The 126th Legislature adjourned sine die, “without day” on May 1st, completing work begun when they first convened in January of 2013.  This short session, intended for budget adjustments and emergency legislation, provided GrowSmart Maine with...

50th to 1st: Ingredients of a Successful Economic Development Plan: How does Maine move to the top of Forbes Magazine's 'Best State to do Business' list?  A primer from away This year's program will feature entrepreneur, angel investor, venture...

On a sunny Tuesday morning in Portland, a diverse group of nearly 40 people filled the lobby of PDT Architects' Dartmouth Street offices, all present to hear how historic preservation tax credits could be used for small projects.  You've all seen the...

- Judy East ~ Executive Director, Washington County Council of Governments Most professional planners bristle when (usually) non-planners boast, "this xyz initiative won't be just another plan that collects dust on a shelf".   Well, I bristle....

The Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature adjourned late last night, having completed all business presented.  They will reconvene Thursday, May 1st, to consider any gubernatorial vetoes and perhaps other business.  It has been a successful session...

April 9, 2014 Dear Member of Congress, Crossing the street shouldn’t mean crossing your fingers. Sadly, every two hours a pedestrian is killed because of unsafe streets—streets built with federal transportation funds, but not necessarily designed and built...

GrowSmart Maine supports a smart economic development bond package. This calls for substantial investments in MTI and the REDRLP. Upon hearing that the Maine Venture Fund was once a part of this proposal but has been removed, I support inclusion of this successful program as well. The Maine Venture Fund provides a public stake which, coupled with such private sector endeavors as the Maine Angels, gives Maine entrepreneurs the support to grow their start-up businesses here in Maine. I encourage you to remember the remarks of Charlie Colgan in his testimony to the committee; low interest rates are still at hand, a bond will support Maine’s small businesses at a time of five consecutive quarters of economic growth. Those sitting on the sidelines are ready to get back into the game and we need provide the capital needed so the best can move forward. This proposal is well-timed for Maine.

The Legislature has been going full speed this month and there’s much to report. The proposal to cap FY15 historic preservation tax credits (HPTC) on a statewide level reared its head once again but in the end, was rejected by the Committee on Appropriations and...

“When environmentalist Tony Grassi takes a crazy gamble to rehab an abandoned Mill, he inspires both skepticism and hope that its revived bond with the river will breathe new life into the rural town of Freedom, Maine. With the help of a colorful team of builders, masons, engineers and architects, he sets out to reconstruct a forgotten historical treasure. Can his 21st century vision of conservation repower this community, and others, which are now welcoming a new generation of young farmers?”

At Maine DOT, better roads and better budget go hand in hand New national report examines state spending on road expansion versus repair CONTACT: Nancy E. Smith, nsmith@growsmartmaine.org, 207.699.4430 x1 Craig Chester, cchester@smartgrowthamerica.org, 202-215-8858...