Proposed Federal Tax Reform Bills Cut Important and Proven Tax Credits: Historic Tax Credit & Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

by gsmoffice | Nov 13, 2017 | Economic development, economy, General, Historic, historic preservation, Nancy Smith, tax credit

This memo was prepared by Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine, and select information was presented at a 11.13.17 Roundtable discussion hosted by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree in Portland, Maine. See bottom of this page for a link to the video of the...

Reinvention without Loss of Identity – Why We Renovate

by gsmoffice | Oct 12, 2017 | efficiency, energy, General, growsmart summit, Historic, historic preservation

By David Webster. There are many reasons for renovating older buildings.  For me, seeing buildings as a major contributor to the character of a place is a reason to renovate rather than replace.  They represent the history of a community; why and how a community...

Update on Making Headway in Your Community: Will We Be in Your Town Next?

by Growsmart Maine | May 19, 2016 | Economic development, economy, grants, GrowSmart, growsmart maine, gsm, Historic, historic preservation, innovation, Maine, Making Headway in Your Community, Nancy Smith, news, planning, projects, Smart growth

Making Headway in Your Community is wrapping up its first full year as a community engagement program, a partnership of the Maine Downtown Center and GrowSmart Maine. GrowSmart Maine and Maine Downtown Center are engaged with communities on the public meeting...

What’s Happening in Augusta

by Growsmart Maine | Feb 19, 2016 | bonds, climate change, denmark, Economic development, economy, efficiency, energy, GrowSmart, growsmart maine, gsm, Historic, historic preservation, legislature, Maine, news, referendum, regulation, tax credit

Legislative committees seem to be holding to a strategy of focusing on those bills with strong bipartisan support.  There are exceptions, but for the most part if a bill does not have strong support in committee, it will not advance this year.  No word still on when...

Smart Growth Forums: 2016 Season

by Growsmart Maine | Jan 21, 2016 | Economic development, economy, efficiency, energy, form based code, GrowSmart, growsmart maine, gsm, Historic, historic preservation, innovation, Maine, news, regulation, Smart growth

GrowSmart Maine’s Smart Growth Forums are back for 2016 – and better than ever! Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store this year: February – A Look into Maine’s Renewable Energy – location TBD Come to our February forum to learn how...

2016 Advocacy Update

by Growsmart Maine | Jan 21, 2016 | climate change, denmark, Economic development, economy, efficiency, energy, GrowSmart, growsmart maine, gsm, Historic, historic preservation, legislature, Maine, news, referendum, regulation, Smart growth, tax credit, transportation

The 127th Maine Legislature is in its Second Regular Session, and GrowSmart Maine is weighing in on bills in several legislative committees, all with an eye towards strengthening and supporting Maine’s economy, communities and environment. We are engaging in several...