Past GrowSmart Maine Testimony
Past Legislative Testimony
Equity
Climate/Energy
Support for LD 1752, Resolve, To Analyze the Impact of Sea Level Rise
Broadband
Support of LD 221, Support of ConnectMaine Funding in Biennial Budget
Support of Tim Schneider’s nomination for the Maine Connectivity Authority
Housing
Support of LD 1240, Resolve To Review Barriers to Regional Solutions for Housing Choices
Support of LD 1257, To Encourage Inclusionary Zoning in Municipalities by Increasing Revenue Sharing
Historic Preservation
Letter of Support to Maine Government Oversight Committee of OPEGA Report on Historic Tax Credits
Regional/Land Use Planning
Support of the Governor’s Change Package to LD 221 Part A, Section 1 of LD 221, Exec Dept (p 62)
Support of LD 446, An Act to Reestablish the State Planning Office
Support of LD 1694, An Act To Create the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority
Budget and Bonds
Support of LD 221, Support of ConnectMaine Funding in Biennial Budget
Support of the Governor’s Change Package to LD 221 Part A, Section 1 of LD 221, Exec Dept (p 62)
Support of LD 1733, An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State
Fiscal Recovery Funds
Testimony in support for Governor Mills’ Change Package to LD 221
Equity
Support of LD 2003 “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”
Support of LD 2003, “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”
Support of LD 1961 “An Act To Help Alleviate Maine’s Housing Shortage and Change the Membership of the Maine State Housing Authority”
GrowSmart Maine is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that helps communities navigate change in alignment with smart growth. Fundamental to this is equitable access to housing choices, something we have seen particularly at risk in the most recent few years with the extraordinary influx of people who appreciate our quality of place.
Support of LD 906 “An Act To Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Drinking Water”
A bill that would ensure tribal sovereignty and plentiful, safe drinking water.
Support of LD 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”
The intersection of LD 1626 and our mission relates to land use and natural resource management. Restoring their self-determination is a tangible recognition of the Wabanaki tribes’ long history of sound and thoughtful stewardship of lands and natural resources. As...
Climate & Energy
Support of LD 1970 “An Act To Implement Agency Recommendations Relating to Sea Level Rise and Climate Resilience Provided Pursuant to Resolve 2021, Chapter 67”
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 1616 “An Act To Enhance the Ability of Municipalities to Address Climate Change Impacts by Protecting and Restoring Threatened Natural Resources”
Read the full testimony here.
In Opposition to LD 1392 “An Act To Allow Municipalities To Opt Not To Enforce the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine, in opposition to LD 1392 “An Act To Allow Municipalities To Opt Not To Enforce the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code” April 26, 2017 Senator Volk, Representative Fecteau and members of the Joint...
Testimony in Opposition to LD 161,“An Act to Ban the United Nations Agenda 21 in Maine”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in opposition to LD 161, “An Act to Ban the United Nations Agenda 21 in Maine” April 9, 2015 Senator Burns, Representative Hobbins and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. My...
Broadband
Neither For Nor Against LD 1894 “An Act To Support Municipal Broadband Infrastructure through Incentives and Competition”
Read the full testimony here.
Support of Andrew Butcher for President of Maine Connectivity Authority
Read the full testimony here.
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Support of LD 520, To Fund Improved Broadband Service in Underserved Areas
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 520 January 10, 2018 Senator Hamper, Representative Gattine and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, my name is Nancy Smith and I am the...
Testimony in Favor of LD 826, “An Act To Promote Maine’s Economic Development and Critical Communications for Rural Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investments in High-speed Internet”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 826 “An Act To Promote Maine's Economic Development and Critical Communications for Rural Family Farms, Businesses and Residences by Strategic Public Investments in High-speed...
Affordable Housing
In Support of LD 128, An Act to Support Permitting of Certain Multifamily Housing Developments Under the Site Location of Development Laws
In Support of LD 128, An Act to Support Permitting of Certain Multifamily Housing Developments Under the Site Location of Development Laws
In support of LD 606, Resolve, To Study Barriers To Financial Assistance Programs For Farmers And Food Producers
In Support of LD 606, Resolve, To Study Barriers To Financial Assistance Programs For Farmers And Food Producers
In Support of LD 603, An Act To Ensure That The Exemption Of Certain Agricultural Buildings From The Maine Uniform Building And Energy Code Includes Maple Sugarhouses
In Support of LD 603, An Act To Ensure That The Exemption Of Certain Agricultural Buildings From The Maine Uniform Building And Energy Code Includes Maple Sugarhouses
In support of LD 427, An Act to Prohibit Mandatory Parking Space Minimums in State and Municipal Codes
Build Maine/GrowSmart Maine Joint Testimony in support of LD 427, An Act to Prohibit Mandatory Parking Space Minimums in State and Municipal Codes.
In Support of LD 659, An Act To Reduce Housing Costs By Not Requiring Fire Sprinkler Systems For Single-Family Homes And Duplexes
Testimony of Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine In Support of LD 659, An Act To Reduce Housing Costs By Not Requiring Fire Sprinkler Systems For Single-Family Homes And Duplexes
In Support of LD 435, An Act to Expand the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit
Testimony of Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 435, An Act to Expand the Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit March 5, 2025 Senator Grohoski, Representative Cloutier, and Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on...
In Support of LD 546, Resolve, to Require the Preparation of Preapproved Building Types
Testimony of Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine In Support of LD 546, Resolve, to Require the Preparation of Preapproved Building Types March 4, 2023 Senator Curry, Representative Gere and Honorable Members of the Joint Select Committee on Housing and...
NONPROFIT MEMORANDUM or An Open Letter to Members of the 119th Congress
NONPROFIT MEMORANDUM or An Open Letter to Members of the 119th Congress
In support of LD 146, An Act To Increase The Maximum Amount Of The Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit That May Be Taken In A Year
In support of LD 146, An Act To Increase The Maximum Amount Of The Historic Property Rehabilitation Tax Credit That May Be Taken In A Year
In support of Public Transportation Components in LD 258, Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and LD 259, Highway Fund for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 (Part D Maine Office of Community Affairs and Maine Development Ready Commission)
In support of Public Transportation Components in LD 258, Biennial Budget for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 and LD 259, Highway Fund for Fiscal Years 2024-2025 (Part D Maine Office of Community Affairs and Maine Development Ready Commission)
Historic Preservation
Support of LD 1961 “An Act To Help Alleviate Maine’s Housing Shortage and Change the Membership of the Maine State Housing Authority”
GrowSmart Maine is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit organization that helps communities navigate change in alignment with smart growth. Fundamental to this is equitable access to housing choices, something we have seen particularly at risk in the most recent few years with the extraordinary influx of people who appreciate our quality of place.
Support of LD 1995 Supplemental Budget Part Z336, Housing Opportunity Program, within Dept of Economic and Community Development
Read the full testimony here.
Opposition to LD 1884 “An Act To Create Affordable Agricultural Homesteads”
Read the full testimony here.
Testimony in support of LD 1205, 931
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 1205, 931 June 5, 2015 Senator Hamper, Representative Rotundo and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, my name is Nancy Smith and I am the...
Regional & Land Use Planning
Support of LD 2003 “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”
Support of LD 2003, “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions”
Support of LD 1995 Supplemental Budget Parts Z237 Geology and Resources Information, Z236 Land Use Planning Commission, within Dept of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 1995 Supplemental Budget Part Z336, Housing Opportunity Program, within Dept of Economic and Community Development
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 906 “An Act To Provide Passamaquoddy Tribal Members Access to Clean Drinking Water”
A bill that would ensure tribal sovereignty and plentiful, safe drinking water.
Support of LD 1626 “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”
The intersection of LD 1626 and our mission relates to land use and natural resource management. Restoring their self-determination is a tangible recognition of the Wabanaki tribes’ long history of sound and thoughtful stewardship of lands and natural resources. As...
Opposition to LD 1884 “An Act To Create Affordable Agricultural Homesteads”
Read the full testimony here.
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 328 “An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization” March 1, 2017 Senator David, Representative Martin and members of the Joint...
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in favor of LD 220, “An Act Relating to Maine Farm Wineries” March 2, 2011
The proposals outlined in LD 220 to allow holders of farm winery licenses to sell wine at farmers’ markets and to display up to 25 bottles of wine in a shop window are common sense ideas which will empower local farmers while at the same time supporting local businesses. These proposed changes to Maine law are small but significant examples of how the Legislature can act to continue to support and promote local agriculture and small businesses within the State of Maine.
Budgets & Bonds
Support of LD 1995 Supplemental Budget Parts Z237 Geology and Resources Information, Z236 Land Use Planning Commission, within Dept of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 1996 Supplemental Budget In support of the funding proposal for MaineDOT’s Multimodal Transportation Fund, Section Z017, and Highway and Bridge Capital Section 0604, page A154
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 1995 Supplemental Budget Part Z336, Housing Opportunity Program, within Dept of Economic and Community Development
Read the full testimony here.
Support of LD 1733 (SP 577) “An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds”
"An Act To Provide Allocations for the Distribution of State Fiscal Recovery Funds" Signed into law July 19th, 2021 without an Emergency Preamble, so it takes effect in 90-days. GrowSmart Maine testified in support of this bill with a particular focus on...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Support of LD 1815, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Improve Multimodal Facilities, Highways & Bridges
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 1815 February 15, 2018 Senator Hamper, Representative Gattine and members of the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, my name is Nancy Smith and I am the...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies on LD390: An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2019
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine related to of LD 390 “An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government, General Fund and Other Funds and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to...
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Favor of LD 328: An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 328 “An Act to Provide Funds to the Local Government Fund to Encourage Regional Planning and Reorganization” March 1, 2017 Senator David, Representative Martin and members of the Joint...
Testimony in support of LD 1372 “An Act To Encourage the Redevelopment of Upper Floors of Buildings in Downtowns and on Main Streets”
Testimony of Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine in support of LD 1372 “An Act To Encourage the Redevelopment of Upper Floors of Buildings in Downtowns and on Main Streets” May 11, 2015 Senator Volk, Representative Herbig and members...
Suport of LD 22 “An Act to Improve the Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit”
In endorsing this bill which seeks to improve an already innovative economic development program, GrowSmart Maine wished to emphasize that despite its past record of success in providing much-needed start-up capital for businesses in Maine, the Seed Capital Investment Tax Credit Program needs to be expanded to effectively impact the current economic downturn which has resulted in a dearth of new investment capital in Maine. In other words, like most successful programs, this program needs to be adjusted and expanded in a manner which effectively addresses Maine’s intention to promote innovative approaches to improving Maine’s economy.
General
GrowSmart Maine Testifies in Opposition to LD 220 – “An Act to Ban the United Nations Agenda 21 in Maine”
Smart growth, as you can see in my testimony, is quite simply an effort and a set of principles to allow for greater choice and deliberative thinking and planning about our how communities grow, so that we are making most effective use of existing infrastructure and pulling demand away from rural lands for which the “highest and best use” truly is NOT development, but rather farming, forestry, and rural living. I’d ask you to review the ten principles listed as well – these are compatible with our mission, just as I expect they fit with your view of how your community, how Maine should grow. This certainly isn’t something that should be banned in Maine.
Support of LD1 “An Act To Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform”
Rebuilding Maine’s economy is the most important issue of our time. It can be done while continuing to protect and enhance our natural and built environments. Maine’s history is in the asset-based economies of farming, fisheries, and forestry. This heritage, still important in today’s economy, has become “the Maine brand” and is vital to other economic sectors as diverse as tourism and information technology.