Last month GrowSmart Maine hosted a “Commercial Strip Convening”, bringing together representatives from 10 communities, Sustain Southern Maine participants, and several others who are working on commercial strip projects in Maine.  A shared interest...

We strongly support the relief of property taxes for Maine residents. This benefits both Mainers and our communities. We appreciate that there are specific components directed at the unique challenges of Maine’s service center communities. I would add that the Fund for Efficient Delivery of Local and Regional Services should be funded more fully than the million dollars in the current proposal. Success builds on success, and early local efforts at regional collaboration and efficiencies will be models for other communities and other regions across the state. We have learned that a top-down required consolidation is not a lasting solution. Empower communities to find their own solutions.
We also strongly support the significant reduction in income taxes. This will improve the quality of life for Mainers and Maine-based businesses, most of which pay income taxes within the individual tax return of the owner. A lower income tax rate is also a powerful business attraction tool, because income taxes are considered as facility locations are evaluated. As important as our quality places are in recruiting businesses and individuals, lower income tax is vital as well.

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. Fair and consistent regulations are a key component of this effort, but this bill does not achieve this goal. We believe this bill will work in direct conflict with those objectives. I say this, acknowledging the real concerns of landowners. But this is not the solution.

GrowSmart Maine Elects New Board Members at Annual Meeting BRUNSWICK - GrowSmart Maine hosted their Annual Meeting this Tuesday, December 11th at the Inn at Brunswick Station in Brunswick. After guided tours of the newly redeveloped Brunswick Station, most recent...

I am a conservation planner for The Nature Conservancy, a global non-governmental, non-profit, conservation organization. My job is to identify, strategize and measure conservation opportunities and outcomes where we work. My work overlaps GrowSmart's mission in...

With the Summit over and the election decided, Bruce Katz and Brookings Metro are taking on the transition and the next phase of governing.  In the face of the jobs deficit, opportunity gap and looming fiscal cliff, they are launching a post-election policy...

As a municipal grant writer, a forestry outreach coordinator and a freelance journalist, I had a problem choosing which breakout session to attend since almost all 20 of the sessions would have been interesting to me. What inspired me most about Summit 2012 was the...

  When we moved to Maine six years ago, we did so for the quality of life. We wanted to raise our children in a healthier atmosphere, somewhere with clean air, water, and lots of snow. We knew after visiting several places in Maine that there was something...

On Tuesday, November 6th, you will have the opportunity to vote on four bond issues.  Each of these bonds was approved by a two-thirds vote in the Maine House and Senate.  They now require majority support of Maine voters.   We believe each of these...

  Less than two weeks `til Summit 2012 - have you registered?  If not, here's the 3rd reason you should join us in Augusta on October 23! #3!   TOURISM, THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Maine’s uniquely beautiful environment has always been a...