The Civil Society Workshop will meet on Thursday, October 10 at 12:30 pm for a discussion with

Prof. John Casey, 

Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

Baruch College, CUNY

“Nonprofit Downhill Skiing in Maine: Analysis of a Mixed Industry”

Abstract. This paper focuses on the shifting landscapes of collaborations in mixed industries, and the decisions made around the provision of services through the public, private or nonprofit sectors. The paper analyses the history of the involvement of the three sectors in the provision of downhill skiing as a mixed industry in Maine, USA, and explores the implications for the future of public service.

To most people, skiing conjures up images of the glitterati schussing down the slopes of high-end resorts. At first sight, it seems to be a quintessentially private service that is offered at a premium by for-profit businesses. Yet, in Maine, of the 19 currently operating downhill ski areas, 11 are owned or operated by 501c3 nonprofits, (3 of the ski areas are owned by the local towns but operated by nonprofit organizations), in effect providing a public service. Throughout the US there are ski areas owned and operated by governments and nonprofits, but NAICS statistics indicate that Maine has the highest proportion. This paper analyzes what this market niche tells us about the collaboration between sectors in mixed industries, and explores the implications for the future of public service.

Room: Political Science Thesis Room, room 5200.07

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