Maine’s economy depends on smart foreign aid – Portland Press Herald

March 29, 2025 | By Captain Jim Settele, USN (Ret.), Executive Director of the School of Policy and International Affairs at the University of Maine

“While there is an ongoing debate on the role of government in international affairs, one thing is clear: Maine businesses, farmers and families rely on international assistance programs. These programs do more than just help those in need overseas. They create real benefits for Maine’s economy, from job creation to long-term financial stability… And having served in the U.S. Navy for more than 27 years, I’ve also seen firsthand the value of strong international relationships, not just for our national security but also for economic prosperity. For those skeptical about the need for international assistance programs and foreign aid in general, it is essential to understand how reducing these programs has directly harmed and will continue to harm our state.”