Sometimes, when a person retires, they relocate to the place they love.

I’m already here.

As I retire from GrowSmart Maine, the closest comparison I have is to the feeling when a child goes off to college; and since I’ve been known to refer to GrowSmart as my fourth kid, that makes sense. This change is everything I could hope for, and something we’ve been planning for a long time. It’s good and it’s exciting!  And just like when a kid leaves home, I’ll be watching from a distance with pride, while using my time, energy, and creativity elsewhere in life. I am releasing GrowSmart to its future knowing the new CEO will bring out the best in its talented and committed staff and board.

The mission of GrowSmart Maine is as relevant, and perhaps more urgent as when the organization was founded 22 years ago. Navigating change in alignment with smart growth is critical given the new challenges and opportunities facing Maine communities. How to navigate a significant influx of people following the pandemic, as so many are choosing to live where they feel most at home. How will we create new and make best use of existing housing stock while keeping Maine’s productive farmland, forest land, and scenic open spaces available to Mainers and visitors alike? We have unanticipated challenges in evaluating appropriate siting and scale of data centers, seeking a process that brings municipalities to the table as equals to the developers to ensure the community benefits as much as other parties do.

GrowSmart Maine is grounded in land use. How we arrange ourselves on the Earth matters. Beyond this, the 2006 Brookings’ “Charting Maine’s Future” call to action has been the foundation of much of our work. Thirteen action steps in which Maine has made so much progress, but that are still relevant today.  Change will happen; and it’s better for communities to choose to steer that change, than have it be something that happens to them.

What difference has GrowSmart Maine made? While we may be two or three degrees of separation away from on-the-ground impact, because of our two decades of work there are more historic buildings restored for new uses, housing is easier to build in areas where it makes sense in the long term, and productive farmland is still available for that purpose. More people have access to broadband and know how to safely use it, and more Mainers have the tools and confidence to, as Bill Kitchen encouraged in Machias, “make here better.”

I know that I am leaving GrowSmart in far better shape in all ways. I also know it will continue to remain a trusted and respected partner with communities and residents, businesses, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations because of the work we do, and how we do it.

My career path could not be more “Maine,” with 45 years’ experience in forestry, farming, the legislature, and nonprofit leadership. It has provided me with a Master’s degree in Maine, and I believe I have given back in determination and humor, intelligence and compassion. I’m leaving with a deeper love and appreciation for Maine and Mainers. I am looking forward to “making here better” in my own piece of Maine, and continuing to connect with people who are doing the same. Because what matters most, and what we can make happen in how we grow our communities, is that the people who live here feel safe, feel they belong, and feel they can thrive.