

In Maine's Kennebec and Somerset counties, the Progressive Alliance for Careers and Training is working to create employment opportunities and spur economic growth. Jennifer DeChant of Coastal Enterprises, Inc., highlights some of the program's successes to date.

Economic development often founders on a mismatch between available workforce skills and companies’ needs. A tool that analyzes critical sets of labor market data not previously considered in tandem can help local governments improve planning.