Current Legislative Testimony
Learn about GrowSmart Maine’s testimony for various Smart Growth topics below.
PLANNING FOR AG
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
EQUITY
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
CLIMATE & ENERGY
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
BROADBAND
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
REGIONAL & LAND USE PLANNING
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
BUDGETS & BONDS
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1931
An Act to Foster Stable and Affordable Home Ownership in Mobile Home Parks by Amending the Laws Relating to the Sale of Mobile Home Parks
Funding opportunity for conservation of ag lands!
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP...
Kennebec County Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan
GrowSmart Maine and the Kennebec County Digital Equity Working Group submitted to Maine Connectivity Authority a Digital Equity and Digital Inclusion Plan. This is the first draft of a working plan to understand the barriers people face in connecting to our digital...
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 54
An Act to Require Compliance with Natural or Agricultural Resource Protection Ordinances
In Support of LD 492
An Act to Repurpose Vacant Shopping Mall and Retail Space to Mixed-use Housing and Retail
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1739
An Act to Extend Development District Tax Increment Financing Districts
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
TRANSPORTATION
In Support of LD 1934
Resolve, to Improve the Coordination and Delivery of Planning Grants and Technical Assistance to Communities in Maine
In Support of LD 1864
An Act to Increase Maine’s Housing Supply by Prohibiting Certain Zoning Requirements in Areas Where Public Sewer and Water Infrastructure Are Available and in Designated Growth Areas
In Support of LD 1673
An Act to Encourage Affordable Housing and Mixed-use Development by Establishing a Thriving Corridors Program
In Support of LD 1810
An Act to Expand the Maine Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
In Support of LD 1787
Resolve Directing the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to convene a stakeholder group tasked with a Comprehensive overhaul and modernization of the State Subdivision Statutes
In Support of LD 1752
Resolve, to Prepare Pre Approved Building Types
In Support of LD 1711
An Act to Provide for Safe Roadway Construction Design Criteria
In Support of LD 1556
A Resolve to Establish a Vision Zero Task Force to Recommend Strategies to Achieve the Goal of Eliminating Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries
In Support of LD 1559
An Act to Advance the State’s Public Transit Systems by Reinvigorating the Public Transit Advisory Council and Increasing Funding
In Support of LD 1634
An Act to Grant Municipalities the Authority to Set Certain Lower Motor Vehicle Speed Limits Without a Department of Transportation Speed Study
GENERAL TOPICS
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Support of Increased Options and Access to Transportation
Members of this committee, more than most, understand that transportation infrastructure impacts all aspects of Mainers’ lives; where we live, where we work, how we get between the two as well as to where we recreate and shop. The options available to us also greatly impact our personal health, our household budgets as well as the costs for municipalities as well as state and federal governments.
We support the approach presented in this bill, with a more comprehensive Maine Public Transit Advisory Council and a renewed focus on public transportation. Maine’s population is changing. Our elders are looking for options in where and how they live, more of our young people no longer consider car ownership a necessity but rather a burden, those with disabilities are more engaged than ever in their communities and families work hard in balancing the needs of all their members. In all of these instances, a comprehensive transportation policy, with input from a diverse group of stakeholder groups will make for a stronger, more sustainable Maine.
GrowSmart MaineTestifies in Favor of LD 1172, “An Act to Support the Maine Downtown Center”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in favor of LD 1172, “An Act to Support the Maine Downtown Center” April 22, 2013 Senator Goodall, Representative Berry and members of the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s...
GrowSmart Maine Featured Nonprofit at April Portland Greendrinks
PORTLAND - Over 450 people filled the three vintage and retro treasure-filled floors of the Portland Flea-for-All at 125 Kennebec Street in Portland last Tuesday evening. While the draw of stacks of vinyl records and a rather creepy talking clown contraption is...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Support of Downtown Revitalization
Recommendations to help Downtown Revitalization efforts in Maine Prepared for the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future Senator Goodall, Representative Berry and members of the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 825, “Resolve, To Study Climate Change and Implement the Recommendations of the Department of Environmental Protection Report on Climate Change”
PRESS RELEASE April 4, 2013 GrowSmart Maine 415 Congress St, Suite #204 Portland, ME 04101 207.699.4330 CONTACT: Nancy E. Smith Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in favor of LD 825, “Resolve, To Study Climate Change and...
A Smart Evening in Portland – This Tuesday!
Have you heard of "Greendrinks"? Do you like supporting local businesses, sustainable organizations and making a difference all while hanging out with friends and free local beer (and soda)? Who doesn't!?! Please join us this Tuesday,...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in favor of LD 977, “An Act To Restore Uniformity to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in favor of LD 977, “An Act To Restore Uniformity to the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code” March 28, 2013 Senator Patrick, Representative Herbig and members of the Joint...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Support of Municipal Planning Assistance Allocation in the Governor’s 2014-2015 Biennial Budget
As a part of our commitment to strengthening Maine’s economy, GrowSmart Maine is particularly enthusiastic about well grounded, thoughtful and creative proposals which seek to grow the economy in a sustainable manner while at the same time preserving our state’s unique character and quality of place. It is within this context that I wish to speak in support of one program at the Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 403, “Resolve, To Establish a Task Force on the Establishment of So called Complete Streets Design Guidelines”
Complete Streets are sound financial investments in our communities that provide long-term benefits from investments. An existing transportation budget can incorporate Complete Streets projects with little to no additional funding, through re-prioritizing projects & allocating funds to projects that improve overall mobility. Many of the ways to create more complete roadways are low cost, fast to implement, and make an immediate difference. According to the National Complete Streets Coalition, building sidewalks and striping bike lanes have been shown to create more jobs than traditional car-focused transportation projects.
GrowSmart Maine Testifies Neither For Nor Against LD 695, “An Act To Amend the Site Location of Development Laws”
As Committee members may be aware, in 2011, GrowSmart Maine was asked by this committee to bring together a stakeholder group to address an issue related to Site Law Review, in LD 159. In our role as convener, GrowSmart Maine invited a diverse group of organizations to evaluate the threshold between state and municipal oversight of regionally significant development. The final report, included with this testimony, outlines two recommendations: