On April 17, residents of the Lakes Region will get a chance to hear about the Brookings Institution report that Gov. John Baldacci describes as “not just a blueprint to improve our economy, but a way to lift the extensive pessimism that permeates this state.”

Alan Caron, president and founder of GrowSmart Maine, which sponsored the Brookings Report entitled “Charting Maine’s Future,” will speak on Tuesday, April 17 from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. at the Route 302 Roadhouse Restaurant in West Bridgton.

A free breakfast buffet will be provided at the event, which is sponsored by the Lakes Environmental Association and the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Initially planned for February, Caron’s talk was rescheduled because of a snowstorm.

“We want growth but we don’t want Maine to look like Everyplace, USA,” Caron said recently. “It’s not an either/or thing.”

Released last October, the report has special meaning for the Lakes Region, because a key recommendation is the creation of a Quality Places Bond, which would recapitalize the Land for Maine’s Future program, provide grants to revitalize Maine’s communities and make other key investments to protect Maine’s unique character.

These programs enhance and protect our communities, waterfronts, farms and forests – the quality places that the Brookings Institution identified as driving our tourism industry and attracting the mobile workforce that will grow our state’s economy.

This event is free, open to the public and includes the free breakfast buffet thanks to financial support from the Maine Office of Tourism. Seating is limited so reserve today by e-mailing lakes@megalink.net or calling 647-8580.