Maine Stories | Community Development Digest

Maine Builder Eyes School For Housing

The 74-year-old building has more than 33,000 square feet -- an addition was built in 1949.

King Foundation Provides Services Grants in Maine

Funding supports services to improve community life in Maine. The foundation has a special interest in funding programs helping the underserved. The foundation provides a limited funding for homeless programs and for seniors.

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Case Study: Developing Multifaceted Projects In the Face of Opposition

A collaborative partnership between healthcare provider Mercy Hospital and Community Housing of Maine (CHOM), the largest supportive housing organization for homeless and low-income individuals in Maine, led to a nearly $11 million redevelopment of a former children's hospital in Portland. The bui...

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Maine Proposes $11 Million Investment in Workforce Development

Established at the beginning of the year, the Committee on Maine's Workforce and Economic Future is tasked with addressing the "job skills gap" in the state.

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Maine Senate to Consider Bill Limiting Eminent Domain

Maine state Sen. Doug Thomas (R) is pushing legislation (LR-95) seeking a state constitutional amendment protecting property owners from eminent domain seizures leading to private development. Currently, the state authorizes local governments' use of eminent domain in cases of blight and for use b...

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Maine Governor Moves More Bonds to Aid Development

Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) signs a memorandum authorizing release of $375,000 in bonds no later than June 20, 2015, to the town of Skowhegan. The measure will provide local officials with alternatives to finance renovations to a downtown parking lot until the bonds are released. LePage had come und...

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Maine Governor Attacked over Bond Development

Democratic lawmakers in Maine harshly criticize Gov. Paul LePage (R) over what they view is a partisan move to jumpstart development projects in a Republican areas of the state after initially refusing to authorize $3.5 million in voter-backed bonds for 11 other Maine communities. In June, LePage s...

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State and Local Briefs

Maine: The Aroostook County Action Program Inc. (ACAP) receives certification as a Community Development Entity (CDE), making it eligible for Community Development Financial Institutions Fund money from the Treasury Department. As a result, ACAP can benefit from are the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC...

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State and Local Briefs

California: Officials in Ridgewood are discussing updating city codes to streamline business development. Among the items under consideration is allowing use of parcel maps by developers instead of the more expensive site maps the code requires. City officials have been unable to update the code in ...

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ME Certifies Business-Friendly Communities

Maine makes it first business-friendly certifications to nine communities as state officials continue to encourage development statewide. Gov. Paul LePage (D) and state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) officials announce their selections June 6. The certified communities --...

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