Broadband internet is as essential for community resiliency as are dependable roads, electricity and public safety. These services provide foundation for people to live, work and enjoy a basic quality of life. Rural places in Maine are finding creative solutions to a fundamental challenge: lack of density in population reduces the financial feasibility for the…
By Rachel Bouvier of rbouvier consulting. Sustainability has become a buzzword in certain circles but what exactly does the word mean? In the economic development sector, a sustainable economy is one that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet theirs. Even that definition is full…
Earlier this week, GrowSmart Maine was in Brewer for the Public Hearing of the Land Use Planning Commission, which acts as the Planning Board for 10 million acres in the Unorganized Territories. The public hearing on rules related to adjacency, which dictates that new development must be “adjacent” to similar sites, was nearly four hours…
June 20, 2018 To Members of the Maine Land Use Planning Commission, In testimony from the April hearing, attached here, I outlined GrowSmart’s concerns related to proposed revisions to the LUPC adjacency rule. While GrowSmart appreciates the need to improve the current adjacency “one-mile rule” we offer recommendations to minimize development outside of areas not…
Upcoming Workshop 5/8/18, Augusta – Rising Water: Adapting Maine Communities Those in Maine who are lucky enough to live on or in close proximity to the ocean, lakes, rivers and estuaries are challenged by a rising sea level and more intense storms. Everywhere we look storm surges, extreme high tides, and flooding are happening. Join us…
Click here to visit the event page for all the details and registration at the March 26th Forum ‘Growing Farm Friendly Communities’ Here in Maine, everyone can support farmers and farms. Check out the list below for a few ideas! Read your local newspapers, printed or online. Find some exciting workshops you can be involved…
Our March forum ‘Growing Farm Friendly Communities‘ has been postponed due to snow. Join us at the new date: Monday March 26, 8:30-11a, Bowdoinham. Click here to visit the event page for all the details and registration! This Forum is a chance to learn from and discuss with leading Mainers the subject of farm friendly…
The Second Regular Session of the 128th Maine State Legislature is well underway and GrowSmart Maine has taken an active role in securing passage of those select bills which would directly work to protect and build the future of Maine’s way of life, economy and infrastructure in a sustainable manner that benefits all Maine citizens. …
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 1815 February 15, 2018 Senator Hamper, Representative Gattine and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, my name is Nancy Smith and I am the Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine. We are a statewide non-partisan, non-profit, membership-based organization working…
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 1798 February 13, 2018 Senator Woodsome, Representative Berry and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, my name is Nancy Smith and I am the Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine. We are a statewide non-partisan, non-profit, membership-based organization working…