In his latest state of the city address, Mayor Mark Dion urged officials to cut delays between housing project approvals and shovels going into the ground.
The Maine Office of Community Affairs offers a "single place to navigate state programs that support revitalization, housing, broadband, resilience and community development,” said one town manager.
The grants are expected to create jobs in trail design, construction and maintenance and revenue from materials purchases. Maine’s trail systems are considered critical for the outdoor economy.
If passed, the legislation would boost funding for soil and water testing, monitor PFAS levels in individuals’ blood, and upgrade equipment to help farmers stay profitable.
The city of Portland has joined forces with the nonprofit Gulf of Maine Research Institute to protect the working waterfront to position Maine’s largest city as a national leader in coastal climate adaptation.
The deal, announced earlier this year, would give a nonprofit acquirer sole ownership of all Central Maine Healthcare services and facilities, including Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.