Since 1982, the Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) has been working with businesses, government, educators, and community leaders to support the development of a robust and balanced economy that benefits the people of Maui County.
Our work toward this goal falls under three pillars:
business assistance - Support new and established businesses in sectors that help diversify our economy
education to workforce - Develop a skilled workforce of residents while working toward economic equity
convening community - Bring diverse groups together to find common ground, collaborate, and move our community forward
MEDB’s focus has shifted over the decades. In the early days, it was all about expanding Maui’s economy beyond tourism, pineapple, and sugarcane. In the 1990s, “high tech” was the buzzword, and we worked to attract businesses based in new technologies. Today, the innovation sector overlaps with every industry in our economy, making it more critical than ever that our residents have the skills and the entrepreneurial mindset to access these opportunities.
We have developed a wide-ranging slate of programs to advance our mission, from K-12 STEM education for our youth; to mentorship and job placement for young professionals; to technical assistance, coaching, and hands-on support for growing businesses; to surveys and focus group research used to inform community decision-making; to successful annual conferences. As a nonprofit organization, we extend the reach of our partners, funders, and stakeholders, helping them to achieve their objectives. Our programs touch every island in Maui County (Maui, Molokai, and Lanai) and beyond.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus shifted once again. We moved quickly to help our economy and local businesses respond to the crisis and stay safe with information and guidance on government relief programs, webinars to support businesses in transition, virtual education, and online networking opportunities.
One thing that has not changed over the years is MEDB’s commitment to developing an economy that truly benefits our community. We believe economic growth is about more than just creating jobs: it is also about safeguarding our natural environment, honoring Native Hawaiian values and our diversity of cultures, and promoting economic equity, where everyone gets an opportunity to benefit.
Just as our islands’ diverse people make up one Maui County, our wide variety of programs and services make up one MEDB. Please learn more about what we do and consider joining us to become part of our work for a brighter future.